Project Management

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Is it possible to jump from being a Digital Project Manager to a Construction Project Manager? Is PMP certification utilized or beneficial in construction project management?

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Kimberly Kimbrough NONE Ks, United States
Has any PMP or CAPM jumped from one vertical into construction? I am inquiring because I am interested in construction PM roles and I was told recently by a construction PM that the PMP certification isn't typically used in construction PM.
Can anyone provide any insight into the construction PM career?
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Thomas Walenta Global Project Economy Expert Hackenheim, Germany
Like the others, I say yes.

In my 33 years in the PM profession I was lucky to jump industry with every project, every 3-4 years.

The common ground is - like Kiron said - not only the PMBoK side, but also leadership (the human side) and the environment the project is embedded in (strategy, business, industry etc).

The most satisfaction I gained was to experience the wide range of customer cultures and to understand the common themes of being a human. This is transferring from industry to industry.

Also for a inexperienced CAPM it is valuable to observe the mechanics of making a project successful by working with humans.
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Amanda Gardner Construction Project Manager| Trane U.S., Inc. Irvine, Ky, United States
I have been a PM in construction for eight of my 12 years as a PM, and I always tell everyone the main difference between being a construction PM and another kind of PM, such as IT, is that we may have to LITERALLY put out a fire. ;)

In all seriousness, it is possible, but as much as I couldn't go straight into an IT role simply because I don't have enough knowledge, it is unlikely you could go straight into a construction role -- however -- you could probably find a position as an assistant PM where you could gain knowledge while building schedules, preparing plans, etc. The basics of being a PM are the same across all industries.
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1 reply by Susan Marangos
Nov 12, 2020 3:45 PM
Susan Marangos
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This is my thinking too - most PM roles in construction will want some kind of knowledge / experience of the industry. You might have to go a step down to get that but otherwise the general PM skills are transferrable.
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Susan Marangos
Nov 12, 2020 3:15 PM
Replying to Amanda Gardner
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I have been a PM in construction for eight of my 12 years as a PM, and I always tell everyone the main difference between being a construction PM and another kind of PM, such as IT, is that we may have to LITERALLY put out a fire. ;)

In all seriousness, it is possible, but as much as I couldn't go straight into an IT role simply because I don't have enough knowledge, it is unlikely you could go straight into a construction role -- however -- you could probably find a position as an assistant PM where you could gain knowledge while building schedules, preparing plans, etc. The basics of being a PM are the same across all industries.
This is my thinking too - most PM roles in construction will want some kind of knowledge / experience of the industry. You might have to go a step down to get that but otherwise the general PM skills are transferrable.
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José Eduardo Gómez Chinchilla Arquitecto| Independiente San Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
la experiencia es muy importante para cada PM, aunque el PMBOK es una guia, debe adecuarse a cada industria, y existen muchas diferencias entre la construccion y el IT.
aunque ultimamente la brecha de la tecnologia ha hecho muchos procesos automatizados la experiencia en el manejo de personal, y materiales es muy importante.
pero depende de las necesidades de cada empresa y cada proyecto, siempre queda a criterio de cada organizacion la contratacion de su personal.
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