If you are looking to advance your career in project management, then consider pursuing a certification. There are many different types of certifications available, each with their own focus and objectives. The following list contains some of the most common certification programs for project managers:
PMP Certification
PMP certification is the most recognized project management certification in the world, with more than 500,000 professionals holding this designation. PMP certification provides a globally recognized professional credential that demonstrates your ability to apply proven project management knowledge, skills and experience to any type of project; whether small or large.
PMP exam candidates must earn at least 50 PDUs (Professional Development Units) every three years in order to maintain their credential. The number of PDUs required depends on how recently you last earned your PMP credential:
50 PDUs if your last renewal was less than 2 years ago;
70 PDUs if it was between 2-3 years ago; and
90 PDUs if it was over 3 years ago
PRINCE2
PRINCE2 stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It is a structured approach to IT project management that combines the best practices of project management and the latest knowledge of project management.
PRINCE2 is an internationally recognized standard for IT projects, which has been adopted by many countries around the world such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. In Europe it is used in more than 50 countries including Germany, France and Spain.
CAPM Certification
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is a project management certification that is recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It’s one of three core certifications offered by PMI and it’s meant for entry-level project managers who have less than five years experience.
The other two core certifications are:
- PMP (Project Management Professional) – For those with more than five years of experience and who want to be considered “experts” in their field.
- PgMP (Program Management Professional) – For experienced program managers who want to move up in their careers, but don’t need as much training as someone taking on an executive role would need
PMI-ACP Certification
The Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is a professional accreditation for those who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in project management. It can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs, or it can be used as an additional credential on your resume.
The exam consists of multiple choice questions taken over two hours. To pass, you must score 70 percent or higher on each section of the test (Planning; Execution; Monitoring & Controlling).
To qualify for this exam, candidates must have:
- at least two years’ experience leading projects or programs under $10 million USD in budget/costs with some control over resource allocation across functional areas such as finance and HR
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that uses data collection and statistical analysis to make processes more efficient. It’s also known as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control).
The Black Belt certification is considered the highest level of Six Sigma training available; however, if you want to focus on process improvement without becoming an expert in statistics or engineering methods (such as root cause analysis), then a Green Belt certification may be right for you.
To become certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt:
- You must complete two 4-day classroom courses within 24 months of each other.* You must pass an exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions.* You must earn at least 75 percent on the final exam with no less than 15 points per question.* Your company must have been using Six Sigma techniques for at least six months prior to applying for certification
ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management
The ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management is a globally recognized certification program. It provides you with the knowledge and skills to help you develop an effective service management strategy, as well as understand how to implement it effectively. The program consists of three modules:
- Service Strategy & Implementation
- Service Design & Delivery
- Continual Improvement
CSM, Certified Scrum Master
The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is a professional certification program that helps project managers and other professionals learn the Scrum methodology. The CSM exam tests your knowledge of agile project management, Scrum, and other related topics. It’s an important step toward becoming a Certified Professional ScrumMaster (CPSM).
The CSM certification focuses on:
- Agile principles
- Project management fundamentals
- Techniques for effective facilitation
CCBA, Certified Business Analysis Practitioner
A business analysis (BA) is a person who works with teams to collect and analyze information about the goals, resources, and constraints of a project. The BA can then provide recommendations on how to proceed based on this information.
The BA typically works with stakeholders before any work begins on a project so that they understand what needs to be done, how long it will take, and what resources are available for completing it. BAs also help ensure that everyone involved in the process understands what’s expected from them.
A business analyst differs from a project manager in many ways–their roles are different; however, there are some similarities between the two positions as well: both BAs and PMs must be able to communicate effectively with team members; both need strong organizational skills; both need good listening skills; etc…
While there are many different certification programs that one can pursue, the ones above directly relate to project management.
While there are many different certification programs that one can pursue, the ones above directly relate to project management. Other examples of project management certifications include:
- PMP (Project Management Professional) by the Project Management Institute. This program is for those who want to become an internationally recognized leader in their field and achieve a higher level of professionalism as it relates to their work as a project manager.
- CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) from PMI-ACP, which is an entry-level professional credential offered by the Association for Project Management International (APMI). The CAPM exam tests knowledge related specifically towards managing projects within smaller organizations instead of large enterprises or corporations like some other certifications do; however, it does not require candidates have any prior experience working on projects before taking this exam so anyone can apply regardless if they’ve ever had any formal training before hand!
The list above is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start. If you’re looking for a career change or just want to learn more about project management as a discipline, then consider pursuing one of these certifications. They can help enhance your skillset and make yourself more marketable in today’s job market.
