Now you're a PMP! The following? Congratulations! They have obtained PMP certification and reached a career milestone. While it is an achievement worth celebrating, after a brief time, the question is "what next?"
What's next?
Yes, high achievers especially experienced this momentum "what next?". I recently listened to a podcast in which the author talked about challenges and experiences of the astronauts who had walked on the moon. After years of preparation and intense focus and discipline, they reached their objectives - only to return in some cases, to a sense of loss of direction and purpose. Some had deep problems due to "loss" of having achieved its objective - and not have a new target that you want to replace.
Take advantage of their time: PMP PDU and other certification
Therefore, it's great to take advantage of your PMP certification, applying the principles, to show that you know your stuff, perhaps advance or transverse movement to another interesting and lucrative career position. But perhaps is more than can be done to maintain the pace and even accelerate the momentum of his career. Evaluate their goals, other certification could be your ticket to new progress and could also keep it fresh and excited.
Five realistic possibilities to examine
Here are a five ideas related to objectives of career and professional certifications - and you can "kill two birds with one stone ' for winning a new certification and PMP PDU at the same time!"
1. Perhaps is to operate or move towards a more international place. In Europe, as well as other parts of the world, PRINCE2 certification is very popular and respected. They have the advantage of a great project management fund already behind you and you may find that the first step - obtaining certified PRINCE2 Foundation - is fairly easy compared to the PMP. It could win you with a relevant additional credential in their current work and provide further perspective and skills for the current or next job.
2. A large number of PMPs works in the field of information technology (it). Some may already have one or more technical certifications with these vendors such as Oracle, Cisco certification certification, certification of IBM and others. Given that they have already made the move to the administration by winning a PMP, the certification of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) you may be interested. ITIL certification can provide deep expertise and credentials in the area of it that is valued by many organizations around the world. It is possible that allows you to get in charge of projects that otherwise could have been out of reach.
3 It is possible that the pure project management profession suits you well, and would like to simply take a route of access to more and better things. PMI has established a route for - professional (PgMP) program management certification. Certification programme management is a very logical extension to the PMP certification, using a similar approach to the PMBOK framework and directly above the base of PMP knowledge.
4. In the current economic environment, one of the types of projects will be financed Favorites is the reduction of costs or variety producing efficiency. In such cases, many organizations want to rely on proven methodologies and processes, one of which includes Lean and Six Sigma. Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt in Six Sigma are in high demand for any of these projects and project management skills are also a payment of the premium. The combination of Six Sigma certification and certification of project management can be powerful!
5. One of the most important areas of a project is the management of requirements. In fact, may expand the scope of requirements management to that of "analysis of the business." Many may find a great attraction for analytical skills in business analysis, and the combination of a certificate of analysis of business with PMP certification can be powerful, especially in the environment where the part of analysis of typical projects is particularly crucial. It is often the case, for example, in the area of application development projects.
End to reflect reflections on
So, when asked what is the next thing, consider additional certifications. You might find that it is easier than you think to add another credential of the PMP and anything can be, and that is particularly attractive when you can win the PDU for work at the same time!
While it is very important to celebrate, not persist in its success too long. Remember, not what is, or where you have been, it is important; importantly, where you are going. Keep that feeling going by moving forward and fresh and set some new goals now and consider the possibility of addressing other certification career enhancement.
John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is a project manager experienced and certified project management professional. John's website, http://www.pmtrainingonline.com/ provides online project management training to leave managers and PDU and PMP exam preparation. John also writes regularly on his blog, PMcrunch.com (http://pmcrunch.com).
