IPMA pilot successful

The Thales Group focuses on large-scale, innovative and international projects. These projects require highly qualified program and project managers. The French head office asked Thales in the Netherlands to investigate the added value of IPMA certification.







Thales Group is an innovative technology company with 70,000 employees, operating in fifty countries. In 2010, Marc Waarts, in his position as Director Programs Naval Systems, carried out an IPMA pilot with Frits Haselhoff, Program/Contract Manager.

Pilot

Waarts states: "Our programs and projects are complex and large-scale (up to 250 million Euros). We are aiming to increase the professionalism of their management. One of the objectives in this regard is to limit the costs of non-quality (such as warranties and fines)." Haselhoff states: "We selected five candidates for a pilot using IPMA Level B. The duration was only five months, which is half the normal duration. This means that the candidates were under considerable time pressure. Nevertheless, it was 100% successful. All candidates passed the IPMA Level B with flying colours."

IPMA with Thales topping

Haselhoff states: "Our program and project managers not only have to satisfy the IPMA criteria, but the Thales criteria as well. In the pilot, we developed a combination. The certification is identical to that of Cito, but with an added element. This way, we ensure optimal quality assurance in the organisation."

Organisation-wide implementation

Following the successful Dutch pilot, Thales will implement IPMA organisation-wide, from Level C to Level A. Waarts states: "Our program and project managers are very enthusiastic. They all want to obtain the Level B certificate in recognition of their professionalism. The market has also shown a positive response. Clients like to see a CV with IPMA Level B on it."