by Craig Noe, Chief Executive Officer, Project Controls Institute, Australia
As organisations seek greater certainty in project outcomes, the importance of professional project controls capability has never been greater.
Project controls professionals provide the planning, scheduling, cost control, risk
understand where a project is today, where it is heading and what actions may be required to achieve successful outcomes.
The Association for Project Management's (APM) recognition of the 11147NAT Diploma of Project Controls as an accepted qualification pathway towards Full Membership (MAPM) represents a significant milestone for the project controls profession across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
For the first time, project controls professionals completing the Diploma through Project Controls Institute, Australia (PCI) can utilise their qualification and experience as part of a recognised pathway towards Full Membership of one of the world's leading professional bodies for project professionals.
The recognition comes at a critical time.
Major projects such as Inland Rail, Western Sydney International Airport, Defence capability programs and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent some of the largest and most complex investments in Australia's history. Yet across the globe, major projects experience cost overruns, schedule delays and benefit shortfalls.
The ability to provide accurate and timely information to decision-makers is increasingly recognised as a critical capability in delivering projects successfully. As Australia's infrastructure, defence, resources and energy sectors continue to grow, so too will the demand for highly skilled project controls professionals.
The importance of matters relating to project controls is recognised at the highest levels of business. Research from APM has found:
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- Nearly a third (31%) of senior business leaders say having appropriate governance structures is among the most important factor for their organisation to successfully deliver projects.
- 27% say having impactful assurance and risk management mechanisms in place is among the most important
- 25% say it's about having transparent, timely and accurate reporting of delivery performance
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APM's recognition of the Diploma acknowledges the growing importance of project controls as a specialist discipline and provides practitioners with a pathway to internationally recognised professional membership.
For learners, it strengthens the value of their qualification by connecting education, industry practice and professional recognition. For employers, it provides confidence that capability development is aligned with recognised professional standards and global best practice.
The Diploma of Project Controls has been developed to provide a structured and industry-aligned approach to project controls practice, developing capability in planning and scheduling, cost control, risk management, forecasting, data analysis and performance reporting.
The recognition of the Diploma by APM is more than an endorsement of a qualification. It is recognition of the critical role project controls professionals play in helping organisations deliver projects with greater certainty, accountability and confidence.
For the profession, it represents another important step in the ongoing professionalisation of project controls and the development of a workforce capable of supporting the successful delivery of tomorrow's major projects.