project management certification

project management certification

The Importance and Benefits of Project Management Certification

1. Introduction to Project Management Certification

As with any certification, one should pursue those that are appropriate to their career objectives. There are also many certifications that acknowledge a wide range of experience within the field, as well as many sub-specialties within the profession. Completing a certification in project management is much like taking a college course. They require a considerable amount of work, and do not come cheaply. However, the benefits from obtaining a certification more than outweigh the costs for many people. There are many people in the field who have successfully completed projects for years, but still are not certified. They argue that they get all the work they want and do not need an acronym after their name to help find work. For some, this is a valid argument. However, there are many others who have boosted their career, networked with others in the field, and even found jobs using the network they have developed by completing their certification.

Certifications, no matter what field they are in, are generally the best way for a person to show current or prospective employers that they are well trained and have kept up to date in their field. In the world of project management, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is considered one of the most significant. This is mainly because project management isn’t seen as a single-note field but as one that requires a broad set of management and leadership skills. The PMP certification shows a commitment to the project management profession. It demonstrates credibility. Completing projects is one of the many responsibilities of a project manager. The certification provides a formal foundation for the project management and leadership skills required to successfully complete projects in today’s world. The certification is a demonstration of those experience, education, and a thorough understanding of the PMBOK in any area of the project management profession.

2. Key Benefits of Obtaining Project Management Certification

One-Project management training was typically offered to the employees by the respective organization. The importance of project management training varies in industry by industry and even differs project to project. Some large projects are undertaken without it. Small projects are left with less experienced managers.

Mehta Anil SCIT Project Management Background

The Project Management certificate program provides participants with formal training in the skills needed to successfully manage projects. The objective of this program is to provide participants an understanding of the fundamentals of managing projects, the effective use of project management techniques and skills. To earn a certificate of completion, participants must attend all five core project management courses and successfully complete written assessments on the eight project management knowledge.

Project management has been the cornerstone in the profession of engineering. Engineering has a diverse set of definitions, but at the core of every description is a sense in pursuit of the application of scientific and technical knowledge to solve a problem. These certificate programs can provide only ancillary benefit and are useful in the hands of those who have substantial technical and clinical experience.

INTRODUCTION

Health Care Management Certificate August 1994_Project Management for Engineering

Maureen Lahiff Clinical Effectiveness Research Team (CERT) University of Vermont

Guide to Technical and Clinical Certification in Mood Device Coding

3. Different Types of Project Management Certifications and Their Significance

There are several other types of certifications for project managers. Their significance can be deciphered from the benefits that come with such certifications. Its practical value aside, certification also offers several important intangible benefits. First, it is a mark of competence and professionalism that a project manager can carry with him/her from one employment situation to the next. Many companies use certification as a hiring criterion, giving a distinct advantage to those who hold current credentials. Second, because professionalism carries with it an implicit understanding of the profession and the demands within, certified project managers sometimes enjoy a bit more weight behind their decisions and recommendations with upper management personnel. Third, certification is a constant symbol to the project manager that they have met a performance standard recognized widely as being a mark of knowledge and ethics in project management.

There are several types of certifications that are directly related to project management. Some are general in nature, such as the Certificate in Management from the National Management Association. Others are industry-specific, such as the PMP (“Project Management Professional”) designation in the field of project management or ClSPM (“Certified Software Project Manager”) offered through the Quality Assurance Institute.

The importance of project management is not limited to certain industries. In fact, project management is industry-independent since it offers important skills and knowledge that can be applied across various disciplines and endeavors. From creating the specifications for construction of a new bridge or implementing new software in an insurance company, project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to ensure that desired results are achieved. It is not simply doing the work, but also involves organizing, defining, and confirming the scope and objectives for the project.

4. How to Choose the Right Project Management Certification Program

Remember that having a certificate from a well-known and respected institute will give you better chances of getting interviews and having a job. Even the training content in the best institutes is practical and reflects reality. Some of the institutes offer training with a hands-on approach using real-world cases and practical understanding. Be wary of other schools which will offer you a PMP or PMC without legitimate online or project management experience. You may receive a cheaper tuition rate, but you could be robbing yourself in that way and simply wasting your time as you won’t receive a quality certification.

Step 3. Choose a recognized and reputed institute: As you understand your career goals, it is important to choose which project management certification is best for your needs. Find out more about the kinds of managers who are recognized and in demand not only for your present role but also for any potential career moves and also the kind of salary levels that you expect.

Step 2. Research the different kinds of project management certifications: The second step you may want to follow is to analyze exactly the kind of manager you would like to be. If you are considering a new job role or looking to realign with your organization, better pick the additional requirements that might involve this change, so you can focus back at your project management program as these will be the important topics to address.

Step 1. Identify your professional and career goals: The first and last thing you should always consider is whether a degree or a certification or an additional degree will help you achieve your career goals. Is your goal to become a better project manager, find new clients, or make more money?

Here are a few steps that can help as you embark on your journey to find the right project management certification program for you:

5. Tips for Successfully Obtaining and Maintaining Project Management Certification

To maintain your PMP certification, you will need to accrue 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years. You will also need to sign the certification document every year. This verifies that you are working in project management full time. Keep a folder of NDA of project topics updated. This 60 PDU requirement became effective on December 1, 2000. All PDU claims must be submitted to PMI within five years of the ending calendar year of meeting the requirements. Each certification cycle is referred to as the Continuing Certification Requirement (CCR) cycle. You might start as a basic entry-level PM, e.g. Level I. Over time, you might earn your stripes and experience, make hard career decisions, deal with interesting resolve and problems. In sum, acquire 7,500 hours of project management experience in five years or obtain and maintain your certification.

Review the providers who offer the type of certification desired. Consider or discuss various PMP options such as accredited organization training classes, recognized expert training classes, online MOR and other test prep materials, authorized test training, and licensed prometric test centers. The right refresher program helps you acquire the knowledge and competency necessary to pass the test. Obtain study materials and understand the materials – most people choose the self-study method. You must be knowledgeable about the PMI method, its ten knowledge areas, the correct answers to the questions, and project management concepts. Organize your study time which for most people is meeting in a group, after work or on weekends, to go over the materials. Be confident and ready – preparation is key for a 90% success rate. Do not underestimate or rush the test. The goal is to greatly increase your odds of successful certification. Take the test and upon passing, complete and submit the certification package.

Know what your goal is. When you start, know which certification you are working towards and understand what is involved. Make sure that you are ready for the commitment, including the time, energy, and expense involved. Know your “What’s in it for me?” question. Your choice (or not) to follow through will determine the extent of benefits that you receive. Break the process into simple, manageable components. Develop a plan with milestones that meet your learning style. It is important that these milestones are realistic in view of the balance with work and life commitments.