APM and CIOB forge a stronger professional collaboration

Project management and the construction industry have always been close acquaintances. Now they will both benefit from a stronger professional relationship between the Association for Project Management (APM) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The two professional bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding following an announcement by APM chairman Mike Nichols at the APM Project Management Awards on 20th October 2011.

Chris Blythe, CIOB chief executive, (pictured on the right) was presented with the memorandum of understanding by APM chief executive Andrew Bragg which will look to create a mutual collaboration for the benefit of both the construction industry and the project management profession.

By building on an already existing strong professional relationship, APM and CIOB will work towards mutual recognition of both parties’ membership standards; and will collaborate in the development of products and services for the benefit of all those engaged in project, programme and portfolio management.

Andrew Bragg applauded the agreement by saying: “APM is firmly committed to the concept of collaboration for the good of the profession, and so we are hugely confident that APM’s collaboration with CIOB will bring lasting benefit to the wider profession, whether through working towards mutual recognition of both parties’ membership standards or jointly developing products and services.”

Chris Blythe can see promising value in the agreement, he said: “We have worked with the APM for some time and there will be a real benefit for our members, and us, as an institute to formally increase that collaboration. We certainly don’t believe we have a monopoly of wisdom, but by working together we can improve the flow of knowledge, share new techniques and improve standards for the benefit of all.”

With over 46,000 members the CIOB is the international voice of the building professional, representing an unequalled body of knowledge concerning the management of the total building process. With its increasing international membership and growing profile in the UK, the CIOB is making a hugely influential contribution to one of the world\’s most important industries.