Certification gives people a common construct and the ability to communicate effectively using the same terms. It also gives others confidence in the project managers skills, knowledge and abilities. Experience allows project managers to work effectively, roll with the changes and recognize problems and opportunities before they become an issue. They are both important and serve different functions, but experience can be taught in a course or book.
I disagree. You can tell about your experience in a book, but you cannot teach it. Experience has to be made. But you can learn from told experience, if you can get some meaning of that talk for you. This is not the same, as for the one that made that experience.
But you can teach Information for a certification, which becomes knowledge when the student incorporates that Information (and blends it with his / her own experience). So experience is needed to incorporate Information and transform it into knowledge.
This means experience first helps to speed up to get knowledge for certification. Without, incorporation takes more effort - and can lead to false or incomplete knowledge. Saving Changes...
I think it's easier to get experience and then get the certification. But in my own opinion, I'm going to take CAPM to show employers that I prefer this kind of roles rather than technical ones. Saving Changes...
I believe education and/with experience, then if you are happy with the field you are in get certified in order to advance. Saving Changes...
sreejith nairSr Project Manager| GSS InfotechHyderabad, Telengana, India
I think both fulfill a need that other cannot. Experience is something you can utilize once you get into project/organization, but is not a key to getting into one, as its intangible and cannot be positively ascertained before you getting the job, here certification is handy. however holding a certificate doesn't give you the gravitas and situational understanding that you need once you get into projects or an organization. Thats my 2 cents on this topic. A very interesting thought George :-). Saving Changes...
Abdulkhalek Al SaadiProject Manager| Philips Middle East & TurkeyDubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
You know, some people don't even read or write, but they have a very successful career or business. It is all about YOU; What do you want to be and How.
However, Knowledge is a must because it helps you to reach your target in a logical way.
Experience is the honey you add to your chees in order to make it more testy and feel happy when you eat it.
Knowledge, Certifications and Experience are essential to be successful in your life. Saving Changes...
Paul KetaProjects Director| Team Six ConsultantsJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
From time of the Patriarchs, experience has always been the best teacher on HOW to get certain things done. However we need the knowledge and certifications to reason more and appreciate WHY we do what we do and WHAT things have to be done to produce certain benefits.
To sum up, a combination of experience and certification is the most desired. Saving Changes...
Jayashree LakshmananProject Manager| Command AlkonBolingbrook, Il, United States
I am also an example of acquiring experience first, but in order to back-up your experience , certifications are needed. Having both the experience and certifications can project you as a experienced professional with the knowledge. Saving Changes...
Kevin FullerSenior Project Manager| Mindray Medical Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom
In my opinion, you have to have experience as a PM first. Whether you have experience using other methodologies or even just a basic training of project management, would set the stage for studying for the PMP. You need the experience to even apply for the PMP exam!
When I studied for the PMP, a lot of real world experiences were covered in the PMP, affirms my acquired understanding of PM making the PMP questions appear more real. Being able to apply the experience and learning in real projects rather than just following a script parrot fashion demonstrates the true knowledge.
PMP gives you the certification, and demonstrates to current and future employers that you have attained a competency level of understanding the way projects are structured and managed and can speak the common language. Saving Changes...
Vivek BhateIT/IS Consultant| V B Information Technology ServicesPune, Maharashtra, India
Experience first. i.e. Practice in reality and once you gain necessary knowledge attempt certification. That's the the correct way. Without experience, anyways, one would not be able to attend certification examination (ethically)! Saving Changes...
For me, the best path as following
1st - some related education
2nd - some related experience
3rd - certification
4th - more experience
5th - professional
