The PMP from the PMI? Huh?
OK… let’s start again. The Project Management Professional (PMP®) designation from the Project Management Institute (PMI®) is a world-wide recognized professional designation available to project managers from all industries and type of projects.
To earn your PMP® you require 3-5 years of project management experience, 35 hours of related education and you need to pass a fairly rigorous exam (4 hours and 200 questions) and it costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
There – clear as a bell. Except is it worth it?
Right up front let me tell you that I think so – with a big ‘BUT’.
If you are embarking on a career as a project manager and you can see your name on a resume anytime in the future – you should do this. If you are new to the business of project management you may have to wait a few years – but you should be working towards this. ANYTHING to put your name ahead of others. Anything to tell your prospective employers in three letters that you have at least 3 years of PM experience, you’ve taken 35 hours of project related training and you can write a related exam and pass.
BUT, understand right now that that’s all the letters say. ALL, or most employers, clearly understand that these letter say nothing, NOTHING, about how you can manage projects. That comes from the rest of your resume and your references.
This designation will not guarantee you anything – but it will sure help.
On the other hand, if you have been a project manager for many years and a successful one with a good track record then I don’t think it’s worth it. Your experience should speak for itself.
Otherwise, if you are or want to be a professional project manager the PMP® designation is for you.
So, how do you get there?
You need to get the required experience. Three years if you have a post secondary degree and 5 years if you do not. This experience will have to be well documented in the application process so be prepared. Then you need to obtain 35 hours of classroom project management-related training.
You need to get the required experience. Three years if you have a post secondary degree and 5 years if you do not. This experience will have to be well documented in the application process so be prepared.
Then you need to obtain 35 hours of classroom project management-related training. Schulich provides three courses that can fit (or partly fit) this bill:
THE Project Management Course is a 3 day fundamental course ideal for the new project manager. Not enough to become a professional PM NOT will it adequately prepare you to pass the PMP® exam but it does provide 21 hours of the 35 hours required. An add-on 2 day module taking the 3 days and applying it all to Microsoft Project is also available – taking you to the required 35 hours!
The PMP® Exam Preparation Course - This is our well established Exam preparation course – 4 days – 28 hours – falls a little short of the 35 hours but it WILL help you to prepare for the exam. NOTE – this course is all about the exam – it assumes you know it all and are ready to shift your knowledge as a PM to exam mode. It DOES NOT teach you how to manage projects.
The Masters Certificate in Project Management – SEEC is famous for this one. 6000+ graduates, now over 1000 coming out of the program per year right across the country in every province. 18 days over 4 months typically over a Friday / Saturday. This one teaches you how to manage projects AND prepares you to write the exam. Over 50% of the graduates of this project write the exam and almost (98%) have passed over the 12 year history of the program.
Once you have the training you need to apply to the PMI® to seek permission to write the exam. This process takes a lot of time so be prepared. The application process is all online.
Complete details can be found at http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf
When you get the green light, you book your exam time and you’re off! Good luck.
So – the PMP from the PMI?? Ya, it’s worth it!
David Barrett, National Program Director
Project Management Centre of Excellence
Schulich Executive Education Centre,
