Project Management is an Art

Many people across the globe have registered this term “Project Management Is An Art” yet I see lots of people around me who really doesn't realise this fact. Most of management staffs have this idea that “GOOD” project managers can be created by passing some exams and certifying them as Project Managers who will lead a team towards success practically with their recently gained theoretical knowledge.

I would like to register the fact, The word “ART” was associated with Project Management to convey a simple message to people that “ART” cannot be developed by theories or by reading dozens of books. Art is something by itself its UNIQUE, PRACTICAL, CREATIVE, EVOLVING, NATURAL and there are a lot more to say about it.

The tools and techniques used in ART can be enhanced to achieve the excellence of an Artist, But the ART is something that is unique with individualism. That unique ART within an individual was developed with his previous experience with his attitude towards ART,  not he followed some guidelines to perform that ART.

There is a widespread un-certified message that learning tools, techniques of Project Management and Testifying against a set of simple questions made complex will certify a person to become a successful Project Manager, In some cases I have seen well-established companies have included the criteria for Certification as a key mandatory qualification to apply for the Post of project management (“Blindfolded educated illiterates”).

I am not discussing an ideology here rather it's a “Fact” and I believe its better people and government wake up on this issue as this message of employing certified people is spreading like a cancer, very soon you will find yourself in a place where your organizations are infested by "Theoretical People" who can never think practical and you will automatically loose "Creativity, Innovation, Freedom, Practical Approach, Humanism and finally the vision of your company. One day you will ask this question "What am I, and my company is doing?" for sure you will not have answers at that time and no turning back.

The Human Resource Management department should understand this fact to the at most because they will be the key in resource recruitment.

What I wanted to convey?

When a Project Manager or any professional  is recruited he has to be certified,Tested and qualified according to his past experience in what he is expert and how much that would add value to your organization rather than simply setting criteria as certifications is an  mandatory selection criteria, It really proves the maturity and experience in what you are doing. An experienced guy with certifications will be an added value but that certification alone will not bring any benefit to your organization when compared to a guy with more experience in that particular field with no certification.  

The company should be clear about their need's? which will actually bring more value to their company rather than just concentrating on the cosmetic effect of a professional.

With such a kind of certification recruitment attitude I have found most of the companies being so dumb in getting their resource. When there are 10-real expert guys in a particular domain, the HR guys search and find an excellent fake resume just because of their certification cosmetic effect. When Project fails or later on when the functional , program or portfolio managers find these resources to be kicked out, When they question the HR? How this guy was recruited that is where the HR people are actually benefited where they can save their Ass by the statement “All these resources were certified professional”.

Especially I find this kind of blindfolded dumb recruitment policy more in middle eastern areas and now much more in Indian companies.

Hence HR or Management people when you evaluate a Project Manager or any technical resource go by his expertise and proceed to check if this expertise is real to an extent not just by dumb certifications.

Certifications can only give some “Cosmetic” effect to any professional it can not create him to be the best professional.

Note: It doesn't mean that I am against certification or a person who was unable to get one. I have more than 10 Professional certifications (Oracle Partner Network Certified SCM, Oracle Certified Expert (OCE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Information Technology Infrastructure Libriary (ITIL), Lean Six Sigma (LSSGB, Certified Scrum Master)) accrued for the same reasons discussed above, hence I found that certifications can give some cosmetic effect for an professional, rather than certification alone making him as an professional.

Thanks & Regards,

S.Grace Paul Regan