Project Management Institute

Background of Project Management Institute (PMI)®

The Project Management Institute, incorporated in 1969, was founded by five volunteers, with its headquarters in Newtown Square, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has published a number of standards related to project management, and manages several levels of project management certification.

The standard Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK® Guide), currently in its third edition, is the only ANSI standard for project management. The levels of certification are Certified Associate in Project Management ( CAPM )® and Project Management Professional ( PMP )®, the latter being more advanced. The publication, A Standard for Program Management, defines a standard for program managers. Project Management Institute manages one certification level related to program management, namely, Program Management Professional ( PgMP )®.

As of 2017, Project Management Institute reported over 486,680 members and over 777,202 PMP® certificants in over 160 countries. Over 44,000 PMP® certifications expire annually; a PMP® must document ongoing project management experience and education every three years to keep his or her certification current.

Today, it is the leading membership association for the project management profession. Project Management Institute is actively engaged in advocacy for the profession, setting professional standards, conducting research and providing access to a wealth of information and resources. PMI also promotes career and professional development and offers certification, networking and community involvement opportunities.

For more than 40 years, Project Management Institute has advanced the careers of practitioners who have made project management indispensable in achieving business results.