GAPPS Endorsed Provider Status Launched

The Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS) announces the launch of its Endorsed Provider process centred on assessment processes that use the GAPPS Standards for Project Management.

GAPPS is an independent collaborative not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering mutual recognition for project and program management standards and qualifications. The Endorsed Provider process was developed to provide a globally recognised seal of approval for assessment organisations seeking to issue GAPPS endorsed qualifications. Primarily the process hopes to encourage global portability of project management qualifications, certifications and development programs.

The process was developed through a series of Working Sessions and has benefited from the input of representatives from industry, academia, national training authorities and professional associations in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Russia and South Africa as well as input from recognised experts in the field of assessment and project management.

Alicia Aitken, Managing Director of Project Performance Group says that “PPG is excited about the opportunity to be one of the first companies in the world to become a GAPPS Endorsed Provider. We strongly believe that globally transferable recognition of PM competence will be of significant value to all our clients and customers”. As the number of Endorsed Providers grows the ease of transferability and mutual recognition will increase across the groups.

Assessment organisations that become GAPPS Endorsed Providers will issue certificates stamped with the GAPPS Endorsed Provider logo. This seal of approval will show alignment to the GAPPS standard and facilitate reciprocity between assessment providers. This adds value to all the certifications by enabling project managers to travel all over the world for work and have recognition of their certifications.

GAPPS currently has underway a mapping program which will see all prominent competency frameworks mapped to the GAPPS standards. This will be available to anyone, free, via download from the GAPPS website. Mapping provides a clear one-to-one comparison between the GAPPS standard and each of the other standards included in the mapping. This will be used by individuals seeking to understand the various models, organisations looking to understand the compatibility of each standard and assessment organisations when establishing which part of their assessment processes map directly to the GAPPS standards. This in turn will help facilitate the Endorsed Provider process.

One of the key benefits of the GAPPS Endorsed Provider process is its independence from proprietary project management methodologies and models and that it complements existing structures.

All the works produced by GAPPS are developed on a volunteer basis, are publicly available for use by public and private sector organisations, and can be also downloaded from GAPPS website where you can also find information on our next Working Session which is due to be held in Lille, France on 24-26 August 2008 www.globalpmstandards.org

Contact
The Secretariat – secretariat (at) globalpmstandards.org