Project Management Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Project Management Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Project Management Day is celebrated on November 3rd.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Project Management Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as fun facts you need know about Project Management Day.

📅 What day is Project Management Day 2024?

In 2024, Project Management Day is on Friday, November 3rd. It is the 1st Friday in November; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all intriguing details and facts about November 3, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on the first Thursday of November, we celebrate International Project Management Day to acknowledge and appreciate the vital role project managers play in our organizations. This year, it falls on November 3rd. Project managers are crucial in ensuring the successful completion of large projects undertaken by businesses. LaVerne Johnson and Lori Milhaven, from the International Institute of Learning (I.I.L.), initiated this day as a way to express gratitude and recognition for the hard work and dedication of project managers.

📜 Project Management Day History

Project managers are individuals who play a crucial role in ensuring that our project goals and objectives are achieved. They are responsible for overseeing the entire project and the team working on it. By utilizing their strong communication, organization, leadership, problem-solving, and management skills, project managers ensure that all project goals are met on time and within the allocated budget.

In the 1950s, the engineering industry pioneered project management as a distinct discipline. Prior to that, engineers relied on unstructured methods such as Gantt charts to manage large projects. The introduction of the critical path method (C.P.M.) and program evaluation and review technique (PERT) marked a significant milestone in project management, leading to the establishment of project management as a recognized field. The Project Management Institute was later founded in the United States, further solidifying project management as a profession. Various methodologies and approaches, such as Project Lifecycle Management and Lean Project Management, have since evolved and can be applied across different industries, with some methods being particularly effective in specific fields.

In 2004, LaVerne Johnson, Lori Milhaven, and the International Institute of Learning (I.I.L.) team initiated International Project Management Day as a way to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of project managers.

✅ Project Management Day Facts

🔖 They are in high demand
By 2017, the number of project managers worldwide exceeded 15 million, and it is projected that employers will require more than 88 million project managers by 2027.

🔖 Failure is expected
Around three-fourths of chief executive officers anticipate that their initiatives will not succeed, while about seven out of ten projects are likely to fail.

🔖 You might not need a certificate
Global statistics show that only 56% of project managers possess certification.

👍 Why Is Project Management Day Important

Project Management Day emphasizes not just the necessity of project managers in our sectors and businesses but also the need for appropriate planning and management in general. Project management as a discipline demonstrates how much time, money, and energy can be saved via proper planning, and sure, this applies to our daily lives as well.

This day allows us to recognize an often underappreciated profession. It demonstrates the importance of project managers and allows us to express our gratitude for all of their efforts.

This day also provides motivation for project managers all across the world. We all like being recognized for our work, and a day like today boosts morale for those who have chosen this as a professional path. It also promotes the profession to those who may have been thinking about it.

🙂 How To Observe Project Management Day

⚡ Learn about project managers
Throughout history, there have been many project managers who have achieved great success. Elizabeth Harrin, Michael Kaplan, and Chris Lema are just a few examples of these accomplished individuals. If you are interested in becoming a successful project manager yourself, it would be beneficial to spend a day studying the strategies and approaches of these excellent professionals. Additionally, if you are already a project manager, you have the opportunity to attend an annual online conference where you can learn from and connect with other outstanding colleagues in the field. This conference attracts around 35,000 project managers from various parts of the world, making it an invaluable event for professional growth and networking.

⚡ Appreciate a Project Manager
If you are employed at a medium-large company, it is possible that your supervisor may require project management skills or even hire individuals specifically for that role. Take the time to show appreciation to these individuals for their valuable contributions to the organization. If you are not part of that particular group but have a few friends who work in project management, express your gratitude by sending them a text message or publicly acknowledging them on social media.

⚡ Organize a work event
If you are in a position of authority or have a direct working relationship with employers, it is a good idea to organize a small celebration for project managers. This can be as basic as providing a complimentary lunch in the office break room or as elaborate as presenting them with gift baskets and cards. The important thing is to express your appreciation and demonstrate how much you value the project managers in your team.

📅 When is Project Management Day?

Explore all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Project Management Day. So be sure to check back soon.