The Project Management Corner

What is the difference between PMP and ITIL certifications? Which one is better? These are questions that many aspiring and experienced project managers have when they explore the certification options. In my view, it is not a case of one certification being better than the other. Both can be useful to project managers, depending on their needs.

One of the differences is that PMP (Project Management Professional) applies to projects while ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is service oriented. In addition, ITIL is specific to the IT industry, whereas PMP tools and techniques can be applied to a wide range of industries. Some professionals working in IT opt to get both certifications. The PMP, owned by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a project management approach based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide. The PMBOK provides the tools and techniques of project management which consists of five process groups and ten knowledge areas. ITIL, currently owned by AXELOS, is a framework for IT service management. It is a set of detailed practices for developing, delivering and managing IT services and includes twenty-six processes.

The pre-requisites for certification differ for PMP and ITIL. For example, the PMP certification requires project management experience in terms of number of hours. The ITIL certification has several levels - Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert and Master. There are no pre-requisites for the ITIL Foundation exam. However, candidates have to pass the Foundation exam in order to move on to the other levels. Subsequent certifications in ITIL may require professional experience as well. Project Managers planning to obtain either of these certifications should review the pre-requisites carefully and understand the requirements

Another aspect of the certification is credential renewal. The PMP credential is renewed every three years by obtaining sixty PDUs (Professional Development Units) during each cycle. There are several ways in which you can obtain the PDUs. If not renewed, the certification expires after three years and the exam has to be retaken to maintain the credential. ITIL has a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme which is tied to their digital badges. The digital badge is linked to the certification and can be obtained by joining the provider's membership program. To maintain the digital badge, members must obtain twenty CPDs during a twelve month period. However, the certification itself does not expire.

Certifications are an excellent way to boost your professional profile. Before embarking on your certification journey, do some thorough research to understand what is available and whether it fits your needs.

What are your experiences with project management certifications? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

References & Further Reading:

ITIL VS PMP - Must Know Which is Best?

ITIL Foundation or PMP for Project Management Certification

Which one is a better and widely accepted certification from an Indian market point of view: ITIL or PMP?

ITIL Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)®