BradEgeland.com #PMP #PPM #project #Agile #cybersecurity #planning #ai #SAFe #coronavirus #virtual #mindmap #remote #COVID19 #scaledagile #fintech #webdesign
  • Welcome
  • Contact
  • Mentoring Contact Form
  • Expertise
  • Blog
  • Find Local PM Jobs
  • Books / White Papers
  • Software / Service Reviews
  • This Week in PM
  • PM Video Series
  • Awards/Recognition
  • Templates & Downloads
  • Clients
  • Professional Services
  • Past Survey Results

PMP Certification - Yes or No?

12/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Project management certification. Is it helpful? Does it get you jobs? Does it increase your project management skills? Does it add value to you as a project manager? Does it add value to the organization you work for? Monetarily...is it worth it? Should hiring organizations require it? Should hiring managers demand it?


These are all great questions and the answer to most is probably...”it depends.” It depends on the person, the company, the project management office (PMO), the sector and/or industry you work in, the customer's needs and preferences, and sometimes even the amount of work that the hiring company wants to put in to hiring the best project managers around.


Let's consider a few factors...


The job posting. I've long upheld that – at least in my opinion – only the most lazy hiring organizations or human resources departments actually demand project management certification. Yes, some projects and market niches really require it. For example, some public sector positions may require it to meet certain quotas or standards. And some organizations doing business in those sectors may need to require it in order to secure contracts in that sector. That's very understandable. But if that is not the case, then I think the organizations that outright require it are using lazy hiring practices and likely missing some of the very best project management candidates available for every one of those “certification required” PM jobs. In my opinion, go with experience first, and then take certification as a nice add-on if it comes with the candidate. I've built great teams with that philosophy.


Is it value added? Yes. I believe, without a doubt, that any certification in a field you are dedicated to adds some value to you as a candidate. And, therefore, it would add value to the organization that hires you as a project manager because to is a certification to the profession. I'm not stating that it makes you a better project manager – I haven't gotten to that point yet – but it is still a certification in your chosen field so yes, in my opinion, it adds value. To you and to the organization.


Does it make you a better project manager? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say “no.” I realize that any knowledge – any positive knowledge, at least - usually makes you better. But in terms of a better project manager, more organized, more ready to lead your team and project and customer to project success? I'm going to say overall...no. I think an argument could go either way on this so I know I'm going to catch some flack for this stance.


Monetarily...is it worth it? I think to truly answer this question we would need to pose it to the newer project managers who have the minimum hours of experience and are gaining project management certifications. We need them to answer here...is it helping you find your first big project management gig? Is it helping you increase your salary and move up in the organization? My answer – in general here...and especially since it isn't that costly – would be yes. But keeping up with the training and the PDUs can be an issue. Still, I would answer this one personally with a yes.


Summary / call for input


I'd really like to hear feedback from project managers – new ones, old ones, certified ones, non-certified ones, employed ones, and those looking for new or next project management jobs. What's your take on this? Is project management certification – most notably PMP (project management professional) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) or any similar certifications – worth it today? And, the next question is, which is best? Which should you get first? Let's hear responses and discuss.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author:

    Picture

    Brad Egeland


    Named the "#1 Provider of Project Management Content in the World," Brad Egeland has over 25 years of professional IT experience as a developer, manager, project manager, consultant and author.  He has written more than 7,000 expert online articles, eBooks, white papers and video articles for clients worldwide.  If you want Brad to write for your site, contact him. Want your content on this blog and promoted? Contact him. Looking for advice/menoring? Contact him.

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    November 2009

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.