PMI

⏱ 3 min  ·  📅 2026

PMI (Project Management Institute) is the world's largest professional association for project management, founded in 1969. It develops standards, guides, and certification programs that serve as a benchmark for project management professionals worldwide.

Description

PMI has become a reference source for the development of the project management discipline in sectors as diverse as industry, technology, healthcare, and construction. It publishes the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), the most widely adopted good-practice guide in predictive project management.

Origin

PMI was founded in 1969 by a group of project management professionals with the aim of establishing professional standards and fostering the growth of the discipline. Since then, it has grown into a global organization with hundreds of thousands of members and active certification holders in more than 200 countries.

Main certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional): the most widely recognized project management certification in the world. It requires demonstrated hands-on experience, training, and passing an exam.
• CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management): entry level, with no requirement for direct management experience.
• PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner): certification in agile methodologies. It covers Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and other frameworks.
• PgMP (Program Management Professional): for managers of programs of related projects.

Objectives

PMI promotes excellence in the project management profession through:

• Development and publication of standards and guides.
• Professional certification programs.
• Training events, conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Research and publications in the field.

Common mistake

Confusing PMI with PMBOK. PMI is the organization; PMBOK is its main reference guide. In addition to the PMBOK, PMI publishes many other guides and standards (the Agile Practice Guide, the standard for risk management, etc.). A person can be a PMI member without being PMP certified, and can use the PMBOK without being certified.

References

• PMI official website.

See also

PMBOK PRINCE2 IPMA Predictive management The Agile Manifesto

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