New Popularity for Project Managers

f you have a track record in successfully managing large programs, government agencies soon will be beating a path to your door. Publication of the "Capital Programming Guide" ushers in an era of need for project managers, according to OMB Controller G. Edward DeSeve.

As he travels the government hawking the new guide, DeSeve will push for better training in running large projects, especially the acquisition of services and capital assets. "More and more we're going to be in the contractor management business," DeSeve says. "We're not going to be in the business of managing federal employees." That means the personnel system will have to bend to award promotions based not only on people management, but on project management skills.

The focus on project management shines a spotlight on the American Project Management Forum formed last year by the leading organizations of project managers. The forums are day-long meetings of people from federal agencies and the private sector interested in discussing hot topics in project management policies, practices and experiences. They are sponsored by the Project Management Institute, the Performance Management Association and the National Contract Management Association, the Defense Systems Management College Alumni Association. Forums have focused on information technology project management and the "Capital Programming Guide." For information on future forums, contact Dorothy Hamilton at the Project Management Institute (610) 734-3330, ext. 1046.