PPM News

25 February 2026

Apparently, yes!

Project management is Greek now, or rather, it will soon be.

The Taylor & Francis Group recently reached an agreement with Propobos Publications PC to have the book Project Management for Engineering, Business, and Technology, 7th Edition by John M Nicholas and Herman Steyn translated into the Greek language. The expected publication date is January 2028, and the licence is valid for 7 years.

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12 January 2026

The first short course in project management, offered by the GSTM in collaboration with EUP (Enterprises University of Pretoria), was initially presented 30 years ago. This was both preceded and followed by some interesting developments.

Trends in project management and technology

Some notable long-term trends in project management are evident:

Scientific approaches to management evolved primarily from the work of the mechanical engineer Frederick Taylor (1856–1915), and the first formal project management technique, the Gantt chart, gained traction during the First World War. To manage large industrial and military projects, more sophisticated scheduling techniques were developed from the late 1950s. Until about 1990, project management was primarily viewed in the light of the “iron triangle” that mainly stressed scheduling, budgeting, and the control of quality, progress, and cost. By the 1990s, project management had found applications in multiple areas beyond large engineering projects. Also during the 1990s, academics and practitioners began to recognise project management as a multidisciplinary management field that encompasses knowledge from diverse fields, including, for example, financial management, organizational dynamics, and contract management.
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03 December 2025

A Vision That Became Reality

The Programme in Project Management (PPM), launched in 1997 at the University of Pretoria, was the initiative of Prof. Herman Steyn. Around 1996, project management evolved from a narrow field of scheduling, budgeting, and control to a professional, multi-disciplinary field. He recognised the potential of the University of Pretoria – a large, multidisciplinary university – to move beyond Gantt charts and address the various aspects of the emerging, interdisciplinary field of project management. The department of the university, which has since evolved into the Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM), was the ideal incubator for developing project management programmes, integrating various disciplines at the University into educational project management programmes.

Recognising also the growing demand for skilled project managers in South Africa, he envisioned a programme that combined academic rigor with practical, real-world application. His goal was simple yet ambitious: to create a structured, multidisciplinary course that would equip working professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage projects successfully across various industries. The leadership of the GSTM bought into this vision, collaborated with Enterprises University of Pretoria (EUP), and has been supporting the initiative enthusiastically.
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06 November 2025

Today, we honor the profession that turns vision into reality, transforming strategy into measurable success — and the project managers who make it happen.

Project management is the foundation of progress — guiding industries, organisations, and communities to deliver lasting impact. Project managers are the driving force behind every breakthrough: navigating complexity, inspiring teams, and fuelling innovation under pressure.

Over the years, project management has evolved into a globally recognised profession built on principles of strategy, structure, and leadership. It equips professionals with the tools to manage uncertainty, balance competing priorities, and ensure that innovation becomes reality — not just intention.

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06 October 2025

We are thrilled to share that on 1 October 2025, Prof Herman Steyn was awarded the esteemed PMI South Africa Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award! This is the highest individual recognition for excellence, leadership, and service to the project management profession.

This prestigious award recognizes Prof Herman Steyn’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and transformative contributions to the project management profession in South Africa and beyond. Through his impactful work in academia and industry, Prof Steyn has inspired countless professionals and elevated the field of project management. The Programme in Project Management (PPM) proudly celebrates this remarkable milestone! We are proud to have him as our course leader.

Congratulations, Prof Steyn, on this well-deserved recognition!

16 September 2025

The Programme in Project Management (PPM) offers great value for money. The course content is both challenging and enriching, providing delegates with a rewarding learning experience.

With its strict deadlines and emphasis on delivering high-quality work, the PPM embodies the principles of project management—in content, and in the way the course is structured and delivered.

All the presenters are experts in their respective fields and respond promptly and professionally to queries on all the various engagement platforms.

Whether you're considering a career in project management or are an experienced professional seeking a refresher, I highly recommend enrolling in the PPM through Enterprises University of Pretoria.
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10 September 2025

Congratulations to Dr Schalk Grobbelaar on receiving the SAIIE Award for Best Industrial Engineering Work conducted in Industry. As our distinguished Project Risk Management lecturer in the Programme in Project Management, this recognition reflects his meaningful contributions to the field and his commitment to advancing excellence in both practice and education.

12 July 2025

The 7th edition of the project management book Project Management for Engineering , Business and Technology by John M Nicholas of Loyola University Chicago and Herman Steyn of the University of Pretoria was launched early in July 2025.

The book addresses project management across all industries.

Both authors have extensive experience in industry, followed by decades of experience in university project management teaching. The book reflects these personal experiences, extensive research performed by the authors, and the wisdom and suggestions of colleagues and reviewers.

The book Project Management for Engineering, Business and Technology is published by Routledge of the Taylor & Francis Group and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook.

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14 April 2025

This Testimonial was written by Tertuis Cloete as a personal reflection and testimony on completing the Programme in Project Management (PPM) at Enterprises University of Pretoria and achieved the best student award.

I am Tertuis Cloete from Steinkopf, Northern Cape, working at the Department of Water and Sanitation on the Clanwilliam Dam project in the Western Cape.

Starting the online PPM course, I was already a project manager, but I needed a clearer grasp of comprehensive project management despite following the PMBOK approach. The course clarified how to effectively coordinate all aspects to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.

The course dramatically improved my understanding of project fundamentals: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. It taught me to integrate various knowledge areas and craft a cohesive Project Management Plan. I learned to break down the project scope into manageable work packages and connect time and cost factors for a strong project base.
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09 April 2025

This LinkedIn post was written by Mpolokeng Rammutloa as a personal reflection and testimony on completing the Programme in Project Management (PPM) at Enterprises University of Pretoria.

28 March 2025, was not just an ordinary day at the office, it was a celebration of resilience and achievement!

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the unsung heroes, the faceless champions who work tirelessly behind the scenes. You are the educational doulas who make every event possible. Your dedication truly impacts lives and I applaud you all! Well done team Enterprises University of Pretoria.

A special shoutout to our incredible alumni, who persevered through challenges and successfully completed their programmes. Congratulations to each and every one of you, this accomplishment is well-deserved!

As if the day could not get any better, I found myself on the receiving end. A huge thank you to Prof Herman Steyn and the entire academic team for delivering such an insightful programme Programme in Project Management - Enterprises.
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02 April 2025

On Friday, 28th March 2025, Enterprises University of Pretoria hosted a successful certificate ceremony to celebrate the achievements of participants in various professional programs presented by the Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM). We were honored to have Dr Brighton Tshuma, Founder and Principal Consultant of PROJECTNEERS Consulting Engineers & Project Managers, and Director: Seleka Hydro Resources and Seleka Infra Eng. Ltd. as our esteemed guest speaker. Prof. Elma Van Der Lingen, Course Leader for the Programme in Innovation Management, welcomed attendees, while Prof. Herman Steyn, Krige Visser and Rudolph Oosthuizen presented respectively certificates for the Programmes in Project Management, Asset and Maintenance Management, Maintenance Management, Engineering Management, and Innovation Management. A heartfelt thank you to all faculty members, including Prof. Wynand Steyn, Dean of EBIT, and Mr. Henry Karow and Ms. Elna Venter from Enterprises University of Pretoria for their contributions to the event.

We congratulate all graduates and wish them success in applying their newfound skills in their careers!
Please refer to the original article on LinkedIn

27 January 2025

Congratulations to Prof Herman Steyn on receiving the College of Performance Management Professor of the Year Award.

This esteemed award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching, produce significant research outputs, and has published academic papers or books in performance management.

Prof Herman Steyn is widely acclaimed as the co-author (with J. Nicholas) of the renowned textbook Project Management for Engineering, Technology & Business, with its 7th edition set to be published in 2025. This textbook is used by universities worldwide and has been translated into multiple languages, including Polish, Mandarin, and Ukrainian.
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