Messages on 'Re: Importance of PMP Certification to a Potential Employer'

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Original Post:  Importance of PMP Certification to a Potential Employer Anonymous Posted Sep 22, 2000 3:26 PM I had a potential employer ask me what the value is in being a PMP. I tried to explain, but felt that they failed to see its benefit amongst MBA's and PhD's. Can anyone provide me with a way to show this potential employer the benefit of having your PMP.

Replies Sort:   Newest First    Chronological     Post a Reply Page: 1 2 3 4 next>   Brian Israelson Port Charlotte, FL, USA 2 posts Posted Jun 24, 2008 8:03 PM I'm involved in the construction of roads and bridges. I currently have industry specific certifications, soils, concrete, asphalt, Quality control manager etc. I've taken and passed a practice PMP exam. I'm interested in getting the PMI certification. My concern is I don't have a college degree. I don't wish to spend the time or money to get certified only to be told by prospective employers they require a college degree. Are there any employers in my industry that would even consider me as a potential Project Manager with the PMI certification but no college degree?   Jerry Bucknoff Project Manager / Banking / Information Technology / PMO, PM Best Practices Fort Lee, NJ, USA 19 posts Posted Sep 4, 2006 3:08 AM The recognition of the PMP credential has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 2 years. The PMP certification has achieved world-wide recognition in the past 2 or 3 years. More and more employers are seeking candidates with at least proven knowledge of PMI methodology and, usually, having (or in the process of obtaining) the PMP credential, itself. The clients of freelance consultants, particularly in the IT, Pharmaceutical, Government and Construction sectors are particularly looking for PMPs, often filtering out those who do not have the credential. My own management consulting firm is making a major effort to get our associates (at the manager level and up) certified. We have a global practice, with thousands of consultants around the globe. The push for certification is throughout the firm, at all offices around the globe. A large number of organizations use Microsoft Project (2003 or 2007) to schedule projects and manage resources. Microsoft's EPM (enterprise project management) solution, which is the PM solution based on MS Project and MS Project Server, is aligned with PMBOK 2004. My own firm does client engagements involving bringing new client users of Project Server / EPM up to speed on PMI methodology, including EVM (earned value management), risk management and project planning. Project management is more than just creating Gantt charts and changing them every time the project schedule slips or the cost run over. Project management has become a profession. It's no longer a case of someone who is good at his job suddenly promoted to a "project manager" title and becomes the "boss" of his former peers, with little or no knowledge about management, let alone project management. Project management has protocols, methodologies and professional practices based on experience, consensus and scholarly research (submitted to strict, empirical scrutiny). There's a big difference to being a general manager and being a project manager. Project management is a whole different specialty and PMP is the professional credential for the profession.   Jerry Bucknoff Project Manager / Banking / Information Technology / PMO, PM Best Practices Fort Lee, NJ, USA 19 posts Posted Sep 4, 2006 3:07 AM The recognition of the PMP credential has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 2 years. The PMP certification has achieved world-wide recognition in the past 2 or 3 years. More and more employers are seeking candidates with at least proven knowledge of PMI methodology and, usually, having (or in the process of obtaining) the PMP credential, itself. The clients of freelance consultants, particularly in the IT, Pharmaceutical, Government and Construction sectors are particularly looking for PMPs, often filtering out those who do not have the credential. My own management consulting firm is making a major effort to get our associates (at the manager level and up) certified. We have a global practice, with thousands of consultants around the globe. The push for certification is throughout the firm, at all offices around the globe. A large number of organizations use Microsoft Project (2003 or 2007) to schedule projects and manage resources. Microsoft's EPM (enterprise project management), which is the PM solution based on MS Project and MS Project Server, is aligned with PMBOK 2004. My own firm does client engagements involving bringing new client users of Project Server / EPM up to speed on PMI methodology, including EVM (earned value management), risk management and project planning. Project management is more than just creating Gantt charts and changing them every time the project schedule slips or the cost run over. Project management has become a profession. It's no longer a case of someone who is good at his job suddenly promoted to a "project manager" title and becomes the "boss" of his former peers, with little or no knowledge about management, let alone project management. Project management has protocols, methodologies and professional practices based on experience, consensus and scholarly research (submitted to strict, empirical scrutiny). There's a big difference to being a general manager and being a project manager. Project management is a whole different specialty and PMP is the professional credential for the profession.   Anonymous Posted Jan 24, 2002 9:19 AM As a CPA and PMP, I'd like to offer the following: Not too long ago, CPA's were none existent. Back in the early days of the profession, accountants (both in-house and external) were used to manage the financial records of US businesses, but they didn't always apply consistent treatment of accounting events. As time went on, the accounting profession recognized the inconsistencies of accounting techniques used throughout Corporate America and worked to form a series of generally accepted accounting practices. Changing economic times (most notably, the 1929 crash) and increased criticism of the accounting profession added further impetus in the development of these uniform standards. This group of professionals (who are now referred to as the AICPA) sought to further promote the use of GAAP as a de facto standard and developed a certification program to enhance credibility and professionalism The early versions of the CPA examination were not as comprehensive or as difficult as the versions given out today. When I sat for the exam in 1985, there was still a way for a non-degreed individual to sit for exam (provided he/she could supply evidence of sufficient experience in accounting). What's to point my message? It seems to me that the project management profession is relatively young. Sure, projects have always been a part of business, but the project manager on these efforts probably had little guidance on how to increase the likelihood of success on their engagements. The PMI was born with the idea of solidifying a series of standards and processes that a professionals can reference during the execution of his/her duties. The PMI went further to promote the use and recognition of these standards by developing a certification program. When I make a hiring decision, certification tells me that a person has a working understanding the Project Management Body of Knowledge and that we would have a common language to use in discussing his/her projects. Since this is the baseline methodology of how our company manages its projects, I see this certification as a valuable asset in candidates. In my humble opinion, I foresee that PMI (along with the certification program) will get stronger and become more visible in the future. The examination itself will evolve and go though a series of changes to reflect the standards and requirements of the project management profession. You only need to look to the nation's top universities to see that they are beginning to recognize the growing need of project management in today's business environment and have subsequently developed undergraduate program for this discipline. To close, the project management profession is evolving at a rapid pace. It's becoming more and more recognized as a legitimate set of skills to be successful in business. So in selling of the value of having PMP certification, its important to recognize that not everyone understands the benefits of using disciplined project management process, but you can start by dialoging with your business partners on how you can execute against your client's expectations.   Tim Burrows South Yarra, VIC, Australia 2 posts Posted Jan 21, 2002 3:21 PM There is clearly some disagreement on the value of the PMP. Perhaps it needs to become competency-based to give it more value. I've had a good look at PMBOK and the PMP program. From my point of view, it's not worthwhile, as I'm in Australia and most employers wouldn't even know what PMP stands for (post-menopausal-?) I also don't think that you can't even start to compare a PMP with an MBA (for so many different reasons), but there is no doubt in my mind that PMBOK is an incredibly valuable source book, if for no other reason that for its conciseness. What the Australian Institute of Project Management has done (I am not a member of AIPM by the way) is adopted a national competency-based assessment of Project Management, awarding successful candidates with the designation "RegPM" (Registered Project Manager (der)). This contrasts with the PMP insofar as you are assessed over a number of weeks or months by an examiner who regularly interviews you and monitors your peformance as a project manager in real life. Hence, "competency-based". In my opinion, while this is clearly a much more labour-intensive process (compared to a computer marking a multiple choice exam), the rigor of the assessment makes it a much better process to "separate the wheat from the chaff" and therefore impart more value to the letters after your name. I heard that PMI is investigating competency-based assessment as well. Probably just a rumour, but if this is the case then I would recommend that everyone get their PMP as quickly as possible using the multi-choice exam because if they do go ahead with it then it will be suddenly much harder to get your PMP!   Randy Bennett Owner - CEO, EC Stratagems Collegeville, PA, USA 34 posts Posted Dec 26, 2001 8:25 AM First, in the interests of full disclosure, I am a PMP. I'm also active in PMI. While it's obvious I believe in the value of the PMP, I'm going to speak from my experience. I can't say much about the value of degrees over the PMP, since I have an MS in Management as well. The job I'm in (IT Project Office) required a PMP. It was required because they saw the PMP as certifying a set of knowledge and experience that they wanted. They recognized the focus on process in the PMBOK and were looking for people who shared that value. They also wanted assurance that the employee was dedicated to staying current, as the recertification requires of the PMP assure. I've also had interviews where the interviewer was open comtemptous of my PMP. It seemed they had two mistaken ideas. First, that a PMP represented a certain PM methodology. The PMP was seen as "worthless" because the company had its own PM methodology and didn't want any other. Second, that there was no connection between a PMP and the technical skills of the field. Just because I'm a PMP, don't expect me to build a highway or a skyscraper. PMI is explicit about project management being based on a depth of knowledge in the technical field. Last point: A number of years ago I opted to focus my career on project management rather than "climbing the ladder". PM fit my personality and interests better. A PMP certification makes my career choise and direction very clear to a potential employer.   Mike Kaplan New York, NY, USA 4 posts Posted Nov 3, 2001 5:13 AM What does PMI have to say about the Benefits of Certification? "Enrolling in PMI’s Project Management Professional Certification Program offers individuals a wide range of important benefits. The PMP designation following your name demonstrates to current and potential employers that you possess a solid foundation of experience and education in project management that can have a positive impact on bottom-line results. The PMP designation symbolizes knowledge and accomplishment and is highly regarded by colleagues and employers. As a certified PMP, you will proudly join a successful group of professionals who are enriching and advancing their careers and the project management profession."   Anonymous Posted Oct 29, 2001 8:15 AM Guess what?! A lot more PM jobs are REQUIRING PMP certification - won't even talk to you unless you have it. As a hiring manager, I'd also require it. You don't just get it from a weekend seminar - trust me - a lot of studying. And the studying process will definitely increase your knowledge (even though I have over 13 years in PM, there were a lot of pieces of info I learned). Whether you have a degree or not, it does require years of experience; more without the degree. It's also becoming the standard measure like other certifications - a way to weed out people. Whether you like it or not, it's becoming required more and more. For those who think you can very easily get the exam - try just taking the exam without any studying - good luck!   Mike Cooper PMP Westford, MA, USA 51 posts Posted Sep 26, 2001 5:01 PM Perhaps implied by some posts, but not explicitly stated, is that the PMP exam does not test for leadership or interpersonal communication skills. These are absolutely critical to being a successful project manager. Being PMP certified will indicate a certain level of understanding of the subject, and this is good, but it is by no means enough. Now does anyone know how to "certify" someone in leadership and communications skills?!?   Robert Adams bloomington, MN, USA 32 posts Posted Aug 29, 2001 1:55 PM As others have said. The designation or lack there of does not guarantee success or failure. The PMP will most likely show you can speak to an international standard of carrying out project management. It's nice to start on the same page! But a good pm has general management skills, industry knowledge and good project management skills. That's why you see some PMP's succeed and PMP's fail. It's the same as graduating from college. You have a degree so what. Can you turn theory into practice? I have seen PhD’s out performed in the real world. Any degree university, advanced and PMP, CPA is only worth the paper it is written on if you can not apply what you have learned. What degrees and certifications show are you probably have an ability to learn and probably have retained some knowledge of the subject. It is a baseline to start measuring people you don't know. I always wait to see how you perform to make a final assessment. When hiring I would ask basically the same questions of a PMP candidate and a non PMP candidate. So regardless, they need to know something. I have 15 years in IT, 5 in project management and have been very successful in delivering projects. Even on time and ahead of budget, not bad for an IT project ;) So even though I have been successful in delivery, I am always looking for ways to improve. I just got my PMP this summer. I did actually learn a couple of things and not just terminology. Rob Adams, PMP Project Management Skills Group Leader   Page: 1 2 3 4 next>