They have already forwarded an application to the Privy Council (described by one wit as "men in wigs and tights who advise the Queen") and their decision is expected in January 2009. If this progresses to Royal Assent, then they aim to become a Chartered Institution by July 2009, and by the end of April 2010 to have launched both the awarding of the title of ChPP and a Register of Practitioners which they will administer. In historical terms, this is incredibly quick; some professions have waited up to a century to get to that point.
Project Practitioners will first have to satisfy the APM of their competence in line with their framework. Then they must abide by the Code of Conduct and undertake CPD to remain registered. It would be worth reflecting on where that leaves the myriad of project and programme managers aligned to other certifications/institutions. Consider:
(a) Where will that leave project professionals who currently rely on other forms of accreditation, such as PRINCE2/MSP, CITP or CEng, for recognition
(b) Will we all end up having to join another institution (and paying another fee)?
(c) Will the new status replace PRINCE2 / MSP as the lodestone for public-sector PM appointments in the eyes of employers, making those an add-on?
(d) Is project management truly a profession, or is it a skill set?
(e) How long is general recognition likely to take? (Compare the progress to date of CITP, for example.)
(f) Will interest in PROMS-G - now the largest and most successful of the BCS specialist groups - start to wane as we all join APM?
We'd like to hear YOUR views. Comment in the usual way - please...
