Project Management Certifications

Hi Paul,
I never said you would become a PMP. Referring to the exam it is a memorization test for the most part. That is my point. We can disagree about value and yes I agree there is a range of quality of certificates Stanford is primo, UCI good and a community college okay.

We are talking degrees on a continuum.

Bah

 

I disagree that the PMP exam is a memorization for the most part. I believe that you can memorize the requisite formulas and some specific areas but the exam is driven by application in a scenario and does not lend itself to rote memory. While not the most difficult exam I have ever taken it does rate up there with one of the more comprehensive.

As for value I think the PMP has good recognition but is not a replacement for a degree, a certification yes, degree no. I also do not believe that a degree is a substitute for the PMP. The Stanford certificate does not carry academic weight, however Stanford after your name can't hurt.

While we can banter the relative merits of PMI and the PMP, the field and certification carry enough importance to merit schools seeking PMI for validation and seals of approval and to offer project management degrees.

Kevin

 

...

 

The PMP exam I took over three years ago was a lot more than memorization; much of it was application of quantitative methods, with a concentration on earned-value. Scope, risk, and change management were also key areas of concentration as were time, cost, and organization. I've known a number of folks who either didn't prepare properly or who didn't study at all who were promptly notified of their failures.

As to whether it's a paper chase, well... PMI provides structure around the profession. And they are the leading offeror of project management credentialling. In fact, the PMP represents a professional license to operate with many companies and clients. So, whether you like it or not, if you're serious about the profession and expect to function for any length of time as a project or program manager, it's a very important credential to have. It also doesn't hurt to bolster this with related continuing education in the field, either academic or professional, provided by well-known institutions.