Sri. R C Panda opens PMA chapter in Bangalore

Need for more certified project managers to ensure timely execution of projects, says PMA president Adesh Jain; China has 300 plus times more than India

Project Management Associates (PMA), a non-profit registered professional body of projects and business managers, aimed at strengthening project management in India, has opened its ninth chapter in Bangalore.

The inauguration was done by Mr. R Sri Kumar – Vigilance Commissioner. Dr R C Panda, Member Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), and former secretary Government of India, inaugurated the chapter. Mr Adesh Jain, National president, PMA and the father of Project Management movement in India, was present along with several dignitaries, projects and business managers and members of the PMA. Adesh Jain was the first non-European President of International Project Management Association (IPMA), Switzerland in its history of 40 years. He was recently invited by NASA to give a presentation on project management in the USA.

The fifty two founding members convened for the inaugural board meeting and elected the Bangalore chapter's office functionaries. Mr. V R S Natarajan, CMD, BEML was elected the Honorary President, Mr. Laxman K Badiga, Chief Information Officer, Wipro Technologies was elected the Vice President and Mr. Vedamoorthy Namasivayam, Sr. Director, Deloitte. Treasurer of PMA Bangalore Chapter.

During its nearly two decades of existence PMA has made tremendous strides in creating massive awareness amongst CEOs, practicing managers and academia regarding the importance of balancing time, cost and scope with quality built-in and meeting the diversified expectations of various stakeholders. With its national committee being based in the national capital, PMA has other chapters in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Pune, Chandigarh, Vadodara and Panipat.

In his inaugural address Mr Panda, a former IAS who has had a close interface with this region, said, “Project management is key for India to sustain growth. It is important that we have sound planning process taking into account all the possible risks and then aggressively approach to execution. There would be hurdles and our challenge is to overcome them as fast as possible. Delivery is the essence of societies to have a competitive advantage.”

Underlining the importance of timely completion of projects, Mr Jain in his address said completion of a project even one day earlier than the deadline can result in savings of crores. In today's context of one marketplace, only those having a proven track record in controlling 'time' would thrive. He said that China has 300 + times more certified project managers than India.

“Certificate In Project Management (CIPM) and IPMA 4 Level Certification is the basis for China’s certification. Many corporations like NTPC, IOC, SAIL, L&T etc. have started following this approach to provide complete career path. Project management has come out of the confines of construction or related to physically visible entities. Project implies projection of dreams, vision, abstract ideas and strategies and management ensures awakening, Realizing, concretizing and delivering the results. Only delivery counts. In 21st century, our race is against time and this new race is certainly TOUGH to win. It requires commitment.” he said.