Project Management Certification Around the World by:John Reiling
Project management certification is proliferating worldwide as organizations around the globe projectize
. This article surveys the various flavors of project management certification out there today.PRINCE2
PRINCE2 is the de facto standard used extensively by the UK Government and is widely recognized and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally. The key features of PRINCE2 are:
- focus on business justification
- defined organizational structure for the team
- product-based planning approach
- division of project into manageable and controllable stages
- flexibility at a level appropriate to the project
The PRINCE2 project management certification has the following levels:
- PRINCE2 Foundation
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
PRINCE2 Practitioners need to complete the PRINCE2 Practitioner re-registration exam every 3-5 years to keep their qualification up to date.
AIPM - Australian Institute of Project Management
Project management certification through the AIPM is primarily geared toward Australian professionals and organizations, although it is based on international standards and best practices.
There are several levels project management certification with the Australian Institute of Project Management, and an individuals level is based on the outcome of the RegPM ("Registered Project Manager") process. The individuals competency in the workplace is assessed, and project management certificationis awarded at one of three levels:
-CPPP Certified Practising Project Practitioner
-CPPM Certified Practising Project Manager
-CPPD Certified Practising Project Director
After 3 years recertification through Continuous Professional Development is required.
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Project+ is inexpensive, streamlined, uncomplicated project management certification that is more geared to teams of individuals within organizations. There are no prerequisites, no continuing education is required, and there is no application process, but there is a test based on international standards. It is targeted to teams or organizations that want to rapidly get up and running with the team thinking in a similar focused way about project management. CompTIA project management certification gives project managers the skills necessary to complete projects on time and within budget, and creates a common project management language among project team members. As with all CompTIA certifications, it is geared toward IT, and there is no evidence of strong market value for this project management certification.
Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMP and CAPM
The Project Management Professional (PMP) project management certification for experienced professionals is the most widely known and recognized worldwide. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry level project management certification and does not require experience.
Requirements for the PMP include:
-A bachelor's degree and 4,500 hours of PM experience in the five process groups, OR, a secondary school diploma and 7,500 hours of PM experience in the five process groups
-35 contact hours of classroom instruction that relate to project management objectives. Several types of courses fulfill this requirement.
-Supporting Documentation is required for the above qualifications.
-Pass the PMP exam, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 4 hours
-60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) are required every 3 years to maintain the PMP project management certification
IPMA International Project Management Association
This Swiss organization, the oldest in the project management profession, is primarily comprised of national project management associations worldwide. The IPMA represents 45 national project management associations on the international level and also offers a competence-based four level project management certification program.
The IPMA Competence Baseline (ICB) is the basis for the IPMA certification system. Certification is an independent third party assessment based on a level-specific combination of:
- Self assessment
- Written exam
- Report on the management of a project, program or portfolio
- Interview
Resulting project management certification levels are:
-IPMA Level A - Certified Projects Director
-IPMA Level B - Certified Senior Project Manager
-IPMA Level C - Certified Project Manager
-IPMA Level D - Certified Project Management Associate
APMC Advanced Project Management Certification
The APMC is a specialized advanced project management certification for senior project managers who want to go beyond go beyond PMP accreditation and complete training in The Kerzner Approach to Best Practices. Candidates must complete two required courses and four of the elective courses, and pass a short online post-test for each course. The focus is on expanding knowledge of higher-level strategic project management issues, including complex project management issues such as managing risk and quality to managing portfolios and multiple projects. Learning is from experts and practitioners, focused on analyzing current best practices from successful companies.
American Academy of Project Management (AAPM)
The AAPM offers project management certification in the following flavors:
-MPM Master Project Manager
-CIPM Certified International Project Manager
-PME Project Manager E-Business
-CPE Certified Planning Engineer
All require an application based upon completion of education, exclusively by approved education institutions and not private businesses.
BrainBench project management certification
BrainBench offers a project management certification that borrows from the PMI. The test is based on the PMIs Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). BrainBenchs unique niche in project management certification is in delivering easy-to-use assessment products that predict success on the job, and thus it is more targeted to organizations than to independent individuals who are seeking a widely recognized credential.
About the author
John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. John's web site, project management certification provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs. John also writes regularly in his blog, http://PMcrunch.com. Four Things to Understand About Prepayment Penalties by:John Steely How to Find Cheaper Prices than Kinkos and Staples for Digital Printing by:Michiel Van Kets Why Most People Lose Money in MLM by:Wayne Wu Employment Background Check: Recommended on Declining Job Market by:Teena C. Nesbit Real Estate Investing Via Web 2.0 by:Dan Auito Investing During A Recession--The Collectibles Market by:Greg M. Nelson Get Your First Flip Faster with a Mentor by:Karen Roberts Todays Women at Work have Unique Opportunities - A New Call To Action For Womenand Employers by:Kathy Caprino How to Lead in Tough Times by:Kevin Eikenberry The Case for Customer Partnerships by:Kevin Eikenberry Detroit Michigan: The Best And Worst Place To Invest In Real Estate by:Maximillion Richman List Building - Why Is It So Important? by:Michael Smith Sell Your Property in 28 days by:Steve McCall