| AQUENT LAUNCHES PROJECT MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES FOR 2003
Boston, MA (January 2, 2003) --- Aquent, a global professional services firm delivering IT and Creative solutions, will be launching new project management initiatives next year with the goal of driving a higher standard of excellence in IT project management.
"The move toward Internet technology has increased the number of variables IT Project Managers have to manage to achieve overall success," says Dan Neff, Director of Aquent's Software Development Center in East Moline, IL. "The skills and certifications required of today's PMs are much more complex because solutions are no longer limited to one platform like they were in the mainframe days. An integrated web solution has many components, including tying into all of the legacy technology from the past."
Aquent recently joined The Project Management Institute's (PMI's) Corporate Council to begin a dialogue with PMI and other organizations regarding the future of the global economy and the strategic issues impacting project management practices. "One of the drivers of the traditionally poor performance of the IT industry is the lack of a strong formal certification for PMs focusing on IT projects," says Neff. "PMI is addressing this issue by creating supplemental certifications in areas of specialization, like IT. A disciplined approach to implementing the concepts covered under these certifications will definitely have a positive impact on IT projects."
The purpose of PMI's Corporate Council is to establish partnerships with leading project management organizations in an effort to better understand their corporate-level project management needs while at the same time providing the organizations with valuable resources and benefits.
"For PMI, the knowledge gained from participants like Aquent about the role that project management practices play in influencing the strategic directions and decision of the enterprise is invaluable," says Karen Alfonsi, PMI's Interim Chief Executive Officer. "It can help to determine the best ways to meet employer's needs in the changing economy through the development and enhancement of PMI products, programs, and services."
About Aquent:
Aquent (aquent.com) is a privately held professional services company with nearly 70 offices in 15 countries. Aquent focuses on IT and Creative Services, and provides a wide range of consulting, outsourcing, and staffing solutions for Global 1000 companies. Aquent was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. | 
