Arizona Announces New IT Project Management Program

Arizona's Government Information Technology Agency just announced a new program "to help agency project managers enhance their ability to complete technology projects on time and within budget."

"I am pleased to announce the collaboration of GITA staff, agency CIOs and other stakeholders to create the State Project Management Certification Program," said Chris Cummiskey, GITA Director and State CIO. "The expertise gained through the certification program will improve the likelihood of success for state projects in years to come."

In recent years, the knowledge and skills required to manage state technology projects has increased dramatically. GITA anticipates the number of high-risk projects to continue to grow over the next few years as many of the state's legacy systems reach the end of their lifecycle. To ensure that these projects are managed effectively, GITA began collaborating with agency CIo's and the Arizona Government University on this exciting initiative to respond to a shortage of qualified project managers.

The State Project Management Certification program consists of two major components:

• An intensive, week long class in project management taught by an instructor certified by the Project Management Institute. Upon completion of the class students take a comprehensive exam to measure project management aptitude.

• A one-half day class emphasizing state requirements in security, privacy, enterprise architecture, policies and standards, oversight and project investment justification. The first class, conducted by GITA on June 5, received good reviews, said GITA on its Web site, and GITA is working to improve the program for future classes.

In addition to these requirements, agency CIOs must attest that the candidate for certification has at least two years of project management experience.

The first class of the State Project Management Certification Program was completed last week. In all 24 project managers have completed the coursework for the State Project Management Certification program.

Starting in July 2008, the Government Information Technology Agency and the Information Technology Authorization Committee will require certain major and/or critical projects be managed by State certified project managers.
JB