Thank you to our Sponsors:
International Project Management Day
November 4th, 2010
“The dream as conceived by PMI ® 35 years ago has not yet been achieved. Until project management becomes accepted as a strategic necessity and perceived as the ultimate method to promote collaboration, improve productivity, and increase efficiency, the work is not done. And there is nothing more fun than doing that work” … Frank P. Saladis PMP
I was inspired by a quote made by Bill Gates and modified it for project management.
The international project management day is intended to encourage project based organizations worldwide or organizations who utilize project management methodologies to schedule some type of recognition event within their organizations or coordinated locally with others to truly demonstrate appreciation for the achievements of project managers and their teams.
The Importance of Recognition, Acknowledgment, and Saying Thank You.
Dear Colleagues,
Something that has always been in my thoughts, especially while I am traveling and have a few moments of down time, is the basic fact that, in most organizations I have worked with, project managers do not seem to receive fair recognition for the work they do. Certainly the project sponsor and maybe a few stakeholders will offer some type of thanks or appreciation upon the completion of a successful project but generally, the people who are the actual target audience of the project deliverables often go about their daily operations without any thought about how the new system that has improved their well being was provided or how their new cafeteria was designed and built, or their newly expanded parking lot was completed.
There are countless examples of projects that are completed without even a moment’s pause to celebrate the success and thank those who completed the work. As we approach International Project Management Day, 4 November, 2010 it is important to take time and think about the contributions of the many thousands of project managers and teams who work diligently and with care and professionalism to provide us with many items we take for granted.
Everyone has gazed in awe at a breathtaking city skyline or experienced the thrill of an amusement park roller coaster or enjoyed a great movie. These are but a few examples of project management that touch our lives daily. Tom Peters, a well known management guru, often stated that “all work is project work.” If you think about your work environment or your home environment you will soon notice that you are surrounded by projects. We initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close (to some extent) just about everything we set out to do.
Of course, not every project is successful, but even in those that don’t meet their objectives, we can find lessons learned and ways to improve. It is my sincere belief that all successful project managers should be recognized for their leadership, ability to create high performing teams, sense of purpose, and willingness to keep moving forward even during the most trying of times.
International Project Management Day provides an excellent opportunity to do just that. Recognition of project teams and acknowledgment of people who do great things are key factors associated with the project manager position and I strongly urge all managers, project sponsors, project executives, and peer groups to think of some way, regardless or how simple it may be, to show appreciation for those who deliver on the expectations that have been set.
There's a wide variety of ways to observe International Project Management Day. On the one hand these can include formal events like internal company meetings, presentations about the value of project management, recognition breakfasts, lunches or receptions honoring project teams, local government recognition or proclamation, coordinated professional association events or recognition at a previously scheduled project management event. On the other hand, informal events can also be meaningful and enjoyable. For example, you could just go out to lunch with other project managers you work with and talk about what contributions project management has made to your organization and what positive steps you could take to advance its practice and contributions.
However large or small, elaborate or simple an observation may be possible in your circumstances, we urge you to find some way to recognize the value that project management and project managers make to your enterprise on International Project Management Day 2010.
Purpose:
Project Objective: Increase the awareness of the value of project management within the large business, government, small business, and social communities and promote project management as a true profession and key business strategy. This includes, but is not limited to: construction, information technology, entertainment, government, aeronautics, health care, ecology, social, disaster recovery, community improvement, and quality of life projects.
Project Deliverables: Local events planned and executed by organizations who wish to recognize project managers and project teams for their contributions. Suggested events: internal company meetings, presentations about the value of project management, recognition breakfasts, lunches or receptions honoring project teams, local government recognition or proclamation, coordinated Project Management professional association events (PMI, IPMA, AIPM, etc.)or recognition at a previously scheduled project management event.
Goal:
Worldwide recognition of the many project managers and project teams in every industry including non profit organizations and health care who contribute their time, energy, creativity, innovation, and countless hours to deliver products, services, facilities, and provide emergency and disaster recovery services in every city and community around the world.
The international project management day is intended to encourage project based organizations worldwide or organizations who utilize project management methodologies to schedule some type of recognition event within their organizations or coordinated locally with others to truly demonstrate appreciation for the achievements of project managers and their teams.
