Lee Lambert didn’t just witness the rise of the PMP, he helped build it.
In this episode of Project Management Matters, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the profession’s pioneers to talk about how project management has evolved, and what comes next.
From his roots as an engineer to his role in helping PMI develop the original PMP certification, Lee has spent five decades championing the profession across more than 50 countries. He’s taught over 50,000 students. He’s seen project management move from niche discipline to global backbone. He still travels the world sharing his experience, volunteers for PMI, and helps others discover Project Management’s value.
How the PMP Was Born (and Reinvented)
Back in 1984, when the first PMP exam launched, there was no PMBOK Guide. No formal content outline. Just 55 people in a room and a lot of expertise shared through white papers and conversation.
“People ask, how did we certify PMs before the PMBOK? We made it up, but we knew what we were doing.”
Lee worked closely with PMI over several years to create a credential that would stand the test of time. But in those early years, adoption was slow, just 6,000 PMPs existed by 1996.
Then everything changed.
With the publication of the PMBOK Guide and streamlining the process, major corporations like IBM and AT&T adopted the PMP as their internal gold standard. From that point on, the numbers exploded.
What He’d Do Differently
Even as a founding voice, Lee is candid about what didn’t work:
* The experience requirement may have been too low.
* The over-reliance on “boot camps” risks the perception of the certification.
* The growth is impressive, but not without trade-offs.
He mentions in certain instances that:
“We’re seeing people who are great test takers, but not necessarily great project managers.”
Lee argues that while certifications matter, experience and application matter more. He believes we need to continue to evolve the certifications and standards as we focus more on capability and experience.
The Future Is Now: AI, Agile, and What Comes Next
Lee has seen the profession through multiple waves: Earned Value, Agile, and now AI. He’s not mincing words:
“You don’t need to worry about AI taking your job. You need to worry about someone who knows AI taking your job.”
He sees AI as a major inflection point, more profound than Agile. But he’s quick to point out: Project Management isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming more valuable.
What matters is adaptability. Not tools or trends. The ability to stay current, stay curious, and stay connected.
Generational Wisdom
Lee also reflected on how the profession has shifted across generations.
“Project management is a team sport. But we’re seeing more people who want to work alone, avoid feedback, and skip the messy human part. That won’t work.”
For Lee, resilience and connection aren’t soft skills, they’re survival skills.
Why He Still Shows Up
Lee doesn’t volunteer for the title. He does it for the impact the profession delivers. One student told him:
“You changed my life.”
He’s proud of what project management has become. But he’s even more excited about what it can still be.
“Project management is a great opportunity. But it only matters if you make something of it.”
🎧 Watch the Full Episode
🎙️ Project Management Matters | Episode 10Guest: Lee Lambert, PMP, One of the Founders of the PMP
Reflect and Share
What part of Lee’s story resonates with you?Did your path into PM feel intentional or accidental?What do you wish today’s new PMs understood about the craft?
Hit reply or share your thoughts in the comments.
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