PMI Certification

Business has changed greatly in the last 20-30 years. The introduction of global competition has forced businesses to find new ways to gain a competitive advantage, whether it be new or improved products (as product life cycles have shortened), cost reductions (perhaps through a new MIS), or just improving the customer experience. With Project Management, companies have the ability to focus on many things at once without losing focus on their core business model. By bringing together varied peoples into the PM team, innovation is increased. Under the old way of doing things, the quality of each plan would suffer. Projects have a start and finish and can be tracked and quantified from beginning to end. This ensures a higher quality end result within time and resource restrictions.

Over the past few years, project managers and Project management has shown tremendous growth. Project management has evolved over the past several years from an activity in an organization to a discipline in its own right. Many professional bodies exist today to represent project management as a discipline, Some of which include, PMI, Prince2 Foundation, PM Bok.

Project Management Body of Knowledge is an American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard first published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a white paper in 1983. It is a guide that describes best practices used to manage a project efficiently and acts as a foundation for a sound project management methodology, yet it cannot be a method without adaptation.

However, obtaining the knowledge required to successfully orchestrate and manage projects is a challenge within itself. Individuals with the drive and desire to become project managers have a number of options regarding the means of properly equipping oneself for real world project management situations. In addition to seeking an academic degree in project management, and before becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute (PMI), learners are encouraged to participate in Project Integration Management Simulations through the PMI Registered Education Provider (REP) and world-class education simulation company, Double Masters (Double Masters, 2016).

Executive Summary Project management is the science of planning, organizing, executing, and managing the resources needed to achieve a specific goal. Effective project managers (PM) strategically facilitate the entire project management process to ensure the project’s success. To do this the PM must adequately meet the specific requirements (i.e., time, scope, quality, and cost) set forth by the project and its stakeholders. It is theorized that PM must possess a set of core competencies in order to successfully manage a project. Those competencies are development of project management knowledge areas, application of appropriate project management tools and techniques, understanding of the project

The term ‘project management’ is formed of two words and for the moment, will be broken down as such. The word ‘project’ is defined by Google as ‘an individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim’. ‘Management’, which is the second part of the term, is defined by Google as ‘the process of dealing with or controlling things or people’. So if these were combined, project management would be defined as ‘carefully planning an individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim while dealing with people and other circumstances’. While this definition is relatively accurate, it lacks detail and essential components which define project management as what it actually is. Therefore, the PMI (Project Management Institute) defines project management differently to this. The Project Management Institute definition is ‘is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently’. This is highly accurate because it contains information of what a project manager’s role is rather than explaining what project management is in general which is, technically, not a

I became a PMI member in 2008 and one year after got my PMP certification. I started not being conscious of the enormous value of PMI, but sometime after, I realized that PMI changed my life, my profession and my definition of project management. Soon, I became a member of PMI Bogota and started participating in initiatives to promote project management in my region. Although I have not lived in Bogota and the chapter was more oriented to centralized activities in that city, I continued supporting the Bogota chapter and participated as volunteer for some activities.

The majority of project management positions require a bachelor’s degree in a business management related field, as well as a professional certification and management experience. Many project manager professionals elect to obtain a master’s degree or advanced postgraduate certification in project management, analytics, or business management. The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is the most recognized certificate for project managers. According to the Project Management Institute, “As a PMP, you can work in virtually any industry, with any methodology and in any location, and earn on average 20% more than without a PMP.” (pmi.org) Education is highly valued in project management; however, important skills such as, good communication and the ability to execute are developed with experience.

PMI Southern Alberta is an incredibly active Project Management Institute network that currently holds the title of being the 3rd largest in Canada with a base of over 2,400 active members. The focus of this organization is to encourage the project management principles within its jurisdiction to communities, local business, and specialists (PMI Southern Chapter, 2017). Members can expect to receive numerous tangible and intangible benefits by joining. These benefits are listed under an umbrella that contains areas such as professionalism, mastery, and involvement. For professionalism, members can expect monthly dinner meetings at a discounted price, involvement in the company ambassador program, and a Toastmaster club. Also in mastery,

More employers are looking at project management certification as important, and it is becoming more necessary for a project manager. Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credential is the preferred certification that most employers are regarding as “highly desirable” for a new project manager. One reason employers are increasing weight on project management credentials is demand. More and more clients are requesting a project manager be certified in order to take on their project. “The marketplace in the U.S. is demanding the PMP or other project management certification," he says. "Going back five or six years, IBM has seen requests for proposals where the clients are demanding certified project managers

This is achieved by setting expectations for those that practice project management globally, which will set the tone when individuals in the business execute them as prescribed. By understanding the expectations of the CEPC and putting them into practice, the field of project management will become an example of consummate professionalism. Other professions may seek to utilize some or all of the elements of the PMI, CEPC (PMI, 2006).

Project Management Professional(PMP) certification is administered by Project Management Institute(PMI), a Global authority in Project and Program Management. The PMI has put together some prerequisite qualifications and requirements to apply for the PMP certification examination. This article goes through them and provides a step by step guidance to get your PMP certification.

Bryan Bowers, a recent certified project manager explains the complexities of the PMP exam and how it can benefit you in advancing your career. In his interview, He explained the exam as being the “most brutal exam that he has every taken in his life” however, the outcome was he passed the exam and he is now a certified Project Manager . He decided to become certified because he believed it would enhance his skills so that he could direct projects more effectively. In addition, he explains that the requirements include competency in leading and directing project teams, the advantages of obtaining a certificationwhich will not only help individuals stand out to employers, but it can increase earning potential. The PMP certification is globally

PMI certifications consist of eight certifications, each of which call for a tremendous amount of requirements such as: thousands of hours of project management experience and a four year degree. PMI certifications ensure a fundamental understanding of project management. By getting PMI certified, one can work almost anywhere they choose with any type of project management methodology. PMI certifications are not based on just one project management methodology. They are adaptable and can easily transfer to other industries or locations. PMI certifications have many advantages such as: flexibility and adaptivity worldwide. PMI certifications ensure a knowledge and the process of project management. Having a PMI certification can

CompTIA Project+ is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is a requirement for many companies hiring project managers. The certification gives an employee credit amongst stakeholders and customers. It also helps in promotions or maybe getting a better paycheck than someone who does not have the certification. Standing out and shining in a career is important and CompTIA will do that for you in this field. All this goes for PMP certification too. In fact, Project + is a great stepping stone to a PMP certification and so on and so forth for CAPM.