PMI Austria Chapter celebrates 25 years of project management excellence

16. September 2025

On September 10, we opened our doors for a very special occasion: the PMI Austria Chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary, and we, also marking our own 25-year milestone this year, had the honor of hosting. Together, we transformed our Vienna office into a time machine that took us on a journey through the past, present, and future of project management.

From the moment the first guests arrived, one thing was clear: project management knows no borders. In addition to PMI members from Austria, attendees came from neighboring countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany. Dirk Withake, current President of the PMI Austria Chapter, kicked off the evening with a wink: "No PDUs for partying tonight—but maybe we should rethink that." With that, the tone was set: professional, yet warm and humorous.

Project Management Through the Ages

"Without an integrated approach no excellence in project management." This guiding principle from former PMI President Gregory Balestrero echoed throughout the evening. Wolfgang Rabl, CEO of next level consulting, shared the remarkable story of how he mustered the courage to ask the PMI president to deliver a special keynote speech in 2007, and how the president agreed on the spot. Sometimes, all it takes is asking.

Andrea Cerny, Senior Consultant at next level consulting, highlighted the role of change management in today’s project landscape. She emphasized that we live in an increasingly complex business world, where rapid change and complexity are the new norm, not exceptions. That’s why it’s crucial for project managers to skillfully navigate between processes, people, and emotions.

The Magic Formula of Project Success

Pat Lucey, member of the PMI Board of Directors, brought a global perspective to the event. With a charming “Servus everybody,” he posed a powerful question: How can projects positively impact not just organizations, but entire societies? Regardless of their specific roles, project managers share a collective responsibility to ensure long-term project success.

ast year, the PMI Austria Chapter grew by 12%, and this year, it has grown by another 16%. These numbers reflect just how vital and relevant project management has become.

Pat shared his “magic formula” for successful projects:

Set clear and realistic goals
Analyze and adapt regularly
Take ownership and create value

People, Stories, and Vision

A rare sight: all five PMI Austria Chapter presidents standing together on stage. Mark Engelhardt had the brilliant idea to structure the presentation around the different editions of the PMBOK Guide. Each president took the audience through their respective era, showcasing the evolution of the standard.

Founding President Mark Engelhardt humorously described himself as “Grandpa in front of his grandkids,” recounting how the vision of a project management community led to the founding of the PMI Austria Chapter in 1999. Alexander Kagl walked us through the era of systematization, highlighting the moment PMI finally “discovered” stakeholders and gave them their own knowledge area. Daniel Hendling presented the exciting phase when agility was first introduced in detail, emphasizing that project management is all about continuous development and adaptation. Philip Weihs guided us through the value creation era and as Dirk Withake noted, Philip led the Chapter through the challenges of COVID. Current President Dirk Withake gave only brief attention to the upcoming PMBOK Guide 8, instead offering a visionary look ahead to PMBOK Guide 50 and the future of project management.

People, Stories, and Vision

The Future of Project Management

According to the speakers, by the 50th anniversary in 2050, the 50th edition of the PMBOK will already have been published. It will be supported by emotionally intelligent copilots and even artificial general intelligence (AGI). Project managers might work just 20 hours a week or sip Piña Coladas on the beach, depending on who you ask. But no matter how futuristic things get, one thing remains constant: people are the heart of every project. Leadership, communication, and the “human factor” will continue to be the backbone of successful project management, even in an AI-driven world.

The journey from the first PMBOK edition in 1987, with its foundational concepts, through the introduction of nine knowledge areas, to today’s integrated view of traditional and agile project management, proves one thing: development never stops.

AI as a Companion

A central theme of the evening was artificial intelligence. Contrary to some fears, the experts made it clear: AI won’t replace the human factor; it will enhance it. Wolfgang Rabl emphasized that PMI has always been open to change and proactively engaged with AI long before the hype began.

Andrea Cerny reinforced the importance of the human element in project management. We need people who not only know how to set up projects and lead teams, but who also understand interpersonal dynamics. After all, to manage others successfully, one must master one thing above all else: oneself.

A Community That Drives Innovation

This anniversary evening proved that an active community is the best foundation for innovation and growth. From humble beginnings in 1999 to a qualified contact database with thousands of project managers, the PMI Austria Chapter shows how expertise and passion can multiply.

Three Key Takeaways from the Evening:

Resilience is the new core skill: Workloads are rising. Project managers must learn to overcome external challenges and strengthen their own resilience.
The human factor remains central: Despite all technological advances, it’s people who make projects succeed. Emotional intelligence and leadership skills are more important than ever.
Continuous adaptation: It’s not old vs. new—it’s about continuity, gradual evolution, and constant adjustment.