I was reading lots of articles on Project management cources and certfication. I am having 5 yrs of PM experience in IT and I had cleared PMP examination last year. I have no issues related to my PM skills but still not satisfied with my PM qualification. Can you suggest some degree/certification, which can give me extra recognition or edge in field of project management.
I was thinking about SCPM but it is very costly (approx.$6000+). Being a Indian, it is a big amount for me.
Do you know some similar course/degree which can meet my objective. Saving Changes...
Courses are great. But experience is better. If you don?t have the money for courses then teach your self by reading articles, participate in discussions like here on Gantthead and start writing small articles.
If there are no discussions ongoing you would like to participate in, then start one that on a topic you find interesting. That is worth more than many theoretical courses and much cheaper. Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
I agree completely with Soren. You may not need multiple certifications - in my opinion. As PMP is the most widely accepted one, you may not have to spend a huge sum on bagging another one. Saving Changes...
Soren Porskrog nailed it! If you have a degree and PMP cert, then your goal is to seek out high quality projects that solve complex problems in business. In other words, develop a portfolio of experience. Another degree or cert won't make a difference, but quality experience will. Saving Changes...
While I of course agree that more experience will help you be a better project manager (seeing what really works in the real world, not just theory), I believe the original poster was asking about additional degrees or certifications that could give him extra recognition. To that end, I believe there are several things you can do besides earning a Masters in Project Management. Volunteer within your local PMI chapter. You could also volunteer to be a core committee member on any of the PMI practice standards. Both of things are relatively free (they do however require specific time involvement). Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
I didn't think about that before. Thanks. Saving Changes...
One of the very good executive of a top notch IT company said that he would prefer to hire a manager who has got his PMP 5 years back and managed projects for past five years, not a PMP who has got his certfication last year though he may be certified on the latest PMBOK . Simply because, the one who got certification 5 years ago, has been putting all his PM knowldge in projects for past years. One can tune the finer points by applying the techniques learned, noty by reading. So as a PMP, it is the obvious next step to apply the knowledge, techniques and become a skilled practitioner. Once a skilled practioner, the responsibility will be to contribute to the project management fraternity and the body of knowldge. Knowledge is like wind, it cannot be trapped, but can be acquired and then pass it on. Saving Changes...
Selva Saravana PuvananthiranDelivery Lead Senior Manager| Accenture Solutions Private LimitedChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
In every field, there is something called "Niche", i.e.Specialty. For example, there is a medical specialty called "Hepatology" under Gastroenterology. Like that, you can pick up a specific process group and become an expert. You may be good in making conversation with others; So you may choose to get better in improving your negotiating skills. Or you may be good in document writing; In that case, you may help gather requirements for a project. etc., You just need to find out which one would work best for you.
Hope this makes sense. Saving Changes...
A lot of good suggestions here, but what do you want from the extra attention? What's your goal? More money? Better projects? Prestige in the project management community? Your answer to this will help determine the best route. If you want more money you have to market yourself anyway you can. Apply for jobs at bigger companies. Succeed. Then justifiably ask for raises. If you're looking for prestige in the PM community then write articles or books and spread your knowledge via consulting. The options seem limitless. Saving Changes...
Mohit JainAssociate Director| Ramco SystemsFaridabad, Haryana, India
PMP certification is like the general management. It is the experience matter which you are having like the Industry, domain etc. Also the experience in the same field as a project manager will be helpful. PMP is for distinction and in India, i have not seen employers require project managers as there is huge HALO effect that a good technical person will be good project manager. Being a non-technical person, i am seeing lot of difficulties even though i have improved the processes to control scope, schedule and cost with the betterment of stakeholder management and communication management. Hope we as the PM community will bring the awareness. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Perception: cost or investment. Certifications do contribute in increasing your visibility in the community you work in.
Since you have earned your PMP certification, it is advisable to start applying what you learnt. More often than not, you will not be able to. So please catch yourself not being able to apply the principles learnt and start noting them down. You may want to do a root cause on why you are not able to apply the learnt fundamentals to your real life work - and who knows that becomes the basis of you writing out an article on the same!!
For more certifications, PMI-ACP and PMI-PBA will be a good choice - helping directly in your current (and extrapolated) work. Saving Changes...
