- 1960 An informal group of personnel officers organised itself to discuss personnel practices and listen to guest speakers.
- 1962 The Personnel Management Panel was formed. A syllabus for a diploma in personnel management was put forward.
- 1963 The first Executive Committee, known as the "Steering Committee" was elected. There were 40 applications for membership to the Personnel Management Panel.
- 1965 The first examinations for Part 1 of the Diploma were held. IPMR was established as a branch of IPMSA.
- 1967 The Diploma courses were advertised in the local press as correspondence courses with UNISA, with tutorials at UCR during vacations.
- 1973 IPMR set up offices in Savoy House, Inez Terrace, Harare and employed three permanent staff - a national organiser, a shorthand typist and a messenger.
- 1974 IPMR formally merged with IPMSA in order to extend its services. This meant, among other things, that the IPMR diploma would be phased out.
- 1981 The Institute separated from IPMSA and became IPMZ.
- 1983 The new local intermediate diplomas were introduced.
- 1985 The first five graduates of the local intermediate diploma received their certificates.