The document outlines the criteria for professional designations in project management in South Africa. It establishes a framework with components like qualifications, certifications, experience requirements, commitment to ongoing development, and adherence to a code of conduct. The framework defines awarding and retaining criteria for three levels of professional designation - Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, and Professional Project Manager. It was developed in response to the need for consistency across companies and industries and approved by relevant stakeholders to establish clear paths for careers in project management.

1. Clive Enoch
MCom, PMP®, Prince2

2. Contents
1. The need for a framework
2. Career path components
3. Achieving proficiency
4. Career path
5. It’s a journey
6. Professional designation
7. Key components of designation
8. Criteria
9. Conclusion

3. Membersand organisationsneeded clarity
Inconsistenciesacrosscompaniesand industrieshad to
be addressed
We responded
Discussion document targets
Project and Programme Managersand their line managers
Human Resource Departments
Managersresponsible for establishing and developing PM competence
Training and Education providers
Individualsinterested in pursuing a career in PM

5. Qualification
Practice
Certification
Entry into a profession
Confirmsknowledge,
skill and experiencethat
leadsto proficiency

6. Project
Manager - 2
Project
Manager - 1
Project
Manager - 3
Programme
Manager
SupportSpecialists
Portfolio Manager /
Programme Director

7. Framework used asabasisfor industry specific
definitions
Continuousimprovement through research and
development
Project management qualificationsand
certificationsin South Africa
Implicationsof project management asa profession
Astep towardsprofessional designations

8. …consistent with the requirementsof individual, industry, publicsector and education-
related stakeholdersrelevant to the particular profession.
The professional body …contextualise, define and seek approval
for the criteria supporting each designation and formalise a
framework from which to enable individualsto pursue registration
on the designation and maintain thisdesignation over time.

9. THE PMSA NEWS
www.projectmanagement.org.za
The Directorate: Regis tration and Recognition is pleas ed to
inform you that the SAQA Board approved the recognition
of Project Management South Africa (PMSA) as a
Profes s ional Body for the purpos es of the NQF Act, Act 67
of 2008:
It has als o approved the regis tration of the following
Profes s ional Des ignations on the NQF:
Project Manager (PM)
Senior Project Manager (Sr.PM)
Profes s ional Project Manager (Pr.PM)

10. Academic
Qualification
Practical
Experience
Board exam
Code of
Conduct
Disciplinary
Process
CPD Fees
AWARDINGCRITERIA RETAININGCRITERIA

11. AWARDINGCRITERIA RETAININGCRITERIA
Formal Knowledge Skills Experience Commitment Code of Conduct On-going professional
development
Industry relevant
tertiary qualification
at minimum NQF7
Awarenessand
demonstrated ability to
practice in achosen PM
methodology
OR
Certification or
accreditation in a
recognised
methodology at the
foundation / basiclevel.
Three yearsof Managing
low complexity projects:
Takingprojectsthrough the
complete project
management lifecycle,
from initiation, to planning,
executing, monitoringand
control and closing
Current membership
with at least one
relevant professional
project management
association for a
minimum of one
year.
Applicant signsand
adheresto the prevailing
PMSAcode of conduct.
Any breach of the Code of
Conduct may be subject
to the PMSADisciplinary
Policy.
Designation-holder is
required to gather the
required number of
pointsthrough relevant
activitiesasstipulated in
the PMSACPDpolicy.
Without NQF7 Qualification:
RPL: Recognised certification / accreditation plus5 yearsof relevant
experience.

12. AWARDINGCRITERIA RETAININGCRITERIA
Formal Knowledge Skills Experience Commitment Code of Conduct On-going professional
development
Industry relevant tertiary
qualification at minimum
NQF7
AND
Any formal short learning
programme in Project
Management at a
minimum of 120 notional
hours,
OR
Certification or
accreditation in a
recognised methodology
at the advanced level
(PMP, IPMSAB) with
completion of one
renewal cycle of such.
Awarenessand
demonstrated ability
to practice in a chosen
PM methodology.
Three years’ low complexity
and three years’ moderate
complexity or six years’ of
managingmoderately
complex projects.
Takingprojectsthrough the
complete project
management lifecycle, from
initiation, to planning,
executing, monitoringand
control and closing.
Current membership
with at least one
relevant professional
project management
association for a
minimum of one year
and active
participation in that
body’sactivities, for
example volunteering
and presenting.
Applicant signsand
adheresto the prevailing
PMSAcode of conduct.
Any breach of the Code of
Conduct may be subject to
the PMSADisciplinary
Policy.
Designation-holder is
required to gather the
required number of points
through relevant activities
asstipulated in the PMSA
CPDpolicy.

13. AWARDINGCRITERIA RETAININGCRITERIA
Formal Knowledge Skills Experience Commitment Code of Conduct On-going professional
development
Project management
qualification at minimum
NQF8
Awarenessand
demonstrated ability to
practice in achosen PM
methodology.
Minimum 10 yearsof
managingmoderate
to complex projects.
Takingprojects
through the complete
project management
lifecycle, from
initiation, to planning,
executing, monitoring
and control and
closing
Current membership
with at least one
relevant professional
project management
association for a
minimum of one year
and active
participation in that
body’sactivities, for
example volunteering
and presenting.
Applicant signsand
adheresto the prevailing
PMSAcode of conduct.
Any breach of the Code of
Conduct may be subject
to the PMSADisciplinary
Policy.
Designation-holder is
required to gather the
required number of points
through relevant activities
asstipulated in the PMSA
CPDpolicy.
Pre-application self assessment
Submission of portfolio of evidence
Peer interview – GAPPS(Global Aliance for Project Performance) competency model

14. Conclusion
1. The need for a framework
2. Career path components
3. Achieving proficiency
4. Career path
5. It’s a journey
6. Professional designation
7. Key components of designation
8. Criteria
9. Conclusion

15. Clive EnochClive EnochClive Enoch