In the 21st century professional project management has developed rapidly from a suite of formal processes and procedures (often used with an in-house project framework) to a more adaptable approach that combines the more traditional approaches with the agile approach initially developed for software development projects. Project managers now have a very well-defined career path via internationally recognised qualifications and accreditation from professional bodies such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), The Association for Project Management (APM) and PRINCE2 (Projects In a Controlled Environment). Training courses for project managers are readily available to enable those seeking professional recognition of their skills and experience to achieve the necessary credentials. At the peak of their careers project managers can (since 2017) also achieve chartered status via the APM.
Where once projects were occasional undertakings compared to business-as-usual activities, increasingly we see the focus of business activity switching to a project-centric model. Organisations are in an almost constant state of change as they seek to capitalise on rapidly emerging new technologies and greater market forces for change. Developing a project management capability that can reliably and consistently deliver the projects needed to succeed in the 21st century is now paramount. Many major organisations now expect their people to have the right project management qualifications as well as relevant experience.
