Bacchus JohnsonSenior Project Manager| Matrix ResourcesCharlotte, Nc, United States
Is there real value (or only perceived value in our world) for PM Certification? Who offers classes/training/testing that is of highest value? I am only aware of the Project Management Institute's program. Will having the PMP, etc. on my business card truly open doors? Thanks for any input. Saving Changes...
While I tend to agree with folks that the value of a BS or MS degree is far greater than the value of certification, I have to take exception to Kent's statement about PMI. PMI is a non-profit professional association, with several mission. One of which is to further the recognition of project management as a profession. Towards that end, PMI initiated the certification program quite a few years ago, long before many of the colleges started offering it as a degree program.
Further information on PMI, its missions and the PMP certification program can be found at www.pmi.org. I encourage all who want to develop their professional network to explore that website. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Okay, so I'm having troubles posting with my name attached! THe previous posting was from Karen White Saving Changes...
Bacchus - I have been a project manager for about 15 years, primarily in government services contracting. I had little formal project management training. Wanting to get into Information Technology, but not having a technical background, I decided to back to school. I graduated from The George Washington University with a Master of Science Degree in Project Management. That certainly opened doors for me. Three months after I graduated, I became a PMP. And that has opened doors tremendously.
My current position is a result of the combination of the GWU degree program and my PMP. I won't bore you with a testimonial, but this job is life changing in many positive ways.
As far as training for the PMP Exam goes...PMBOK, PMBOK, PMBOK. Also order the PMP Certification Exam Preparation Course from ESI-Intl. Take the practice exam several times. And pay particular attention the Appendices in the Study Guide. More than a few questions in the PMP Exam are addressed there.
A couple of points...one, I think that studying for the PMP exam has certainly broadened my PM skills by opening my eyes to the wealth of information published on the topic, and therefore, gave me a lot of good research tools.
Second, if you are looking for a class to take focused on the PMP Exam, find your local PMI chapter and they can direct you to certification courses.
I have taken a www.4PM class - granted it was a basic skills class, but my perception is that the responsibility for the success and learning in the class is most heavily on the student. So if you are self motivated and thorough - online classes can be a great place to learn. Saving Changes...
I am currently preparing to take the PMP exam in a month. I have been doing project management for about 6 years, and realized that that was what I was doing about 21/2 years ago! Prepping for the exam has not changed my manner of project management (largely self taught, by reading and experience), but it has given me some good ideas. I already have too many degrees to put on a resume, so the PMP certification will give me a way to highlight what I do. In the midwest, the PMP designation seems to open doors. As far as prep goes, I took the 4 day intro to PM from PMI, in order to learn some of the language and approaches they use. It was quite good, and the instructor was mindful that many of us were doing the seminar to prep for the exam. I have been using Rita Mulcahey's book (at www.rmcproject.com). It came highly recommended, and is very good. I am also using PMBOK, PMBOK Q&A, the ESI prep exam (mentioned in a previous post) and the ESI Challenge. Mulcahey's book is very good at getting you organized and focused. I will let you know after Sept. 7 if this is good advice! Saving Changes...
Andy JordanPresident| Roffensian Consulting S.A.Cherry Grove, AB, Canada
Hmmm,
Well I have to disgree with the general theme of this thread. I am a project manager with experience in Europe and North America, currently managing projects in Canada. I have been a member of the PMI for some time, can recite PMBOK in my sleep, but have never taken the certification.
This fact has never (to my knowledge) prevented me from getting a job or retarded my progression through an organization. It has in fact helped me. Project Management is a maturing industry, and the PMI / PMBOK / PMP is no longer the only option. More and more organizations are looking at industry specific processes and methodologies - SDD (Microsoft) and RUP (Rational) are two (very different) examples in the software field. There is a danger that a PMP is seen as too generic, or too North American (both true to some extent). My advice would be to learn the process that is most pertinent to your industry or company.
That said, as previously noted, some comapnies insist on it, and I would certainly recommend it for PMs or aspiring PMs who don't have that much experience.
However it isn't the holy grail that it once was. I will applaud the PMI on the efforts that they have put in to update PMBOK and ensure that PMPs remain current by requiring continuing education to keep the PMP certification. Saving Changes...
Although I don't have Andy's experience, I must agree with much of what he says. The fact is, if you're a very good PM you'll be recognized as such and doors will open, regardless of degrees or certification.
On the other hand, more and more of the world of work is becoming "standardized." Entrance into many companies and promotability within the company is tied to performance on exams instead of performance on the job.
Becoming certified certainly won't hurt your promotability. And it may give you some tools and knowledge you may not gain in the game of hard knocks. In many companies it will enhance your promotability.
So, that's a long way of saying certification isn't a bad thing for those wanting to gain knowledge and even acceptance in the world of PM. You need to base your decision on your circumstances, your intent, and the gain you hope to achieve. Saving Changes...
It all depends on where you work. I work for a consulting company that rewards PMP certification, so I will be taking the exam this year. My client organization, however, doesn't care. The senior PM I report to at the client organization decided not to renew his certification this year because he doesn't benefit from it. If you are in the job market, I recommend it highly - you will get more interviews with it than without it. Saving Changes...
