Dear Chapter members and project management enthusiasts,

Since the beginning of May, I have succeeded Dr. Andreas Berning as President of the PMI Germany Chapter. Andreas did not stand for re-election for personal and professional reasons. We reported on this in our last newsletter.

Many thanks to all those who voted for me. And many thanks again to Andreas Berning for all that he has done for the PMI Germany Chapter and for PMI in Germany in general over the last few years. If there is ever something like a gallery of those who have made a special contribution to the PMI Germany Chapter, Andreas will be at the top.


The last board election - there were a total of three positions up for election - showed once again, as in previous board elections, that we are having a hard time finding candidates who are willing to take on leadership roles in the association. There was exactly one candidate “up for election” for each office. And achieving this required a great deal of discussion and persuasion beforehand.

This brings me to my first priority in my new office. I would like to ensure that in future, when elections are due, we have candidates who are willing to get involved and take on responsibility for the association. We currently have around 3,400 members. This number will continue to increase in the future. However, when it comes to finding candidates for offices, we find it quite difficult. Yes, it is work, yes, it is at the expense of work or free time, but on the other hand, it also gives you a lot in return. You learn a lot, you build up a national and international network, you make new friends and you do something good, something voluntary. I would like to see more members who have the courage to take on responsibility and stand for election to board positions in the future, and I see this as a priority in my work. I have already met some very promising candidates in recent weeks. I would be delighted if more were to emerge from this.

What else do I want to achieve, what are my priorities?  

This can actually be summarized relatively simply. In the Board of Directors, we have developed strategies and measures for implementation in several rounds over the last few years. I played a key role in this and therefore see no reason to change our fundamental direction.

1) Local Groups

In the overall context of PMI as a global organization, I see the primary task of the chapters as having a regional impact. We are already doing this today and should continue to strengthen it in the future. The local groups with their community-building regulars' tables and local events are the most important building block of the chapter. We should and must continue to strengthen this.

2) PM Summit

Since the merger at the end of 2020, we have been a nationwide chapter. To create an identity, it is necessary to have at least one major event per year in the calendar. Anyone who was at the PMI Global Summit Series in Berlin on April 10 and 11 will understand very well what I mean by that. This year, we will have the pleasure of another Germany-wide event on November 25 and 26 in Munich. We are looking forward to many participants. And the planning for 2025 is already underway. As an association, we need one event like this per year.

3) Communities of Practice (CoPs)

We are part of a professional association. In addition to local exchange via our local groups, it is important to establish platforms for professional exchange. Our medium in this regard is the Communities of Practice (CoPs). These need to be expanded and strengthened.

4) Diversity

Launched by the then Vice President of the Northern Region, Annika Kruszona, and actively supported by Andreas Berning, the chapter's diversity initiative was brought to life. It began with a platform by and for women in project management, followed by the Female Empowerment Program and we have now started the second round of our Youth Empowerment Program. I would like to further strengthen and promote these initiatives and possibly others.

5) Social Reponsibility Program

The “Social Responsibility Program” initiative was launched and established in the PMI Southern Germany Chapter a few years ago. The program consists of directing the PM community's willingness to help to where it is needed. Volunteer project managers support social institutions. The program works where it was established, in southern Germany. However, we would like to roll it out further in other regions of Germany.

In order to do everything I have described, we need volunteers. This brings me full circle to my comments above. Without members who want to volunteer a little more or a little less and take on responsibility, my comments are just words. Fortunately, we have around 150 volunteers who do everything we do today with commitment and enthusiasm. My sincere thanks go to all of you for what you are doing and/or have already done. To everyone else, I call on you to become a member of this great community.

In any case, I look forward to a lively exchange and good cooperation.

Sincerely yours

Wolfgang Friesike