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Contributor
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INVESTING IN SUCCESS, NOT JUST DAMAGE CONTROL
By Eugene le Roux, FSAIRAC, and Eamonn Ryan
The untapped power of project management training: investing in success, not just damage control.
The question of whether training in project management is important might seem almost rhetorical in today ' s complex and evolving business landscape. Yet, the persistent challenges of project failures, cost overruns and missed deadlines suggest that the true value and necessity of such training are often underestimated or overlooked.
This article delves into the critical role of project management training, exploring why its benefits might not be immediately obvious, why its absence can lead to costly and irreversible project failures, and why investing in this area is not just prudent but essential for organisational success.
One of the inherent challenges in advocating for comprehensive project management training is that
Astonishingly, some managers remain unaware of potential tax rebates.
its advantages are not always immediately tangible. The time and financial resources allocated to upskilling employees in this discipline might not yield instant, quantifiable results that directly translate to immediate project wins. This can lead to a perception, particularly among
Eugene le Roux
senior management often removed from the day-to-day intricacies of project execution, that such training is an optional expense rather than a strategic investment. Furthermore, senior leadership may lack a detailed understanding of the specific skill gaps and expertise levels of individuals operating at lower management tiers, making it difficult to appreciate the potential impact of targeted project management training on overall project performance.
However, the consequences of neglecting project management training often become starkly apparent when a project veers off course. Ironically, in the aftermath of a failed project, identifying the root causes of the derailment is often not a particularly complex exercise. Hindsight provides a clear lens through which to see where planning was inadequate, communication broke down, risks were mismanaged or scope creep spiraled out of control. The truly painful realisation, however, is that once significant
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RACA Journal I September 2025 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za