About Project Management South Africa

Project Management South Africa (formerly known as PMISA) was formed in 1997 as an independent, autonomous National Association to represent project management professionals across all sectors in South Africa. Since 1997 the PMSA membership has grown to approximately 1 200 members, who are drawn from a diverse cross section of industries and ethnic groups.

The drive to create PMSA came from a need for a multi-sector forum for project professionals to meet and work together and for a national body to work with local organisations and the South African government in developing effective project management within South Africa. In 2013, PMSA was recognised as the professional body responsible for conferring designations in project management across industry sectors. To this end, PMSA implements a professional development programme and awards designations as Project Management Administrator (PM.Admin) Project Manager (PM), Senior Project Manager (Sr.PM) and Professional Project Manager (Pr.PM). The designation programme currently runs in parallel with ordinary membership but the two will converge in due course. Currently, an ordinary membership at the Full or Professional level is required prior to applying for a professional designation. 

PMSA Operating Structures

PMSA is a not-for profit professional body that is governed by a Board of Directors, and managed and administered by a National Office. The Board comprises elected volunteers. Working committees comprising volunteers are convened for special projects, and volunteer subject matter experts consulted on key projects on an ad hoc basis.

PMSA Branches operate in areas with a high density of members. Branches are currently operational in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, where they are run by volunteers; and in Gauteng where branch activities are currently run by the National Office, pending volunteer involvement. Cell groups and additional Branches are considered in those areas where members express an interest.

Members are invited to become involved in the PMSA branches as volunteers at any time, as well as lending specific expertise to a wide range of special projects, falling under the broad categories of professional development; events; publishing; ethics; governance; and others.