Unified Call for 'PM Legislation'... Government States "Establishing Growth Foundation through Comprehensive Project Management"

On the 25th, panelists are taking a commemorative photo at the 'Comprehensive Program Management for Mega Project Success' seminar held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Photo by HanmiGlobal

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] The government is currently consulting with the National Assembly and related ministries to institutionalize the Program Management (PgM) system and aims to have the amendment to the 'Construction Technology Promotion Act' passed in the first half of next year.

On the 25th, Yoon Sang-won, a technical innovation officer at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, participated as a discussant at the 'Comprehensive Project Management for Mega Project Success' seminar held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, stating, "It is necessary to demonstrate the extent of the effectiveness when introducing comprehensive project management."

Comprehensive project management involves planning and managing interconnected complex projects, focusing on the success or failure of the entire project rather than individual units. The highest-level client or project entity enters into multiple contracts with multiple contractors. Globally, comprehensive project management is commonly applied in urban development, plants, and large-scale construction projects.

In Korea, the need for comprehensive project management has steadily emerged in large national projects. In June last year, Lee Heon-seung, a member of the People Power Party, introduced a representative amendment to the Construction Technology Promotion Act to revitalize Construction Project Management (PM), and the government plans to add provisions for introducing comprehensive project management.

Oh Doo-won, Executive Director of Dohwa Engineering, who participated as a discussant, emphasized that there are many difficulties on-site and that legalization must be achieved. Oh said, "I am involved in the pre-design phase related to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, but there are no standards for calculating compensation for management personnel anywhere," adding, "Management and administration are as important as construction and firefighting technologies. Through legalization, appropriate compensation should be provided for PM tasks."

There was also an opinion that distinguishing between PM and supervision is important. Kim Kyung-tae, Director of the Construction Strategy Research Institute at HanmiGlobal, explained, "The fundamental roles of PM and supervision are different, and viewing program optimization at a comprehensive level differs from focusing on the success of individual projects." He also mentioned the need to establish a higher-level governance concept.

All discussants agreed on the need to persuade the National Assembly and the Ministry of Economy and Finance through strong solidarity. Yoon Eun-sang, Director of Korea CMC, emphasized, "It is necessary to support the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which plays an intermediary role in legalization at the industry level," adding, "Legalization should be approached as a general concept, and many competent young talents should be attracted."

Officer Yoon stated, "Rather than redefining the definition of comprehensive project management, we plan to include provisions allowing separate tasks such as managing high-difficulty factories beyond PM duties," and added, "Facing the practical issue of 'whether mega projects can be executed,' we will cooperate with public institutions to increase participation of PM companies and enhance their capabilities."