The Inspiring History of Project Management. How Did It Begin?

Updated Feb 14, 2023.

Think of massive ancient projects like the Egyptian Pyramid of Giza and the Great Walls of China. And now, think of famous software development projects like Google and Facebook.

Such projects from different eras in human history needed proper management to succeed. However, the focus of projects in ancient times was on the final results and not the process.

Did you know the project management practices in vogue today started after 1958? Learn about the key milestones and innovations that founded modern project management.

Overview of the Stages in the History of Project Management

The History StageNotable AdvancementsRemarkable ProjectsMajor Persons and Associations
The Early Stage (before 1958)Gantt Chart, CPM, PERT, and AACEManhattan, Polaris, and Interstate Highway SystemHenry Gannt, Morgan R. Walker, James E. Kelley, and the US Department of Defense
2nd Stage (1958-1979)Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Iterative Project Planning, and Conflict ManagementApollo Space Program and ARPANETThe U.S. Navy, International Project Management Association (IPMA), and The Project Management Institute (PMI)
3rd Stage (1980-1994)First Lightweight Methodologies, PM Certification Programs, Risk Management, and PMBOKChallenger Project and The EurotunnelJames Martin and Project Management Institute (PMI)
4th Stage (1995-Now)Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM), Agile Software Methodologies, Agile Manifesto, and Project Management SoftwarePanama Canal Expansion, Y2K, and Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Jim Highsmith, Jeff Sutherland, Ken Schwaber, Kent Beck, Mike Beedle, and 12 other software development practitioners.

Quick Timeline of the History of Project Management

  • The Egyptian Great Pyramids of Giza – 2570 B.C
  • The Great Walls of China – 208 B.C.
  • Frederic Taylor’s ‘The Principles of Scientific Management – 1911
  • The Gantt Chart – 1917
  • The American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) – 1956
  • The Critical Path Method (CPM) – 1957
  • The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) – 1958
  • The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Approach – 1962
  • The International Project Management Association (IPMA) – 1965
  • The Project Management Institute (PMI) – 1969
  • The PROMPT II Method – 1975
  • The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering by Fred Brooks – 1975
  • The Theory of Constraints (TOC) – 1984
  • The Establishment of Scrum – 1986
  • A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – 1987
  • The PRINCE Method from PROMPT II – 1989
  • CHAOS Report First Published – 1994
  • The PRINCE2 by CCTA – 1996
  • The Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) – 1997
  • The Standardization of PMBOK – 1998
  • The Agile Manifesto – 2001
  • The Total Cost Management Framework by AACE International – 2006
  • The 4th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2008
  • Major PRINCE2 Revision by Office of Government Commerce – 2009
  • ISO 21500:2012 Standard for Project Management Released – 2012
  • The 5th Edition of The PMBOK Guide Released – 2012
  • PRINCE2 Second Major Revision by AXELOS – 2017
  • The 6th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2017
  • PRINCE2 Agile – 2018
  • The 7th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2021

Unthinkable Projects in Project Management History (With Images)

1. USA Hoover Dam: Over 5,200 workers from six companies collaborated to deliver this project.

USA Hoover Dam
Source: Britannica

2. Apollo Space Program: The Apollo project was the first space program to land the first human on the moon's surface.

Apollo Space Program
Source: Airandspace

3. The Eurotunnel: A complex project connecting two European nations, England and France.

The Eurotunnel
Source: The Times

4. Panama Canal Expansion: A massive project expanding the Panama canal to accommodate more traffic.

Panama Canal Expansion
Source: Wikipedia

5. Large Hadron Collider (LHC): Over 10,000 scientists, 100 laboratories, and 100 countries supported this project.

Historical Changes In Modern Project Management at a Glance

There are four development stages in the history of project management:

  • The Early Stage (Before 1958). Introduction of Project Management as a Discipline.
  • The 2nd Stage (1958-1979). The Start of Modern Project Management.
  • The 3rd Stage (1980-1994). Improved Risk Management and Boom in Soft Engineering in Project Management.
  • The 4th Stage (1995-Now). The Internet Stage and Agile Revolution.

Early Stage (Before 1958). Introduction of Project Management as a Discipline.

The early or first stage covers human history before 1958. According to Historians, World War I and II periods marked the use of the first formal project management techniques. There is no evidence that historical projects like the Great Pyramid of Giza used PM techniques.

Henry Gantt is the founder of modern project management. He developed several planning and control techniques; the most popular is the Gantt chart.

Before the 20th century, there was no regard for project management as a discipline. It was a skillset necessary for project success. However, historical projects such as the Manhattan and Polaris required a better organizational approach for successful project management.

The lack of a dependable project management methodology led to new tools like PERT and CPM for managing complex projects.

Notable Project Management Advancements

  • Gantt Chart: Henry Gantt created a project scheduling diagram in the 1910s. The Gantt chart is a group of horizontal bars that show progress for different project tasks.
  • Critical Path Method (CPM): CPM is a step-by-step technique that helps you plan and schedule project tasks in order of priority and time sensitivity. Project leaders use it to schedule and prioritize project activities (critical, non-critical, and project dependencies). Morgan R. Walker and James E. Kelley developed CPM in the late 1950s.
  • Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT): PERT is a visual tool that helps project leaders plan and calculate the minimum time needed to complete each task and the entire project. The US Department of Defense developed PERT during the Cold War. It used the technique for the Polaris project to launch ballistic missiles from the submarine.
  • The American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE): 59 cost estimators and engineers formed the AACE in 1956. AACE is the leading project management professional society for cost estimators, project managers, and project control specialists.

Profound Project Innovations

  • Manhattan Project: A research and development project during World War II that produced the first atomic bombs. The Manhattan project separated project leadership from any engineering or research responsibilities. It spanned through 1942 and 1946 under the operations of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Polaris Project: Early in the Cold War, the Navy’s Special Projects Office produced the first nuclear missiles that could be launched from submarines. The PERT technique helped manage the project schedules.
  • Interstate Highway System: The highway system was one of the top capital projects in the USA during this historical stage. It was a series of fully supervised highways. Project managers also used PERT to manage work schedules on this project.
  • USA Hoover Dam: The project began in 1931. Six independent companies worked together to complete the Hoover Dam in 1936. The project required 5,200 workers and a large number of construction resources. This project’s success depended on tight management due to its complex schedules.

2nd Stage (1958-1979). The Start of Modern Project Management History.

1958 was an essential year for project management. The CPM and PERT techniques became popular for managing successful projects.

Before 1958, managers did not use project methodologies. Instead, a project’s success depended on the talent of individual project members or a particular management style.

The modern project management era began around 1965 with the creation of the International Project Management Association (IPMA). IPMA was a European project management body.

In 1969, the Project Management Institute (PMI), another notable project management body, was founded in North America.

In the early 70s, project management was applied mainly in aerospace, defense, and construction projects. However, in the mid-70s, it began to spread to other industries.

The 1970s saw the development of important project management strategies like work breakdown structure (WBS).

Notable Project Management Advancements

  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): WBS is a vital tool for achieving project objectives. This tool breaks down the project into smaller activities to help increase productivity. It became popular when the US authorities made it compulsory to manage government projects.
  • Conflict Management: Conflicts may arise among the project team and leaders. That’s normal because they are humans. During the 2nd stage, conflict management became necessary for reaching a favorable project outcome.
  • Iterative Project Planning: Iterative planning is the act of making adjustments to accommodate changes as the project unfolds. You break down projects into smaller bits and execute each bit independently. Project Mercury used this project management technique.

Profound Project Innovations

  • Apollo and Space: Space programs contain some of the most significant projects in history. Between 1968 and 1972, Project Apollo landed the first human on the moon's surface. Apollo and other space programs used project scheduling models like CPM, PERT, and WBS.
  • ARPANET: ARPANET means Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. It was the first public packet-switched computer network and the prototype for the internet. This network linked diverse academic and research institutions in 1971.

3rd Stage (1980-1994). Improved Risk Management & Boom in Soft Engineering.

Improvement in project risk management happened in the 1980s. Before this period, project managers used the Waterfall method to solve project issues as they appeared. Unfortunately, it sometimes increased costs and caused project failures.

New project management methods like Scrum and Lean helped project managers better anticipate and avoid project risks.

Software engineering boomed in this period. And software development projects became the new bride of the PM industry.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) released a report titled “Ethics, Standard, and Accreditation Project” in 1981. This report led to the first new project management process groups.

The PMI expanded the Ethics, Standards, and Accreditation report in 1986. It released the first version of the PMBOK in an international journal called the Project Management Journal.

Notable Project Management Advancements

  • First Lightweight Methodologies: Lightweight’s first methodologies are software development methods with only a few practices and rules. Before Agile became popular, there were other experiments. 1986 saw the introduction of Scrum, while 1991 saw the development of Rapid Application Development and Crystal Methods.
  • Risk Management: The Challenger disaster brought about the need to manage project risks properly. A new version of PMBOK created in 1987 introduced risk management as a part of the business process.
  • The Universal Use of PM Software: The boom in software engineering affected all sectors. Smaller computers replaced large mainframes. With the development of powerful software, advanced techniques became commonplace.
  • PM Certification Programs: PMI started its first project management certification in 1984. Subsequently, more PM certifications became available.
  • Separation of Management Science and Project Management: Management science became separate from project management. Also, program management became a standalone discipline.

Profound Project Innovations

  • Challenger Project: The failure of the Challenger project led to an investigation into the causes of project failure. As a result, project management focused more on a quality risk management and control system.
  • The Eurotunnel: The 50 kilometers (31 miles) England-France tunnel was a complex project needing detailed measurements. This project used project risk management and quality assurance techniques.

4th Stage (1995-Now). The Internet and Agile Revolution in PM History.

The internet marked a new era for effective project management. Like in any other field, the internet transformed how we organize and manage projects. Modern project management tools have become accessible to individuals and small business owners.

Software development led to the rise of new project management ideas. The Agile Manifesto, published in 2001, merged earlier techniques and new ideas to form the core of Agile project management.

Today, you can find project management ideas in corporate and strategic management. Project management is shaping the overall business strategy of many businesses and industries.

Project management is now a global affair thanks to globalization. To accomplish the desired project outcome, project managers with a global team need to consider multicultural differences.

Notable Project Advancements

  • Agile Software Methodologies: Agile approaches were initially created for software development. They strongly emphasize teamwork and iterative procedures. These methodologies are self-managing and can produce work results quickly for agile-based projects.
  • Redefined Working Conditions: The rate of working from home has increased significantly, thanks to remote work. This new work practice made it possible to run many projects remotely. Project members don’t have to be in the same location to execute the project, thanks to online team collaboration tools.
  • Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM): CCPM is the modified version of the popular CPM. It ensures the use of the appropriate materials or resources during project execution. Unlike CPM, CCPM allows project managers to track resource availability.
  • Project Management Software: The internet made project management software more accessible for the project team. Organizations could employ virtual teams and effectively monitor their activities through PM software.
  • Project Management Awards and Degrees: Apart from the numerous PMI certifications available, project management is widely recognized as a profession. Many universities offer bachelor’s degrees in project management. The PMI gives Fellow Awards to deserving members.

Profound Project Innovations

  • Panama Canal Expansion: The rise in global trade caused traffic issues at the Panama canal. The Panama Canal expansion project added a new traffic lane to increase its capacity. More and larger ships could pass through the canal. However, the project did not meet its deadline, and it was accomplished with a total cost of $5 billion on June 26, 2016.
  • Large Hadron Collider (LHC): LHC is the world’s largest particle accelerator. Its greatest threat was its lengthy project lifecycle, spanning 50 years. LHC’s project requirements were massive, and the development team needed extensive research. Over 10,000 scientists, 100 laboratories, and 100 countries supported this project.

Major Milestones in Project Management History

You can trace the history of project management to the beginning of civilization. However, modern project management began in the 1950s.

The Egyptian Great Pyramids of Giza – 2570 B.C.

Where else to look for evidence of project management in the ancient world rather than at the Great Pyramids of Giza? Historians trace the building of the pyramids from around 2550 to 2490 B.C.

The construction of the pyramids amazed archaeologists. Ancient records show that the King assigned each face of the pyramid to different project managers.

Each project manager gave attention to proper planning, scheduling, and execution. You can judge from the architectural magnificence of the Great Pyramids.

The Great Walls of China – 208 B.C.

The Chinese Dynasty built the Great Walls of China across the northern borders of the old Chinese States. The idea behind the construction of the walls was to protect China from nomadic groups.

Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, organized a huge workforce to carry out the project. The workers fell into the categories of soldiers, criminals, and citizens.

Frederic Taylor’s ‘The Principles of Scientific Management – 1911

Frederic Taylor was an expert in the steel industry. He wrote a book titled “The Principles of Scientific Management.”

In his book, he introduced three core project management principles. They include benchmarking, process redesign, and workouts.

The Gantt Chart – 1917

Henry Gantt designed the Gantt Chart in 1917. This invention earned him “The Father of Modern Project Management.”

The Gantt Chart came into the limelight in the 1920s. Project managers used Gantt Chart during the construction of Hoover Dam. Modern-day project managers still use Gantt Charts to show project progress.

The American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) – 1956

In 1956, early project management practitioners, cost estimators, schedulers, and engineers formed the AACE (now AACE International). It is the leading professional body for project managers and project control specialists.

The Critical Path Method (CPM) – 1957

CPM is a project management technique developed by the Dupont Corporation. Its original purpose was to solve the complex process of maintaining chemical plants.

Today, the CPM predicts project duration by checking which tasks are less flexible for scheduling.

The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) – 1958

The US Department of Defense’s Navy Special Projects Office was the brain behind PERT. During the Cold War, the US Navy initiated the Polaris Project. It used the PERT technique to launch its ballistic missile from a submarine.

PERT gives you an estimate of the total time you need to complete each task. With this information, you can know the minimum time you need to finish the project.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Approach – 1962

You can trace multiple project management practices to US Department of Defense government projects. One such practice is the WBS concept used to manage the Polaris project.

After its early success, the US government mandated future projects to use the WBS approach. WBS is a hierarchical tree structure showing you the various tasks and deliverables you need to complete to deliver projects.

The Work Breakdown Structure
Source: Wrike

The International Project Management Association (IPMA) – 1965

The IPMA is the first project management body founded in Vienna, Austria, in 1965. Project managers from different countries and fields come together to network and share valuable information. Currently, IPMA has over 120,000 members.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) – 1969

The PMI is a non-profit organization formed to promote the project management profession in 1969. It offers two project management certifications:

  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP).

The PROMPT II Method – 1975

Simpact Systems Limited created the PROMPT II method in 1975. Before PROMPT II, computer projects exceeded the time and budget estimates. PROMPT II solved this problem by setting guidelines for a computer project.

The success of this method attracted government patronage. In 1979, the UK's Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) used PROMPT II for all information systems projects.

The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering by Fred Brooks – 1975

Fred Brooks managed the development of OS/360 at IBM. In his book, Fred argued that adding an extra team member to a late software project affects its completion date.

Why? The additional member needs a briefing on the project. Also, there is an extra workload for the project manager to supervise an extra member.

The Theory of Constraints (TOC) – 1984

A novel, “The Goal,” by Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1984), introduced the Theory of Constraints (TOC) into project management. TOC is a continuous improvement technique that identifies and resolves the team's constraints in delivering projects.

The Establishment of Scrum – 1986

The Agile Scrum Framework at a glance
Source: Neonrain

Scrum is an agile framework that manages projects using sprints. Agile sprints in Scrum break down a project into smaller milestones for easier execution.

Takeuchi and Nonaka named Scrum a project management style in the Harvard Business Review paper (1986), “The New New Product Development Game.”

The original intention for Scrum was to manage software development projects. However, project managers now use it for various project types, including as a programme management approach.

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – 1987

PMBOK is a guide published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that outlines the best practices for managing projects. Project managers and organizations use it as a reference for planning and executing projects.

Every few years, there is an updated edition of the PMBOK to reflect changes and advancements in project management. The PMBOK is accepted globally as an essential project management resource.

The PRINCE Method from PROMPT II – 1989

CCTA, a UK government agency, developed the PRINCE method. This was an improvement on the Prompt II method.

PRINCE represents PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE). This project management approach allows organizations to prioritize projects and allocate resources effectively. However, the PRINCE method was only suitable for large projects.

CHAOS Report First Published – 1994

The CHAOS report, first published in 1994, covers project failures in the IT industry to improve success rates. This report found that many organizations struggle with chaotic software development processes, leading to high costs, delays, and poor-quality products.

The PRINCE2 by CCTA – 1996

The CCTA published PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) in 1996. This method helped to reduce costs and time overruns on IT projects. Over time, it became applicable to any project type.

The Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) – 1997

Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt developed the Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) method in 1997. This method focuses on identifying and managing the constraints that limit an organization's ability to achieve its goals.

CCPM differs from traditional project management methods with buffer management. Buffers protect the project's critical path from uncertainty and variability. CCPM is popular in the construction, manufacturing, and software development industries.

The Standardization of PMBOK – 1998

In 1998, the American National Standard (ANSI) made PMBOK the standard for project management. This recognition boosted the credibility of the PMBOK and its guidelines.

The Agile Manifesto – 2001

The Agile Manifesto
Source: Clickhowto

The Agile Manifesto is a set of guiding principles for software development, first published in 2001. It majors on the idea that project managers should develop software through collaboration and flexibility rather than traditional, rigid, and complex methods.

These values guide teams in prioritizing collaboration, flexibility, and adaptability over rigid processes and difficult rules. By embracing these values, teams can create better software more efficiently and effectively.

The Total Cost Management Framework by AACE International – 2006

The Total Cost Management (TCM) framework helps organizations manage projects using cost engineering skills and knowledge. It is the first integrated process for program and project portfolio management.

TCM integrates cost engineering, estimating, planning, control, and analysis throughout the project lifecycle.

The 4th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2008

The fourth edition of the PMBOK marked a significant revision, with updates to the guide's content, structure, and organization.

One of the critical changes in the fourth edition was the inclusion of two new processes:

  • Identify Stakeholders.
  • Collect Requirements.

The PMI added these processes to reflect the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication in successful project delivery.

Major PRINCE2 Revision by Office of Government Commerce – 2009

In 2009, there were significant revisions to PRINCE2. The updated version has seven principles not included in the previous. These changes ensure project success by making PRINCE2 a more effective methodology for project managers.

ISO 21500:2012 Standard for Project Management Released – 2012

The ISO 21500:2012 standard for project management is an international standard that provides guidelines and principles for project management.

Experts from 50+ countries spent five years designing the ISO 21500:2012 standard for any project regardless of size, complexity, and duration.

The ISO 21500:2012 standard covers the key elements of project management, such as the project life cycle, processes, roles, and responsibilities. It is compatible with international project management standards, such as the PMBOK Guide.

The 5th Edition of The PMBOK Guide Released – 2012

The Project Management Institute (PMI) released the 5th edition of the PMBOK guide in 2012. This edition introduces four new planning processes and a new knowledge area called Project Stakeholder Management.

PRINCE2 Second Major Revision by AXELOS – 2017

AXELOS is the global best practice company responsible for the governance and management of PRINCE2. The revised version focuses on flexibility and scalability. It uses tips, hints, and examples to show how to adjust PRINCE2 core principles to your projects.

The 6th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2017

The 6th edition of the PMBOK Guide includes a new chapter on the role of the project manager. It also emphasizes project governance, project management business documents, the PMI Talent Triangle, and essential PM skills.

These changes reflect the increasing importance of agile and flexible approaches in today's fast-paced business environment.

PRINCE2 Agile – 2018

PRINCE2 Agile combines the principles and processes of PRINCE2 with agile concepts and practices. It helps you manage and deliver projects in an agile environment while maintaining PRINCE2 structures and controls.

The 7th Edition of PMBOK Guide Released – 2021

The 7th edition of the PMBOK Guide focuses on project outcomes and deliverables regardless of the approach used. This edition covers different development approaches and processes, such as agile, traditional, hybrid, adaptive, and predictive.

Future History Of Project Management

Emerging technologies will have a massive impact on project management's future. These technologies will bring new PM tools and methods and redefine the project manager’s role.

Three future trends will impact project management:

  • Digitization and Emerging Technologies.
  • Employment.
  • Enhanced Data Analysis.

1. Digitization and Emerging Technologies

The future of the business environment is digital. Compared to a paper-based business environment, there is no limit to the information you can store digitally. However, collecting the needed information from the database can take time and effort.

Emerging technologies like cloud storage, machine learning, and artificial intelligence help make the project management process easier.

  • Cloud storage helps you safely store and access your information from any location and device.
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence tools help manage the information stored in your database and aid proper decision-making.

2. Employment

Do you wonder whether AI will take over project management jobs? The answer is yes and no. AI will not replace the project manager role and that of the project team, at least for the foreseeable future!

AI and other emerging technologies will help the project manager and team perform repetitive, low-level tasks. Your team will have more time to spend on the project's more creative and technical aspects.

3. Enhanced Data Analysis

Powerful computer tools can help you analyze and assess your digitized information. Excellent data analysis helps you spot factors that ensure project success and determine the causes of project failure.

Analyzing data on previous project activities reveals the best ways to reduce project costs and manage project activities. Carrying out data analysis early in the project lifecycle prevents complications.

Do you want to know more about project management? Check out these articles.

Project management for beginners
Inspiring project management examples
Essential Project management statistics
Quotes about project management
What is gold plating in project management
KPIs and metrics to track in project management
The scope creep in project management

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Anastasia Belyh

Editor at FounderJar

Anastasia has been a professional blogger and researcher since 2014. She loves to perform in-depth software reviews to help software buyers make informed decisions when choosing project management software, CRM tools, website builders, and everything around growing a startup business.

Anastasia worked in management consulting and tech startups, so she has lots of experience in helping professionals choosing the right business software.