Project management certifications demonstrate that you have the academic knowledge needed to manage projects. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you are a good project manager. Good project management can only come from experience. Let’s examine the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) perspective on the value of their primary certifications[1]:
Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- The PMP adds value. CIO magazine ranked the PMP as the top project management certification in North America because it demonstrates you have the specific skills employers seek, dedication to excellence and the capacity to perform at the highest levels.
- The PMP delivers benefits. The median salary for project professionals in North America is 25% higher than those without it.
- The PMP proves you work smarter. It shows you have the skills to drive business results and increase your organization’s impact in the office and around the world.
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
PMI-ACP certification was created by agilists for agilists. Organizations that are highly agile and responsive to market dynamics complete more of their projects successfully than their slower-moving counterparts—75 percent versus 56 percent—as shown in PMI’s 2015 Pulse of the Profession® report.
Disciplined Agile® Scrum Master (DASM)
The DASM certification equips you to successfully lead agile teams, thereby future proofing your career in a world in which agile is fast becoming the way forward. The Disciplined Agile® tool kit includes hundreds of proven practices, including Scrum, Kanban, SAFe®, and even some predictive approaches, and puts them into context.
Sometimes we forget that project managers are in the “people business”! All of these certifications teach the soft skills needed to manage and lead effectively. Whether motivating and leading team members, influencing stakeholders or delivering status, we must be able to effectively communicate and set expectations in a professional and cohesive manner.
80% of the managers I help prepare for these exams are learning these practices for the first time. Most of them are highly successful. This simply means we all have something to learn and if you’re going to be in our profession then take the time to really learn the practices. Not only will you pass the test and enhance your resume, but you’ll be a better more informed project leader.
[1] Taken from PMI.org