Based on the below reading, what implication for potential projects manage in the future.

Alcatel-Lucent: Recognizing the value of a PMP

All too often, companies fail to capitalize on the intellectual property retained by PMPs and likewise cannot recognize the contribution they can make to the company. Some companies treat the PMP credentials as just something to put at the end of one's name on a business card or something to put into a proposal as part of competitive bidding efforts. Some companies even provide funding for training programs to obtain the credentials for fear that the workers will seek employment in other firms that provide employees with more opportunities for project management education.

But when companies like Alcatel-Lucent recognize the value that a PMP can make to the company, there can be a huge return-on-investment (ROI) on the PMPs. The ROI can be seen in the form of mentorship for project managers who aspire to become PMPs or wish to recertify their credentials, an advisory council or hotline for projects that are in trouble, or simply by establishing a global project management information network so that all employees worldwide understand current company developments and best practices with regard to project management.

Good things happen to companies like Alcatel-Lucent that recognizes the value of a PMP. According to Rich Maltzman, PMP, senior manager, Alcatel-Lucent Global PMO:

Alcatel-Lucent has sought to increase PM maturity by establishing and deploying an integrated PM Development Framework including a dedicated career path where job descriptions are interlocked with a resource and skills management system connected directly to development options such as dedicated PM courseware. The company has also provided its PMs with a sophisticated Delivery Framework to help them implement and govern projects, measure and manage risk and to manage project financials. These frameworks provide the fundamental platform for achieving PM maturity. In particular, one focus group of PMPs has taken on a dynamic role to support soon-to-be PMPs and existing PMPs to facilitate the credentialing of PMs and to help existing PMPs not only to retain their PMP but to do so in a highly productive manner for their peers.

The team, which gave itself the name PM-CERT for PM-Continuing Education and Recertification Team, meets weekly and focuses on several efforts to meet the goals spelled out in its title. Although an ad-hoc team, it works in concert with the Global PMO and Alcatel-Lucent University (a Registered Education Provider of the PMI), both of which are represented on the team. Here are some of PM-CERT's main activities.

PMP Study Groups

Since the inception of this initiative, about 30 PMP Study groups have been established. These are time-zone based groups, each with about 10 members, who study collaboratively for the PMP exam under the tutelage of an instructor. This instructor is typically a recently credentialed PMP. Meeting at a frequency established by the team, and working in the language in which the majority of members expect to take the test, the Study Groups use the same materials and drill together on subject matter per a model syllabus established by the PM-CERT team, but adapted for the needs of the particular group. A special PMP Study Hall website has been established specifically for these teams to ask questions, share findings and, of course, post the fact that they have passed the exam! Students receive 30 hours of contact time which contributes the majority of what is needed for the exam application, and the instructor is able to claim valuable PDUs by virtue of their service as an instructor. Instructors and students have both reported that this has been an enriching experience, stating, for example, that the Study Groups, "allowed me to meet and learn experiences from other PMs with a background in different areas. This helped me become a stronger PM by using the knowledge gained from these various backgrounds."

Newsletter

For several years, the PM-CERT team has published a newsletter periodically, but at least quarterly, with featured stories about project management, news of upcoming PDU opportunities, profiles of projects, and announcements of PM-related events around the world. It had build up about 500 subscribers. Now the PM-CERT team uses a corporate blog based on Alcatel-Lucent'sEngagecorporate social media platform to distribute news and information.

International PM Day Symposium

Alcatel-Lucent has decided to celebrate International PM Day by running an International PM Day Symposium. This is a web-based conference with connectivity by telephone and web-based video. It has been held since 2007, with attendance around 1,000 people at each. A theme is given to the Symposium and presenters submit proposals from which a PM-CERT committee selects for use at the session. Past themes have included "Project Management that Matters," and "Project Managementa World of Difference." Presenters from about 6-8 different countries share lessons learned or tackle a project management knowledge area such as Risk Management. In addition, guest speakers, such as noted authors Dr. Harold Kerzner and Jean Binder (winner of PMI's David Cleland Award), Dr. Charlie Pellerin from NASA, or officials of PMI are featured. The Symposium has been registered with Alcatel-Lucent University, and students collect 6 PDUs for their verified attendance. These sessions are archived and are continuously available for replay through Alcatel-Lucent University.

Making PDUs AvailableLearning Center

Again working with Alcatel-Lucent University, the PM-CERT has helped established a PM Learning Centera resource-rich website with tips on how to apply for the PMP exam, how to keep your credential once earned, suggested readings and courses, and links to the appropriate PM CommunityEngagegroups and to the established curricula of PM courseware.

Roundtables

PM-CERT sponsors bimonthly "Discussion Roundtables," 1-hour lunchtime telephone conversations focused on a particular topic and led by a subject-matter expert from inside or outside of Alcatel-Lucent. The sessions are casual and provide the student with 1 PDU.

Inspiration from PMP-CERT

The PM-CERT team has also inspired other PM activities. Based partially on the success of PM-CERT, Alcatel-Lucent's PM CommunityEngageGroup is very active, covering general-interest PM topics, and has risen in the ranks to become one of the most popular corporateEngagegroups. Based on this success, the company is now starting to use this as a model for other disciplines and job profiles in the company as a way to promote community learning and knowledge sharing.