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...
Regarding the advantages of the PMP certification - as you know, it's a competitive world out there. When interviewing for any position, it helps to have a competitive edge. All other things being equal, the PMP certification might provide the edge needed to win a job offer. Saving Changes...
I can tell you that the PMP certification IS valuable. I know many of my students who received a $15,000 bonus and a 15% raise when they passed the exam. By passing the exam, you can say that you have taken an international exam designed to prove your project management knowlede and passed it. There are only 21,000 PMP's in the world.
I am glad my book has been mentioned. I wrote it to help people learn and make the exam earier with complete review material and exercises to test your knowledge along the way. See www.rmcproject.com for the book PMP exam prep and my new PMP simulation software called PM FASTrack. Saving Changes...
Andy JordanPresident| Roffensian Consulting S.A.Cherry Grove, AB, Canada
I have no connection with Rita, but let me fully endorse the services she offers. Anyone who has read her book or heard her speak at the annual PMI symposiums or other events knows what a wonderful educator she is.
I have previously expressed my personal opinion of the PMP, which is not necessarily in 100% agreement with Rita's; but for anyone who wishes to pursue it, I know of no better channel. Saving Changes...
Does anyone know of other certifications besides PMI. I was wondering if Gartner Group has anything that may be more towards IT instead of construction Saving Changes...
Well, as a newly certified PMP, I have $0.02 to offer...
The PMP is a general certification. Designed to verify understanding of concepts and interrelationships of project management processes. It has a wide application and covers a large knowledge area. PMP certification says "I know a good deal about Project Management."
On the otherhand, a degree program, or focused study in one application area, say Software Engineering, can provide specific depth. This allows one to say "I know a great deal about managing Software Engineering Projects."
Combining the two provides both the backdrop and the props to complete the scene. Focusing on one without the other results in a partial vision. Therefore, I recommend both a focused study and PMP certification.
The PMP, so far as I know, is the most widely recognized and respected professional certification of Project Managment. Yes, there are other options but none that have the same recognition or acceptance. I agree that there is a need for other types of certification, but I do not think that they are in competition. In fact, they work better in combination.
I would like to know why the above discussion is comparing the PMP (Project Management Professional) designation to an academic certification programme of any kind.
You are all missing a few points, that I think require consideration:
1. the PMP is not an academic certification, it is a Professional certification, 2. the entry criteria for a PMP designation involves a certain amount of logged Professional experience (hours), which is fairly independent of academic status (credit is however given if you have a qualification), 3. the PMP examination serves to confirm a core set of knowledge of Project Management (theory and practice) which is NOT based solely on the PMBOK guide and is only written when a candidate has demonstrated his/her professional standing, 4. a PMP is bound by a set of Professional ethics (as a member of PMI), and is accountable to a Professional body for his/her actions (refer to http://www.pmi.org/membership/standards/), 5. a PMP is a member of a Professional body which carries the interests of the Profession and the industry at heart.
The bottom line is that the comparison of the PMP designation and an academic qualification (purely on the basis that there is an examination) is invalid.
I think that the idea of Professionalism and Professional acountability is FAR more valuable that an academic standing, and as an employer of Project Managers, this is what matters to me.
Regards
Stuart Penning, PMP Saving Changes...
Anonymous
As someone who has recently entered the field of PM, I have to say that going through the ESI Master's Certificate Program in Project Management and then taking it a step further by preparing for the PMP exam has been a valuable methodology. I think that the PMP process gives you a solid background in widely-accepted PM practices that you can apply in almost any situation. Right now, I'm building a new PM office, and they have absolutely no PM structures in place; at least with the PMBOK knowledge, I have some groundwork to stand on. I have to agree, however, that PMI is not the be-all and end-all of PM- for example, they are not currently supporting Critical Chain Scheduling, which I think should have a definite place in the PMBOK.
Good luck! Chris Saving Changes...
Anonymous
After my employer folded, I decided to change from a construction project manager to a telecom project manager. Telecom is one industry where PMP certification counts, unlike most of construction. In 8 weeks of job searching I received 5 good telecom PM job offers. With my lack of direct telecom experience I don't think I would have received any of these offers without my PMP.
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