Page 232 - Global Project Management Handbook

MANAGING PROJECT MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL 11-7

TABLE 11.3 Relationship between Project Management Career Levels and Possible Roles
Project Management Career Levels Possible Roles
Junior project manager PM assistant
Project controller
Project manager of less complex projects
Project manager Project manager
Member of the PM office
Senior project manager Project manager of complex projects
PM coach
PM consultant of projects
PM auditor of projects
Project management-executive Program manager
Manager of the PM office
Member of the portfolio group

management office. Table 11.3 shows the relationship between project management
career levels and possible roles in a project-oriented company.
Often the project management career path is structured according to project manage-
ment certification programs. Figure 11.3 shows the project management career path in
an international IT company. The career levels are consultant, project manager, senior

PM Level 3 PM Level 2 PM Level 1
Career Consultant Senior
progression Project project Project
manager manager director

4–9
Total years 2–5 6–14
Training & 12 Courses 9 Courses 3 Courses
testing
2–5 years 2–4 years 2–5 years
Experience project team managing L3 managing L2
experience projects projects
lead small participate participate
teams L2 project L1 projects

-IPMA Level C Continuing
External - IPMA Level D -IPMA Level B professional
certification -PMI PMP development

FIGURE 11.3 Project management career path in an international IT company.