Participants from industry, government and international agencies converged on Australia's capital for the inaugural International Project Management Symposium.

Officially opened by the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, the keynote was delivered by Boeing vice president Jeffery Worley.

He talked about international leadership in a complex project management environment following his experience as project leader for the international space station.

DMO's deputy CEO, Kim Gillis said DMO is investing heavily in the continuous skilling of project managers who manage complex projects for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Gillis said 40 DMO project managers will be involved in a four and a half day simulation (assessment center) exercise hosted by Boeing USA in Canberra next week.