Construction Education

At present, no certification program exists for construction industry project managers (PM's). The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers a widely recognized project manager certification program and has a specific interest group for design and construction. Unfortunately, the PMI certification program is quite generic and is not specific to the construction industry. In recent years, several construction industry associations have discussed developing certification programs for PM's. To date, none of these have materialized. Several years ago, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) evaluated project manager certification. ASFE--Professional Firms Practicing in the Geosciences--is presently considering a certification program for PM's. The Association for Project Managers (APM) has long considered implementing project manager certification. As the only construction industry organization specifically focused on project managers' needs, APM is the natural choice to provide a certification program.

PROBLEMS

Complicating plans to offer a certification program is the diverse nature of the construction industry. Certification must be tailored to the needs of the three main branches of our industry-owner/client staff, design staff end construction staff. While the branches work with each other, they have significant differences. For example, many design firm project managers have only a limited role during the construction phase of a project. For a construction project manager, this phase is where most of their time and effort is spent. In addition, an architectural firm PM works most closely with engineering consultants and the general contractor (GC) while the contractor's project manager works most closely with the project's construction subcontractors and the architect. Further complicating matters has been the proliferation of specialists such as construction managers (CM's), program managers, design/builders, etc. Even within a discipline or client type, great variations in project manager functions and activities exist.

As a result, designing a one size fits all project manager certification program is nearly impossible. Some have argued that there are core activities required of all PM's. These often include scheduling, planning, personnel management, budgeting, etc. It is these types of skills that the PMI certification exam emphasizes. Most construction professionals would argue however, that testing proficiency in these skills must be within the context of the construction industry.

PROGRAM DESIGN

Clearly, a construction industry focused project manager certification program is the better approach. How should such a program be designed? Most certification programs are largely centered on a multiple choice test typically of 100 to 200 questions. While multiple choice is easy to grade, many educators question the validity of this type of test as a method of evaluating comprehension and competence. Additionally, multiple choice fails to measure performance in a primary responsibility of project managers--their ability to communicate in writing.

Nearly all programs have a continuing education requirement to maintain certification. Only a few certification programs have a periodic retesting requirement. Some certification programs require the completion of essays as an addition to the multiple choice questions or as the exam itself. For example, the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) uses an essay type format for part of it's certification process. The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) incorporates the preparation of a written paper as a major element of its certification process.

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

What are the benefits of certification to construction industry project managers? To their employers?

For project managers, there are many benefits to obtaining certification. It provides recognition of a higher level of achievement in PM's chosen field, while also recognizing their proficiency in construction industry project management. Certification enhances a project manager's opportunity for advancement within their current organization and within the construction industry. Certification becomes a benchmark by which those within an organization can measure themselves. Economic opportunities may be enhanced as a result of achieving certification.

For employers, having their project managers obtain certification can be of great importance. Certification can reassure employers of a superior level of performance on the part of current project managers or new hires. Certified project managers can assist design firms and contractors in their marketing by highlighting the higher level of achievement and performance reached by their PM's. Seeking certification encourages existing project managers to strive for this higher level of achievement and performance and encourages continuous improvement.

STRUCTURE OF THE APM PROJECT MANAGER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Developing and maintaining a project manager certification program is an ambitious and costly undertaking for any association. APM has studied certification for several years and formed a standing committee in 1998. A survey of APM members was conducted during the summer of 1998 to determine attitudes towards PM certification; obtain opinions on the program's possible structure, cost and format; and to solicit comments on certification in general. A copy of the questionnaire is included following this article. As a result of these efforts, the following format for the APM certification program was established. The standing committee will continuously monitor the program and make revisions as necessary.

No certification program can test for in-depth knowledge in all project management topics. Our goal is to ensure a higher than average level of accomplishment, encourage further growth of the individual and engender a specific expertise. The APM certification program includes the following components:

1. An essay of at least 2500 words on a specific project management topic must be prepared by all applicants. Footnotes and a bibliography are required. The purpose of the essay is to examine a project manager's ability to communicate information to others, evaluate their research abilities, and foster in-depth learning on a specific topic. Exceptional essays will be reprinted in the APM quarterly journal The Project Manager thus providing additional recognition for select project managers. A committee of several highly qualified individuals will evaluate each essay.

2. A two-year continuing education requirement has been established. APM does not intend to evaluate individual courses or learning activities to determine their appropriateness for meeting this requirement. However, to ensure that the continuing education activity has value, a written report from the certified PM will be required providing information on what they learned from the activity, why they undertook the activity and other relevant material. Twenty hours of continuing education has been established as a minimum requirement during each two-year period. Activities may include in-house programs, college courses, professional seminars and workshops, video tapes, and a wide variety of other resources. In the recent APM certification survey, 89.5% of members supported this component of the program.

3. A detailed application is required. This application requires information on specific project management accomplishments and specific projects they have managed. An applicant will have one year from the date the application is received by APM to complete all parts of the certification process. Failure to meet this deadline will require refilling, paying all fees and beginning the process again.

4. Written references, provided confidentially, are required. These references must be sent directly to APM and will not be accepted from the applicant. Each reference must provide information on the applicant's accomplishments and performance.

5. Minimum levels of professional and project management experience have been established. The Committee has established a 10-year construction industry and a 5-year project management experience level requirement before an applicant may seek certification. The 10-year and 5-year periods may be concurrent. These were the median levels recommended by APM members.

6. An initial fee of $175 has been established for those seeking certification. This non-refundable fee must be submitted at the time of application. A biennial renewal fee of $100 has been established to maintain certification. Applicants failing to obtain certification may resubmit one additional time without incurring a new application fee of $175. APM members receive a $25 discount off application fees. Non members receive a one-year APM membership upon successfully completing the certification process.

Current plans are for the APM Project Manager Certification Program to begin in mid-1999. All APM Project Manager Certification Program material is available on the APM web site at www.constructioneducation.com. APM is also considering a higher level certification program for the future. This may be similar to fellowship level programs offered by a number of professional associations for outstanding individuals. Development of this program will be deferred until the success of the certification program is evaluated.

Howard Birnberg is the Executive Director of the Association for Project Managers. He may be reached at (773) 472-1777; fax: (773) 525-0444; e-mail: apm1@ix.netcom.com.

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