Is Project Management Still an Accidental Profession? A Qualitative Study of Career Trajectory

Tracey M Richardson,Matthew P Earnhardt,Jim W Marion

doi:10.1177/2158244015572098

Tracey M Richardson, Matthew P Earnhardt + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015572098

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Journal: SAGE Open	Publication Date: Feb 17, 2015
Citations: 23	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract

In this study, the authors used qualitative techniques to look for reoccurring themes related to 87 project managers’ responses to interview questions associated with entry into the field of project management and career progression. The study found that despite the efforts of higher education, professional associations, and their professional development and certifications, the project management remains a destination by accident. Professional project managers do not intend to be project managers but “fall into” the profession. This study provides a conceptual framework for project manager career trajectory that has implications for project management training and mentoring and contributes to the growing literature on the accidental profession.

Highlights

The nature of work is changing, and with it, the demand for project managers is increasing
Gordon Davis begins by asking how PMI members prepared for the profession? He further asked, “How many of us could or would employ newly-graduated individuals in positions relating to the design, development, and operation of project management systems” (Davis, 1971, p. 10)? This work was followed by Pinto and Kharbanda (1995) and others who wrote about the accidental profession
This study offers a view of project managers as an accidental profession, the present study is not without limitations

Summary

Introduction

The nature of work is changing, and with it, the demand for project managers is increasing. The practice of project management has been proven in the traditional project-based industries, such as aerospace and information technology (IT), and the demand is growing in the energy, health care, constructions, and finance sectors (Hodgson & Cicmil, 2006; Project Management Institute [PMI], 2014, n.d.). Research has investigated the role of the accidental profession, there is still work to be done. The accidental project manager is relevant today requiring more study and understanding in a variety of industries and organizations (Darrell et al, 2010). The current research study endeavors to find out where project managers come from and how they got into the role. This is accomplished by interviewing 87 project managers about what types of career experiences led them to project management

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion