Curt from journyx emailed to ask an interesting question of my readers:
There are project managers who are academics and just like to have 'PMP' on their resume
Then there are the ones who always get it done - the executorsWhat are the characteristics that differentiate them? how would you know which one you're talking to?
If you're reading this blog, you probably know PMP stands for PMI's Project Management Professional credential. You can click on the link to get a feel for the criteria required to obtain the certification.
In the PM world, the question over the value of certifications in general has been growing in debate for years. I'm going to leave my thoughts out of it and let YOU the readers speak your mind, since I'm an eight year member of PMI but do not hold the PMP certification myself.
So come'on PMP's - you've heard this before - Leave a comment and get the discussion started! Why Are (aren't) YOU A PMP?
Are you a project manager and thinking about getting a PMP certification, or have thoughts like the ones above stopped you from getting certified so far (resume padding? academic use only?) I'd love to hear your thoughts too!
16 comments:
I DON'T have a PMP. I don't have one for a few reasons, but primarily because I've never taken the test. I've successfully managed projects ranging from small in-house development projects to enterprise-wide (500k+ systems) deployments over $95M.
To be honest, I think NOT having a PMP has limited my ability to get work in the private sector.
I DO have PMP certification. Why? I DO love to code, I DO love software development projects, and all my expertise and my formal studies background are about sw development, sw design, and biz modeling. However something happened to me. I started leading teams because it came easily to me. Why? Am I a good person? Do I have problem-solver attitude?
So one day I woke up as a Senior Project Manager, and my asked to my how is it doing? And I said, no idea, good - bad? What about money? What about schedule? What about risk management? NO CLUE! I was a kid in the jungle.
Then I started learning about project management, and the strongest framework I found was supported by PMI. Also I’m influenced by the US professional market. Maybe if I were in England if I have took the PRINCE2 methodology.
So, once I learned it, why not to get the certification? It will be good to have it, and it is not a big deal - isn't it? Holds the certification also forced my -in a good way- to keep me updated. And BTW, my company refunds the exam fee when I got it.
When your company handles several projects at the time it’s a good idea standardize the processes. And in order to not reinvent the wheel, why not to use an already created standard. PMI framework offers freedom of implementation – it is a framework, not a methodology.
These are the main two reasons I have to support why I got the PMP certification.
:-)
Why I’m a PMP...
Good question. There must be something you get out of the fee for the test plus the $200+ dollars every year, right?
My reasons:
1. I’m in agreement with Alberto - the PMI framework gives you a toolbox of very effective tools.
2. I appreciate the support PMI provides through the Special Interest Groups and Colleges. I get additional training and access to the knowledge of experienced PMs across my industry. As a member of the Information Systems SIG, I have access to free webinars on a broad range of topics throughout the year. The College of Scheduling has provided access to Best Practices and free webinars on Best Practices.
3. I appreciate the formal recognition that what we’re doing is a profession with its own set of standards and ethics. A reminder to take myself and my responsibilities seriously.
4. After you receive the PMP, there is the understanding that you need to continue to grow as a PMP by continuing your education. If my curiosity weren’t enough to keep me moving forward, the need to pick up training credits (PDUs) to maintain my PMP gives me additional motivation to continue to grow.
Hi Raven,
Like Phil, I didn't see the need for the PMP when I sat for it 3 years ago. At the time, more and more clients were requesting it.
Now that it's become the defacto minimum for professional PMs, it will become harder and harder for project managers to explain why they don't have it.
Don't be like a project manager at a company I know who was forced to prepare and take the exam while in the midst of taking over a failing program. He had advance warning, but kept putting it off until "later". Later came at a quite inconvenient time.
Will having a PMP make you an excellent project manager? no.
Will having the PMP, reading project management blogs, developing a network of other PMs, and continuing to develop your skill make you an excellent PM? YES.
Alec
Hi Raven and all,
I was an "early adopter" of the PMP (#740)but DROPPED it around 2003, because PMI as an organization, no longer exemplified the values that I, as a life-long project manager, subscribe to.
Generally speaking, I no longer subscribe to ANY of the knowlege (exam based) credentials, and urge my clients to seek out only those who hold COMPETENCY based credentials.
Oh, and Raven, not all academics do not have actual field experience. I didn't become an "academic" until after I retired from 40 years in general construction. Becoming an academic is my way of "giving something back" to an occupation that has been very rewarding to me, financially, professionally and psychologically.
BR,
Dr. PDG, from the Construction Management Association Conference, Bangkok, Thailand
www.getpmcertified.com
Craig shared his thoughts here: http://www.betterprojects.net/2009/03/on-pmp-certifications.html
I'm a recent PMP. I debated the value of it for some time.
I wrote a blog post on How and Why I passed the PMP Exam.
I think it's important to point out something with respect to Curt's statement. These are not mutually exclusive groups; the "academics" and the "executors".
Josh Nankivel
pmStudent.com
I followed Josh's link here from twitter.
I opted to get my PMP because 1) learning is good 2) adds tools to my repertoire 3) makes dealing with other PMPs easier 4) career competitiveness. I wrote up my PMP Exam experience also.
So, Raven - why are you a PMP?
Thanks to everyone who has shared their experience and thoughts so far! I appreciate your taking the time to comment on the often touchy subject of PMP.
Eva/All - I do not currently have the PMP certification myself, I mention this briefly in the post. I am an eight year member of PMI, have extensive experience in project management, and have combined the power of the two to my advantage, so far. Like other senior PMs I have seen struggling with this same issue, I do see the power of PMP - here in the US it is hard to find a PM job without PMP attached to it. I don't see that changing. Will I get the certification myself? Time will tell.
Why Are/Aren't YOU a PMP? Leave a comment and share!
It was not my intention to imply that having a PMP is useless or indicative in itself that someone is not able to execute. Rather that people who can 'get it done' are different than people who are solely academic. My question is really "How do you know an executor when you see one?"
P.S. Raven you've done a great job of building loyal readership.
I'm a PMP because the PM team in my organization uses PMI as a reference point. Why not get recognition if you're going to learning the material anyway.
The other aspects I appreciate are similar to those mentioned by Joelle, particularly his last point regarding external motivators to keep you moving. :-)
I have been a practitioner and I hope executor for over 20 years. I am also a member of PMI and hold a PMP. I think you must seperate the PMP credential from PI's Body of Knowledge (PMBok) for this discussion. Every professional needs a set of standards, guidlines, and best practices if it is to be more than just an art. It is also good to have an exam and certification to set a standard of knowledge and communication.
But just like a CPA or BAR exam - this does not mean a person can actually do the job! And it does not mean that all certified people will perform at the same level. If organizations are only looking for PMP and not for experience or ability to "execute", then they are not looking for the right things.
I view the PMP more like having a batchelor's degree - it is a minimum requirement. Then I start looking at the individual. I will admit that there are thousands for very good "xecutors" who do not have the PMP credential - and that is fine with me. I have to say it is hard to prove that you know the best prcatices and standrads for PM if you dont have one of the many PM certifications though.
Thank you to Curt and Raven for this great question! I think I will write some more on this in my blog (http://fearnoproject.com/).
Bruce
Just like me (who just passed my PMP fortunately), If any readers out there is geniunely looking for practise questions and some tips as well, try this site. http://pmpbank.googlepages.com
There are good tips on the study proceses for PMP, as well as a comprehensive PMP test question bank which I believe is basd on the latest PMPBOK version.
In fact, the author was kind enough to include RITA's PMP process chart, which is probably the MOST IMPORTANT thing that you have to study to pass the exams.
And it's TOTALLY FREE, which is pretty rare as most sites require some form of registration and then payment.
HEY WHY TO CONFUSE THE MATTER SO MUCH???
IF YOU ARE A REAAAAL BREED OF SO CALLED "executors" THEN WHAT'S STOPPING YOU FROM GETTING YOUR PMP CREDENTIALS.AFTER ALL GETTING IT ALSO IS KINDAA PROJECT :) Don't you all agree ???
So Real EXECUTORS will not shy away from PMP if they that stuff....
Hi,
If you really wanna PMP course there are good tips on the study proceses for PMP. I believe is based on the latest PMPBOK version. It would to be better for interesting people...
http://www.pmtrainingonline.com/
Hi,
I got PMP certified in 2007.
I went for the certification in order to distinguish myself from my competing project managers, who could not or did not want to go in for it. Besides, my organization had mandated having PMP in order to be considered for promotion to the next senior role.
I have provided concise information on the exam, including links to free sample questions and mock exams, <a href="http://wannabeapmp.blogspot.com> here </a>.
Best Regards,
Raja
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