I had a potential employer ask me what the value is in being a PMP. I tried to explain, but felt that they failed to see its benefit amongst MBA's and PhD's. Can anyone provide me with a way to show this potential employer the benefit of having your PMP. Saving Changes...
By being PMP means that you are educated to mange the projects in a highly organized fashion rather than in an unstructured manner. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
PMP has a 90% pass rate, sounds like a real difficult certification to get. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
The certification success rate can be attributed to the requirements needed to write the exam. The pass rate reflects the caliber of the people writing it. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Over 50% of the PMPs DO NOT HAVE a COLLEGE DEGREE. You could be working at a local Taco Bell get certification. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I am not sure what your point is..
The PMP certification, whether you have a degree or not, still requires you to have so many years of project experence before you qualify to write the exam. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Years of experience? Try about 4000 hours! Saving Changes...
Anonymous
4000 hours! That's just over 2 years experience. Wow, sounds like PMI is selling quick and dirty certifications. I love PMI's HIGH STANDARDS for certification. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
What do you see as an acceptable certification criteria? If you look at other professional designations i.e. CPA, etc, they also take a similar certification approach. As a PMP who has a B.Sc and a MBA I feel very strongly that someone who has a PMP has a strong understanding of various project management tools and techniques. Additionally, they have demonstrated that they know how and when to use them.... My recommendation to you, before you past judgement is to take the time and write the PMP exam. You may be surprised!!!! Saving Changes...
Andy JordanPresident| Roffensian Consulting S.A.Cherry Grove, AB, Canada
I feel compelled to jump in with my .02, and given that I am in Canada it could take a while :-)
I have never been an advocate of the PMP because I simply don't see its relevance to a specific position. The PMI is intended to be the expert body (for want of a better term) for project management, and I agree with much of its mandate - I have been a member for some time. However, the general nature of the PMI makes it very difficult to have a certification program that is relevant to the industries that make up much of its membership. What I mean by this is that what works in construction won't always work in pharmaceutical research or software development. I much prefer to see people familiar with industry specific methodologies - SDD or RUP in software development for example.
That said, the PMP is a valuable tool for inexperienced project managers who are still looking to prove their worth, or those looking to enter the field (you don't need to be a project manager to be a PMP - the experience qualification requires hours in a project management environment, not as a project manager). The enhancements to the continued professional development aspect through the recertification program is a welcome development and helps ensure that the PMP remains fresh.
I guess what I am trying to say is, recognize the value of the PMP, but also recognize its limitations. The time a couple of years ago when you couldn't get an interview for most positions without a PMP were not beneficial. The PMP is, in my mind, a useful tool when entering the field or establishing a presence, but is not that beneficial for experienced project managers. Many employers, and I suspect some members of this forum, disagree with me. Saving Changes...
PMBOK is a rich source of knowledge and strudying the same will definitly improve our PM skills. The problem however is that we are so much examination oriented that its near to impossible to study it just like that. (i'm trying that thou). Thats where the certification helps.
I have a graduate degree in civil engineering and an MBA in finance. My MBA (thou not PM specific) is helping me significantly at work and I feel I'm doing quiet well. Certification fee (for us in India) is exhorbitant. almost 4 to 5 months salary for a Jr. Project Manager. By the time I have that kind of money, I'll also be having sufficient grey hair in PM and then the perspective of looking at the certification may be totally different. Till then I keep reading the PMBOK. Saving Changes...
"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
