American organizations spend over $135 billion annually on training with an unknown return on investment. When budgets decline, leaders typically reduce training, despite the known influence of such training on employee motivation. To explore the perceptions of government-focused project managers regarding the effect of a lack of standardized training programs on workplace productivity, this phenomenological study, guided by Higgins's regulatory focus theory, applied semistructured interviews of 20 project managers from southern Texas. Using a modified van Kaam method, the findings showed 4 major themes related to project managers understanding (a) the need for common training experiences, (b) how perceptions of the importance of a training program influences trainee motivation, (c) what determinants characterize quality training, and (d) how training programs effect workplace productivity. Study recommendations included that organizational leaders understand the incentive and training needs of employees, adaptation of training programs meet the needs and motivation of employees, and employees provide feedback to improve training programs. These findings will promote future research on training program development for project managers and consultants. The findings may lead to social change by emphasizing training programs that motivate employees in the workplace and the community. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]