Why Certifications Matter (to Me)
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
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By Conrado Morlan
The number of credentials offered by professional associations, hardware and software vendors and other organizations has grown sharply in the last decade. So have the number of credential holders.
There’s much to be said for certifications. Many companies require a certification to advance along their career path. In addition, salary surveys show that, overall, credential holders earn more.
On the other hand, some professionals and employers are not fans of certifications. They argue that many people have forged a career and reputation without them, that accelerated changes in science, technology and government regulations makes certifications hard to maintain, and that the cost and time of pursuing credentials are too high.
I see the value of certifications from two perspectives: the value given by the credential itself, and the value of my contributions to the credential.
The value given by the certification is the importance of the knowledge gained through earning it, the reputation of the institution or professional association that awards it, and the certification’s years on the market.
The value of my contributions to the credential has to do with how it engages me to actively research trends within my profession. This process can help experienced practitioners turn into thought leaders who share their experiences leading and managing projects across the globe. In other words, the value of a certification can cascade beyond the credential holder. Knowledge is shared with other practitioners, helping them to advance in the profession.
Yes, it’s true that some credential holders fall behind and don’t keep up with the latest knowledge and/or renew their credential. Other credential holders don’t follow the established code of ethics, which harms the reputation and value of the credential. But such misbehavior or lack of up-to-date knowledge isn’t the fault of the credential or the credential-awarding organization.
PMI, for example, has a strict renewal process for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification that requires certification holders to earn a specific number of credits per cycle to keep the credential current. And over the 30+ years since the PMP was created, those requirements have been updated to cover market and industry demands.
You may be wondering why I didn’t mention the cost of certifications, and whether they’re worth paying. To me, it’s a no-brainer. I take my professional development personally and always recall former Harvard University President Derek Bok’s quote, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
If you’re a certification holder, how do you measure its value?
Posted
by
Conrado Morlan
on: April 26, 2016 08:00 AM |
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Comments (10)
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Daniel Estby
Director| Clear SIX Consulting
Denver, Nc, United States
I absolutely see the value in certifications… to a point. Certainly they require a certain amount of functional knowledge and experience to achieve. They also require the certification holder to complete (or appear to complete) professional development in order to maintain it. I think that is great, and for many people it an important tool to help show a particular functional knowledge or competency. That being said, I've worked with a number of certified "project managers" over the years who quite frankly, give the profession a bad name. Certification alone does not a project manager make, and there is a real danger in assuming that is the case.
I see a real danger in hiring managers (or recruiters) making a certain certification a hard requirement for consideration. Especially for project managers, cultural fit is key to a person being a successful project manager.
I've shared these ideas before (see my blog post here if you're interested- http://bit.ly/1UNayRf). A certification is certainly a helpful tool, and can be a great motivator to study and learn, and then continue to learn... but not everyone needs that motivation.
Cornado - Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts... this is a perfect example of where you are contributing to the body of knowledge, and fathering our profession!
I see a real danger in hiring managers (or recruiters) making a certain certification a hard requirement. Especially for project managers, cultural fit is key to a person being a successful project manager.
I've shared these ideas before (see my blog post here if you're interested- http://bit.ly/1UNayRf). A certification is certainly a helpful tool, and can be a great motivator to study and learn, and then continue to learn... but not everyone needs that motivation. Cornado - Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts... this is a perfect example of where you are contributing to the body of knowledge, and fathering our profession!
Al Taylor
I.T. Contractor| Independent
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
good discussion...in Canada u can't get past the resume scanners without PMP if u are looking for a PM contract:
here are some metrics the value added by PMPs:
http://www.itprojectstats.com/mgr_designation_col.php
Stéphane Parent
Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker
Prince Edward Island, Canada
My experience with PM positions in Canada seems to be different than Al. Most opportunities I've seen have PMP - or PRINCE2 - has a desirable , not mandatory, requirement.
Al Taylor
I.T. Contractor| Independent
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
hey Stephane that's a good post ! Sometimes I do exaggerate and in fact maybe it is just my resume that is being challenged.....:(
But I can share this fact.....I recently did two contracts at major Canadian life insurance firms (two of the biggest and most successful) and almost every PM, PD, Program Manager, and CRM Manager has the PMP so I think without the designation one would be challenged to get engaged.....Al
Stéphane Parent
Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker
Prince Edward Island, Canada
I agree, Al. Where I find my PMP becomes required is when I have to face a new client. Especially, if I am replacing another PM that has just left.
Al and Stéphane,
Thank you for sharing your Canadian perspective. I have seen in America that the level of interest in PMP certification has declined and it is not the differentiator that used to be in the past. Some interest in PgMP and PfMP certifications had raised but still not many job postings requesting those certifications.
I'd been in close contact with Mexico and Central America and there employers request the PMP certification in their requirements. PfMP and PgMP are requested specially in government RFPs. to
Daniel,
Thank you for taking the time to read the post and for your comments.
I had seen many credential holders wait till the last minute to gather and get their PDUs and that do not benefit the credential, most likely hiring managers are aware of this situation and that may be one of the reasons they do not see value in the certification.
I read the blog post you shared, many novel PMs may try to follow the same path you described after certification and here is where senior project managers can help coaching and mentoring. As you mentioned not all the project are the same and the approach needs to be different. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for contributing in expanding the project management culture.
RMA GOYAL
PM Consultant| Self
Fl, United States
My mentors told me and i recommend the same that its best to have mix of education and experience to spell the magic!
Jorge Espinoza
Cybersecurity Lead| Growth Acceleration Partners
Heredia, Costa Rica
For me the value of my certifications helped me to get more knowledge,to see in a different way the world, the fact that we are not just only responsible of the renewal but sharing with others and thus getting more confidence about the knowledge and set of values we have aquired thru the certification. For me it means a change of mindset and commitment to do the things in the right way following standard guidance.
Ezara Penning
Systems Administrator I| Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Il, United States
The value of certifications can be both professional and personal. For me, it is about personal growth and the acquisition of knowledge that I can then apply to my professional career.
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