Community Talk series
With Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO of PMI & Song Bac Toh, Board Chair of Agile Alliance
Taghi Paksima's exclusive fireside chat with leaders of the two organisations about their recent partnership. This conversation provides you with a unique opportunity to discover first-hand how this new partnership brings together two communities of professionals and marks a bold new chapter for agile and project management.
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Highlights of the Conversation
What is Agile Alliance?
[02:04]
Song: Agile Alliance is a global non-profit membership organization founded on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, supporting people and organizations in exploring, applying, and expanding Agile values, principles, and practices since 2001. Agile Alliance's core services include: Conferences, in particular the flagship annual Agile 202x conference, membership, and initiatives.
Song: Agile Alliance is a global non-profit membership organization founded on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, supporting people and organizations in exploring, applying, and expanding Agile values, principles, and practices since 2001. Agile Alliance's core services include: Conferences, in particular the flagship annual Agile 202x conference, membership, and initiatives.
Could you introduce PMI?
[02:35]
Pierre: PMI helps make projects successful across various industries through education, certifications, and community support. It defines projects broadly and supports project professionals, businesses, governments, and NGOs. Key facts about PMI include:
Pierre: PMI helps make projects successful across various industries through education, certifications, and community support. It defines projects broadly and supports project professionals, businesses, governments, and NGOs. Key facts about PMI include:
- Membership: About 750,000 members.
- Global Presence: Present in over 200 countries.
- Certified Professionals: Millions of certified professionals.
- Employees and Volunteers: 800 full-time employees and approximately 13,000 active volunteers.
- Revenue: Close to $400 million in revenue.
- Services: Offers proprietary e-learning products, accredited programs, professional events, knowledge platforms like the AI-based PMA Infinity, online communities, and globally recognized certifications, including the PMP.
- Nonprofit Status: Reinvests surpluses into its mission and social impact, making many products accessible for free, especially through the PMI Educational Foundation.
What was the purpose of Agile Alliance joining PMI?
[06:30]
Song: The partnership aims to strengthen Agile practices and expand community reach.
Song: The partnership aims to strengthen Agile practices and expand community reach.
Pierre: PMI's strategy includes expanding 8 content areas including AI, sustainability, and agile practices. The integration of Agile Alliance aligns with this strategy to enhance project success.
How is Agile Alliance going to be integrated into PMI?
Pierre: Agile Alliance remains a separate legal entity with its own board, structure, and membership as before. PMI will provide funding, approve important decisions, and appoint the executive director. Agile Alliance will not be merged into PMI, neither is this a joint venture, or acquisition. Agile Alliance staff are now PMI employees. Agile Alliance's board will retain their voluntary structure (except executive director who will be from PMI). Integration work is in progress to ensure smooth coordination.
What would this integration mean for Agile Alliance members?
Song: Existing membership benefits remain unchanged, with potential expansions in research, content, and networking opportunities. Members are encouraged to propose initiatives to further expand the community.
What would this integration mean for PMI members?
Pierre: PMI members will have the opportunity to engage with Agile Alliance's content and community, enhancing their knowledge and skills in agile practices. Agile Alliance content will be included in PMI events and initiatives.
How will this integration impact the industry at large?
Pierre: The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between project management and agile practices, benefiting both communities and the industry. It emphasizes understanding various methodologies and adapting to project contexts.
Does PMI have any plans to offer new Agile certifications?
Pierre: No, PMI is method agnostic and does not plan to offer new certifications. PMI-ACP certification will also remain methodology agnostic, and PMI encourages the certification market to self-regulate.
Is there any particular risk or concern about this integration going forward?
Pierre: The main risk is an opportunity risk. The agile community has a fantastic platform with PMI to expand and influence more sectors. Openness from the agile community is crucial to leverage this opportunity.
Is there a plan to promote product management as a discipline and practice?
Pierre: Yes, PMI members include product managers and PMI plans to expand content in product management. Product Management has been one of the 8 content platforms in PMI. Agile Alliance also has initiatives around product management, and there is potential for collaboration.
What is the one thing you would want to communicate with the two communities?
Pierre: I emphasize the importance of leveraging differences and diversity to benefit the collective good.
Song: I encourage members to propose new initiatives and ideas to expand the community and offer more value.
About Pierre Le Manh
Pierre Le Manh, PMP, has been serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Project Management Institute since September 2022. A global executive with a multicultural background and experience in leading companies across multiple knowledge industries, he has a proven track record of delivering results and guiding organizations through complex transformations and globalization.
Before joining PMI, he served as CEO for North America and as Global Deputy CEO at Ipsos. Pierre played a crucial role in transforming Ipsos from a primarily European-focused organization with $700 million in revenue in 2004, to a $2.5 billion global industry leader by 2021, and in growing the company to more than 18,000 employees operating in 90 countries, successively leading various regions and global business lines.
Before joining PMI, he served as CEO for North America and as Global Deputy CEO at Ipsos. Pierre played a crucial role in transforming Ipsos from a primarily European-focused organization with $700 million in revenue in 2004, to a $2.5 billion global industry leader by 2021, and in growing the company to more than 18,000 employees operating in 90 countries, successively leading various regions and global business lines.
About Song Bac Toh
Song Bac Toh is the Board Chair of PMI Agile Alliance, a global non-profit membership organization founded on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. As the chair of the board, he and the members of the board guides Agile Alliance to support people and organizations who explore, apply and expand Agile values, principles, and practices.
Song Bac Toh has been in the technology business for over 20 years, starting as a software engineer and later transitioning to product and business management.
In addition to his volunteer role in Agile Alliance, Song Bac Toh is a Senior Director of Product Management at Dell Technologies. He leads the Infrastructure Automation business addressing the operational and automation needs of cloud infrastructure utilized by global telecommunication firms and other critical organizations.
In addition to his volunteer role in Agile Alliance, Song Bac Toh is a Senior Director of Product Management at Dell Technologies. He leads the Infrastructure Automation business addressing the operational and automation needs of cloud infrastructure utilized by global telecommunication firms and other critical organizations.
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