Do you think it will be a good idea if PMI introduces a new certifcation for Cost & Estimation ?

Rami, so we are in line though I did not meant the letters after your name in particular I was just saying that in general as I was always thinking about it but now you made it clear so cheers

guys, I have cracked the equation for letters after the name;

Sante Vergini A-Z

Sergio, thanks for the information. I am glad to hear that there is a new estimation parctice standard that will be issued soon.

What you mentioned makes sense but people look at things differently especially in different countries. Like I mentioned below, I assure you that such certification will be highly desirable in regions like the middle east and gulf region.

I think that getting lot of certifications jeopardizes the intention to make project management a profession. For example, certifications like program and portfolio and standards like program and portfolio has no sense. When you read them you notice they have no consistence (take into account I was part of reviewing both standards so I am not making this comment as a concern only). That was the case with OPM certification. In fact, in my personal opinion, we need to help organizations to clarify the type of needs you are talking about. Both has no sense and if some organization is requesting that is because has not idea about what cost management and estimation management is.

I think it's a very good idea, and I'm sure there will be lots of demand for the certifications holders.

Gentlemen and Rami-
This is a very amusing discourse! As an estimating professional, I know that many aspects of estimating cannot be taught. The proprietary information acquired by a Professional Estimator in a Specific Field in a specific Location of the world is usually hoarded jealously by the Estimator. Ask any professional Estimator that has attended an organizational Cocktail Party---absolutely no Insights change hands during discussions! Very Boring!
Where a special certification would be more effective is in the Primavera Scheduling field. My schedulers lack of understanding of work packages, durations, and Close Out processes is uniformly disturbing to me as a PM.

From the Trenches-
M

Good to read to other that had made estimations in professional way. What you stated is key to understand why a certification, a generalistic certification, has not much sense. No matter that, the PMI is working into a new version of the Practice Guide for Estimations (the first version is realy useless). I do not know how the final result or the approach taken at this time is. I was asked by the PMI to perform as SME Reviewer. But as you know, you can make comments but those comments are decided to be included or not by a committee. What I will encourage people is participating into the draft public review. I will post the date but I think it will be in the second quarter of this year.

Gentlemen and Rami-
This is a very amusing discourse! As an estimating professional, I know that many aspects of estimating cannot be taught. The proprietary information acquired by a Professional Estimator in a Specific Field in a specific Location of the world is usually hoarded jealously by the Estimator. Ask any professional Estimator that has attended an organizational Cocktail Party---absolutely no Insights change hands during discussions! Very Boring!
Where a special certification would be more effective is in the Primavera Scheduling field. My schedulers lack of understanding of work packages, durations, and Close Out processes is uniformly disturbing to me as a PM.

From the Trenches-
M