WHAT IS THEProject?

THEProject is an annual collegiate project management competition offered by the Western Michigan Project Management Institute (WMPMI). 2021 will be our 10th annual competition. Although project management tends to favor business, computer science, and engineering curriculums, students of all academic disciplines are highly encouraged to participate. THEProject engages college students in the practice of project management, develops their leadership skills, and provides them with a showcase to demonstrate their leadership abilities on stage and in person with business and community leaders from West Michigan.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Student teams comprised of 3 to 6 students from colleges and universities in the Western Michigan area must provide solutions for a real-life scenario in the form of a project plan. Each team is provided a detailed scenario and assigned a PMP® (project management professional) certified mentor to teach them how to transform their solutions into project plans using the initiating and planning processes documented in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (a.k.a., the PMBOK). Teams are judged on their use of proper project management techniques, the quality of their solutions, and their ability to present their project plans.

The event day, which usually takes place on the second Monday in April, includes team presentations and keynote speakers. And, of course, there is plenty of good food and networking opportunities. The top four teams in the competition receive cash prizes. Teams that do not place in the final four may receive prizes in a variety of categories during the awards presentation.

This competition is an excellent tool to teach real world skills to students, to incite an interest in project management as a career, and to ignite an understanding of how complex problems can be solved and solutions delivered using tools that have been honed in the fires of real-life practice.

If you have any questions, please send an email to THE Project@wmpmi.org

Since 2012

Hosting the collegiate project competition - THEProject

Thank you to all THEProject champions, mentors, PMO panelists, and core team!

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the students!

WMPMI THEProject2020 Program

Each team was provided the 2020 detailed scenario - Inspiring Young Adults To Be The Project Managers And Project Leaders For The Future.

Formal recorded presentations were not required this year but were still encouraged and Michigan Technological University stepped up and provided two great presentations we would like to share with you.

Please enjoy presentations for our 3rd and 4th place competitors!