Project Management noteworthy news and commentary (September 24, 2010)
There has been a lot of debate recently in the blog-o-sphere about the value of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. If this is the first time you are hearing about this credential, it is definitely not for you (yet anyways)! However, if you have the appropriate work and school experience, taking the PMP certification exam can help you to reach the next step in your Project Management career.
To help you decide whether-or-not certification is right for you we have aggregated a few articles written by some of the thought leaders in the field of project management as they weigh in on the PMP credential. This is not a comprehensive list of articles on this subject, it is meant to be a launching pad as you begin to research the PMP credential. The most important thing to remember as you consider the PMP, is that for the certification to carry any weight it is critical that you have the appropriate work and educational background. For more information on the requirements to sit PMI’s PMP exam please visit: PMI’s website.
We hope you find these articles useful and they help you as you decide if PMP Certification is right for you!
And if you know of any articles you think would enhance our list, please let us know in our comments section!
“PMP: The Why And The How” – Back from Red
People, who know me, are aware I am less than enamored of certifications and titles. Therefore, when I got my PMP many were taken aback, some laughed aloud, and, since I seemed to get it overnight, all asked why and how I got it. However, it is not just my situation, this is a perennial question in online forums and groups and it is a common topic at local project management meetings. In many of those discussions, people try to analogize the PMP to a CPA or MBA; without question, the requirements to get a PMP have none of the independent educational rigor of college level degrees. The PMP’s worth is visceral and personal—it depends on each individual’s goals and their project management experience. Click here to continue reading“Certifications Don’t Make Project Managers” – PM Hut
The Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association of Project Management Group (APMG) are two of the biggest reasons that projects fail. They have sold the myth to the corporate world and to their certification customers that successful completion of their certification tests and the addition of Project Management Professional (PMP) after their name or adding PRINCE2 Certified on their Resume or Curriculum Vitae makes them a Project Manager. Companies believe the myth. They believe that when they hire a certified Project Manager, they are getting someone who is truly a successful Project Management Professional not just a newly graduated student. Click here to continue reading“A PMI Dog Pile” – The Critical Path by Derek Huether
Based on your motivations and character, the outcomes of getting your certification can be completely different. I got my certification because, at the time, I thought it was the only way I would be taken seriously. I was dealing with a stakeholder who was being completely unreasonable. She had a PMP and ignored everything outlined in the PMBOK. Clearly, she had her own agenda. Mine was a quest for knowledge in my profession and to hone my skills as a project manager. This quest has exposed me to several different approaches, to include Scrum and Kanban. I think I am a better project manager than I was several years ago because I am receptive to new ideas and approaches and don’t necessarily walk around preaching one as PM dogma. Click here to continue reading“Is the PMP Losing Value?” – Papercut Edge
I came across a couple pieces, one by Kareem Shaker and another by Derek Huether. They echoed some of my own sentiments about the real value of the PMI‘s PMP credential. I know first hand some PMP-holders who have no business running a project. They’ve passed the PMI’s test (which isn’t difficult for an experienced PM), and handed in application forms that were so light on detail they should have been flagged by the most perfunctory of glances. Click here to continue reading“Is Certification Losing Value?” – The @Task Blog
I was reading the PapercutPM’s blog last week and came across his article titled Is the PMP Losing its Value. Citing other articles written by Kareem Shaker and Derek Huether, Geoff suggest that there are some “certified” project managers who shouldn’t really be anywhere near a project. I have to agree, I’ve known a few project managers (certified and otherwise), who shouldn’t be managing projects myself. However, I don’t think I’m ready to say the PMI’s certification is irrelevant quite yet. Click here to continue reading“The path to PMP Certification” – The PM Student
Project management is a valuable skill, and one that is sought after in professionals in the information technology field. It is its own discipline, and it may be complimented with programming, sales, business or general management skills. Learning project management and acquiring certification can be an important first step to advancing one’s career in information technology and business. The PMP, or Project Management Professional certification, is offered by the Project Management Institute. The PMP certification is recognized in many countries around the world as a recommended project management certification. At the PMI.org website, one can find information about the certification process, handbooks describing each of the credentials available, online applications for the certifications, training, events, study aids and resources. Click here to continue reading“The Top 10 Reasons to be PMP® Certified” – TeachStreet
The following are the top ten reasons why professionals, practitioners, and the highly skilled project managers seek PMI®-certification: 1. Project Management is the means for achieving business results. Whether you are a senior executive or a project manager, it is your job to help your organization grow and increase its value to its stakeholders. Project management is the unique organizational competency that manages change and drives competitive advantage – with the outcome of delivering results in line with corporate strategy Click here to continue reading“Project Management: Is PMP Certification Worth It?” – Project Management Tips
Whether you’re employed right now, independently consulting, or unemployed, we’re all really looking for a job, right? No job is safe in this economy so if you’re employed you can’t afford to raise any flags for fear you could lose the job you have. But we’re all looking just in case. Or looking for our next gig. And even if you’re independent, you’d still probably take a W2 position – especially in this uncertain economy – if the right option presented itself to you, right? Click here to continue reading
If you spot project management news of interest, or you have an interesting blog post you want to share, let us know at: info@mindedge.com
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