As I speak to the public on the importance of skills and emotional intelligence in project management, inevitably they ask me my opinion on the value of the PMI (Project Management Institute) certification, such as the PMP (Project Management Professional). This theme is very polarized in our professional community. The camps are often divided into: 1) who sought the PMP on their own and seemed to be an excellent opportunity training; (2) Who were required by their employer or felt pressured by the labour market to obtain it; (and 3) who are resistant to her active or did they simply never necessary to obtain one.
First off, let me make it clear that they don't have a certification from PMI. Heresy, you say? Well, the reality is that the PMP certification gained prominence at a time when it was already firmly established in my career. My employers, knowing that my skills and experience, never pressed for me to get it.
Therefore there is a value in having the PMI certification? My strong response is... depends on. Let's take a look at the requirements and costs, and then I'll tell you what I think.
What is the PMP?
PMP certification is the most popular among five different certifications now offered by PMI (Project Management Institute) which are:
PgMP: Program management professional
PMP: Project Management Professional
CAPM: Associate Project Manager certification
PMI-SP: PMI Professional programming
PMI-RMP: PMI risk management professional
According to the website of PMI, to request the PMP, need to have already is:
A degree of four years (Bachelor's degree or global equivalent) and at least three years of experience in project management, with 4,500 hours driving and directing projects and 35 hours of project management, OR, education
A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent) with at least five years of experience in project management, with 7,500 hours driving and directing projects and 35 hours of project management training.
The costs
The PMP is a review of expensive, costs $405 for PMI members $555 for non-members. Many people feel intimidated by what you have heard of the test of 200 questions and thus take preparation courses examinations which average between $1,500 and $2,000.
To maintain the PMP certification, one must accumulate 60 "PDU" (professional development units) every three years. There are some ways to earn these PDU, taking classes, attending conferences PMI, or study self-directed. Generally, a lesson of instruction or participation = 1 PDU. There are many commercial vendors that offer training, podcasts, seminars, etc., which can cost from $25 to $100 per PDU. I estimate that the 60 PDU for three years costs about $3,000.
Therefore, we are going to add:
PMP exam preparation: $2,000
PMP Exam cost: $500
Keep the PDU in a career spanning 40 years: $40,000
Total cost of PMP certified race: $42,500.
PMP can list in their curriculum: price?
I will go well and say so. In my 25 year career, I have not found an absolute correlation between someone having a PMP certification and its ability to manage a successful project. There, I said, to begin to leave the storm. I credit the PMI with good intentions to establish projects as a viable and bright discipline that has made most aware of the certification of marketing recruitment managers. Unfortunately, I believe that many recruiters and employers put faith misguided in the sense of a certification and go so far as to miss the opportunity of coordinators of very large projects because they require certification as a basis for employment.
As for me, a PMP certification demonstrates that you are "smart book". It is like someone who have just graduated from medical school. Without a doubt, may have worked on corpses and perhaps even participated in any patient care, but I am not interested to treat me until that have come to the experience of the real world. And Yes, the PMP require some real-world experience, but it is only three years - only just a starting point in a career.
I also have a bias against the strong emphasis on tools and methodology on the emotional intelligence necessary to navigate the treacherous waters of politics, parent organizations, and human behavior. I am pleased that the latest version of PMBOK (the "Bible" of knowledge, the PMI project management body) has added a section on "soft skills" to their 42 areas of process. It is only about 5 pages of ~ 450, but is a start and a recognition that these skills are also important.
My verdict:
In summary, here is how to see her. Obtaining a PMP certification will not hurt, and may expose you to some useful tools and ways to organize projects. However, no, to a great project manager - it will have to win through the blood, sweat and tears and hopefully to some laughs.
What does damage to all of us as a profession is the misconception that a PMP certification is a guarantee of competence, and that is where I am opposite passionately. Try driving balance and visibility to actual competences that make or break a project manager, is the emotional intelligence to know what tool to use at the appropriate time, including a deep respect and appreciation for human behavior and group dynamics. As repeat in my book and speeches: human behavior is not a work breakdown structure and methodology alone will not get there.
I have opened to criticism... I welcome feedback, comments and discussion.
Pam Stanton invites you to know the reason of why the majority of projects fail and what can be done.
Emotional intelligence and dynamic management of group are fast becoming the skills that distinguish the great project managers. The field of project management is changing, they are not left behind.
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Pam Stanton, the Whisperer project
