The doctor of project management: Experience in development and implementation of a project management professional doctorate

While several Doctor of Business Administration programs have project management streams and research doctorates can cater for project management topics, there has not been a specifically designed professional doctorate in project management developed until the RMIT University Doctor of Project Management (DPM) program was offered in 2001. The contribution that this paper makes is in providing others with insights into not only the development of the DPM but also experience of its implementation during its first year. The paper provides a description of the program's development and an discussion of lessons learned from the early stages of the program's delivery. The program features elements of on-line web-based delivery as well as supervision of research and this provides fertile ground for relating lesson learned. The crucial need for human contact between candidate and delivering institution is highlighted. Conclusions presented also suggest a need for collaboration and forming alliances with both academic institutions and business entities to expand the program's reach.