Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's largest community of project professionals, has seen significant growth in the APAC region over the past two decades, according to SoHyun Kang.
Speaking to TechDay in Singapore, Kang, Managing Director for the region, noted that PMI has grown 20-fold in the region during that period, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled project professionals.
"We have 1.6 million certification holders globally and over 730,000 members across almost every country on the planet," Kang explained.
PMI's annual flagship event, the Global Summit, recently took place in Los Angeles, attracting 4,500 project professionals from around the world. The Asia Pacific region was well-represented, with over 100 attendees from the region and award winners from Australia.
As the managing director for Asia Pacific, Kang oversees one of PMI's key regions. "The region is incredibly diverse, covering countries from Japan and Korea to Australia and New Zealand. This diversity in language, culture, economic landscapes, and business practices makes project management in Asia Pacific both exciting and challenging," she said.
Kang, who recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary at PMI, noted that the organisation has "expanded its global footprint significantly."
"We no longer use the term 'headquarters' as we have more than 15 offices worldwide. In addition, we have over 300 chapters globally, with 22 chapters in 14 countries within Asia Pacific," she added.
PMI's growth in the region has been driven by several key factors, including the increasing demand for skilled project managers in sectors such as digital transformation, infrastructure, and supply chain development. Kang noted that Australia, in particular, has experienced a 15% year-over-year increase in certifications and membership, in line with the global average of 17%.
"The growth rate in Asia Pacific has been faster than in other regions."
"As we become more global, the demand for project management skills in areas such as digital and business transformation has skyrocketed," Kang said.
She also highlighted the role of the region's economic and infrastructure development in driving the growth of project management. "Emerging economies in Asia Pacific, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, are seeing rapid development, which is creating a need for skilled project professionals," she explained.
PMI offers a range of certifications tailored to different levels of project management experience. The most well-known is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is recognised globally as the gold standard for project managers. "The PMP certification requires a minimum of three years of experience as a project manager and 35 hours of project management education," Kang said.
She added that the PMP certification is "widely respected", with media outlets such as Nikkei HR ranking it as more valuable than an MBA for career advancement in Japan.
In addition to the PMP, PMI offers the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification for early-career professionals, as well as specialised certifications such as the Program Management Professional (PgMP) and Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP).
PMI has also recently launched a certification for project professionals in the built environment, known as the PMI-CP, which is particularly relevant in Australia as it prepares for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Kang stressed the importance of continuous learning and development for project professionals, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). "We truly believe that generative AI will help maximise project success," she said. PMI has introduced a range of AI-related offerings, including thought leadership reports, e-learning courses, and a dedicated AI community for project professionals. One of the most exciting developments is PMI's AI-powered assistant, PMI Infinity, which helps project managers automate tasks such as creating project charters.
"Project managers in the future will co-work with PMI Infinity when managing projects," Kang explained. She added that PMI is also working with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop AI standards for portfolio, program, and project management.
Kang believes that PMI's success is largely driven by global trends such as digital transformation and the increasing complexity of projects. "If transformation happens, that equals more projects, and skilled project managers are in high demand," she said. This is particularly true in sectors such as infrastructure and construction, where the need for project professionals is expected to grow as countries invest in large-scale projects.
In Australia, the project management profession has become increasingly attractive due to the high demand for talent and competitive salaries.
"The average project manager's salary in Australia is over US$102,000, which is about AU$150,000 – the second highest in the world," Kang said. This, combined with Australia's multicultural society and global connectivity, makes it an attractive destination for project professionals from around the world.
Kang offered advice to project managers in Australia, highlighting the importance of developing both technical and soft skills.
"It's becoming more important for project managers to be able to work in a multinational, multicultural environment and to be flexible and inclusive," she said.
She added that Australia is playing a leading role in project management globally, with many Australian professionals and companies contributing valuable insights to PMI's global initiatives.
As PMI continues to grow and evolve, Kang is optimistic about the future of project management in Asia Pacific.
"Australia is leading the way in terms of project management maturity, and we value the contributions of project professionals from the region," she said. Looking ahead, she sees tremendous opportunities for growth, particularly in emerging markets and in areas such as AI and digital transformation.
With the increasing demand for project professionals worldwide, Kang's message to aspiring project managers is clear: "You are in a leading role, and you can be very proud."
