A Shortage of Qualified Project Management Professionals

At the beginning of 2009 many people see “unemployment” as an overwhelming problem. However, a lack of resources and human capital is more likely to be the bigger challenge of the 21^st century. The number of experienced project management professionals falls far short of requirements.

Interesting Estimates

As the world’s largest professional project management organization, the Project Management Institute (PMI) estimates there will be a huge shortage of project management professionals. The number was projected to reach the millions within a few years. This is due to the growth of the world economy particularly in so-called developing countries but also because many seasoned professionals are about to retire in the so-called developed countries.

Independent of the actual economic situation, developments of technology add to this trend. They are likely to increase the requirements for professionals that are able to handle interconnected environments, instantaneous communication across organizational, geographical, cultural borders and software applications, along the supply chain.