Project management is not an accidental profession

This study investigates project management as a professional discipline and project manager as a professional person. Projects and the role of the project manager in business success, the challenges faced by project managers and the appointment of an accidental project manager as a sure path to project failure, are also investigated. An extended literature was undertaken to address the stated problems. The study found that organisations utilising the professional project management are benefiting more than those who do not used professional project managers. It was also found that there is an exponential increase in membership of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and those with Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Projects and project manager plays an important role in the success of business. This study shows that projects are initiated as a result of the development of new products or services. Despite all the necessary selection criteria for appointing project manager being satisfied, project managers are still faced with challenges. This study shows that the temporary nature as well the limited authority given to the project managers constitute the core challenges for a project manager. The study shows that most of the organisations do not have system approach when selecting the project managers. Appointment of an “accidental project manager” is a sure path to project failure. Investigation reveals that the appointment of an incompetent project manager is one of the main causes of project failure.Prof. N. Lessin