UI professor on the editorial board for the International Project Management Association

Project management is one of the most important skillsets in most organisations. Increasingly, it is about working with independent projects that have a specific lifecycle and are based on specialised procedures, either well-known or requiring definition. The aim is always to improve operations, to make them more efficient and profitable, and to speed up and fine tune processes. Project management is becoming increasingly important alongside a growing focus on innovation and change in our society and the way in which companies and public institutions are run. 

"When we attempt to do something that has never been done before, there is a higher chance of errors and high costs. With project management, we learn to handle the uncertainty that comes with such projects. We acquire knowledge of uncertainties by predicting how the project will progress. This also teaches us how to handle all the things that come with working in uncharted waters." 

So says Inga Minelgaite, professor of project management at UI, who was recently appointed to the publishing and editorial board of IMPA, the International Project Management Association. IMPA is one of the two largest professional associations for project managers in the world. Project management specialists claim that we are now in a 'project age' – a time in which the number of projects is ever increasing, and in which they are becoming ever more complex undertakings. This means that the skills needed to tackle reforms and manage projects are becoming increasingly valuable.

The board is dedicated to publishing vital knowledge

The role of IMPA is to support project management professionals and specialists all over the world to share new knowledge and research findings. The editorial board, which is dedicated to publications about project management, comprises just 7 people representing the roughly 70 member states. IMPA is best known here in Iceland and elsewhere for providing international certification for qualified project managers, which makes it easier for them to work internationally.  Inga recently attended an IMPA board meeting in Dubrovnik in Croatia.  

"The IMPA's work isn't just about improving the profession itself, but also improving our society and the way companies and institutions are run all over the world," says Inga, adding that the board's role is to map where knowledge and published research are most needed and would bring the most benefit. 

"We work to publish knowledge that will benefit educational institutions, societies and industries, with consideration of the most pressing current global issues and the immediate future. We work to gather information from companies, academics, organisations and governments to fill in gaps where knowledge is lacking in order to improve project management in the current circumstances. For example, at this first meeting in Dubrovnik, I committed to developing three case studies for a certain market in international business and project management instructors. One example I'm going to write about is so interesting that the story was even made into a film," smiles Inga. She refuses to say which film, but says that it will be revealed when the article is published. 

"Who knows, maybe the other two examples we are working with will inspire some film-makers," says Inga with a laugh.

Important for UI students in project management

At UI, there is a dedicated degree programme in project management, coordinated by Inga. "It is particularly gratifying to me that UI students will benefit from my appointment to the board, because we will now have more guest lecturers visiting UI to share their extensive international experience and knowledge," says Inga. She points out that her new role will attract experts with considerable knowledge of project management in an economic crisis, which will be extremely important considering current global trends.  For example, the University will shortly be welcoming the main project manager for the City of Cape Town in South Africa, who will share experiences of leading projects in challenging times of economic crisis. 

Inga explains that project managers don't work alone, but rather as part of the international community, and it is invaluable for UI students to have the chance to learn from administrators who have achieved incredible success in different countries around the world.  She mentions in particular Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.

"My position on the board will help attract famous speakers to UI to share an international perspective on the subject of project management. Icelanders can certainly be proud of their success with many complex projects, but there are always new lessons to be learned. It is sometimes said that the best way to learn is from your own mistakes, but it's probably even better to learn from other people's mistakes," smiles Inga. 

Project management is the key to successful reform

We live in a rapidly changing society, including all aspects of administration. "We all want to optimise our quality of life and ensure that organisations are well run, to the benefit of the owners and wider society. This requires continuous reform. Project management strategies help a lot to ensure that reforms are implemented in a timely fashion, on budget and taking account of all stakeholders," says Inga. 

She says that change is certainly possible without project management, but the final cost will be much higher, both in terms of time and money. "The chances of making consequential mistakes are also greatly increased. Project management is about finding ways to do what needs to be done on budget and on schedule."