Why the World Needs More Project Managers

Sponsored by Curtin University

In the US, high-performing organizations successfully complete 89 percent of their projects, while low performers complete only 36 percent, according to the US Project Management Institute. Clearly, successful organisations understand the huge value a project manager adds.

In a fast and competitive world, industries of all kinds are heavily focusing on efficiency, accountability and quality. Whether it’s construction, IT, oil and gas, law, healthcare or management, the world’s sustainable growth relies, more and more, on successful development.

So, whatever the project, wherever in the world, an emphasis on keeping things on track and performing efficiently and on budget is paramount. For that, a well-qualified, smart and versatile project manager is worth their weight in gold.

Who was fired and why?

If one thing is learned from reality television shows, such as, ‘The Apprentice’, it’s that a great project manager equals a successful project outcome.

Sadly, project management is often seen as an unnecessary overhead, or simply a paperwork headache that gets in the way of progress. Sadder still, it’s one of those things that looks easy – until you try it.

The thing about good project management though, is that it’s only apparent when it’s missing, because project managers are the people who brilliantly organize the enormous chaos of a project into seamless, smooth and streamlined order.

What’s your superpower?

Both the Australian and global demand for project management qualifications and skills is growing rapidly across all industries. Pursuing specific postgraduate studies, such as Curtin University’s courses, puts you firmly in command as you master a wide range of practical organizational, leadership, analysis and time management skills among many others.

Here are just some of the superpowers you’ll need to take into the world to be a successful project manager:

• Saving time. Meeting deadlines and achieving objectives, often for several stakeholders, delivering a domino effect of positive outcomes.
• Saving money. Maximizing available resources and working within budgets gives projects a distinct advantage. For every $1 billion invested in the US, $122 million is wasted due to lack of project performance (PMI).
• Managing risk. Understanding a raft of risks on a project and planning for them is key to minimizing everything, from failure to accidents and injuries.
• Managing quality. Every smart organization pursues excellence. Great project managers have the ability to understand that it’s reliability which drives real improvement, leading to greater success.
• Managing change. Preventing negative organizational stress matters. Projects involve people, so Curtin’s courses cover not only organizational structure, but also elements of project management such as dealing with human perceptions, understanding personality traits, motivation and leadership abilities, utilising group processes and conducting performance appraisals.
• Managing integration. Projects don’t happen in a vacuum, so a great project manager has the power to successfully pull many competing and often disparate processes and systems together to achieve common goals and success.
• Amassing and using knowledge. Projects are exceptionally varied, so having to manage them calls for the unique ability to take in vast amounts of knowledge that can be innovatively applied to drive improvement in all business areas.

Want to find out more?

The good news about project management superpowers is that an internationally regarded postgraduate qualification from Curtin University places them all within your reach. Learn more about Project Management at Curtin University, and discover how you can gain globally portable skills and practical knowledge to help you master project management, and forge a successful career across many industries.

Master of Project Management

This two-year course is ideal for applicants looking to start a new career in project management, as well as those who have recently graduated and not yet gained experience in the field.

Master of Science (Project Management)

Applicants with significant professional experience in project management should consider the one-and-a-half-year Master of Science (Project Management) which only includes the more advanced units, shortening the course duration.