Tuesday, August 14, 2007

What is opinion on value of Project Management Institute's PMP Certification?

Asked by Joe Herlihy

Joe,
Any certification is a "good to have" and certainly "adds value to one's learning's and knowledge" as many have already said. But the expertise in the area comes only when one starts applying the concepts learned. Many a time, reality will teach us better ways of approach which are not stated directly in these. Having said that I would like to add one thing about some of the certifications like PMP:
  1. For some people, it gives a boost to their careers since their peers may be certified.
  2. For some the expectation of the organization where they work or the customers may demand the same whatever the scenario maybe, some of these certifications have a concept of CPE (Continual Practice Education) which actually ensures that the person just does not qualify in exams alone but need to ensure that they do sufficient work in the area and provide proof to maintain these.
In a way, it makes us really work into the concepts and practice them well. So the choice is ours based on the needs. This is my perception and I hope it helps...
Regards,
Sujatha

2 comments:

Unknown said...

PMI has vastly over marketed the PMP credential.

At best, it (along with other knowledge based credentials such as PRINCE2)stand as evidence that a person has a minimum level of knowledge associated with project management. It says nothing about their skills, attitudes or even whether they put the skills and knowledge they learned to work in executing their day to day work responsibilities.

So while the PMP has name recognition, especially in the IT and telecommunications sectors, from a practical standpoint, it has no real value- people who hold their PMP are NOT good project managers, while there are many people who are capable project managers who do not hold their PMP.

My recommendation for those who are serious about project management as a career path, to look into the COMPETENCY based credentials offered through the International Project Management Association, (IPMA); The American Society for the Advancement of Project Management, (asapm) or the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International, (AACE)

Hope this helps?

Paul Giammalvo, CDT, PMP, CCE, MScPM, PhD Candidate

Senior Technical Advisor, PT Mitratata Citragraha, www.getpmcertified.com

Unknown said...

Whoops!! Errata!!

people who hold their PMP are NOT AUTOMATICALLY good project managers, while there are many people who are capable project managers who do not hold their PMP.

The PMP is no guarantee of anything other than a person took a 200 question test, of which only 175 questions count, and got 106 or ~62% correct.

PDG, Jakarta