Today’s business and industrial world has totally changed. According to a report by Bain & Company, most of the work will be project-based by 2027. Another report says that the demand for project managers is growing more rapidly than the demand for skilled workers in other occupations. It increases the importance of project managers and reflects the growing understanding of the impact that project management can have on a business. Several organizations use project management to align projects with business strategy. PMI also states that good project management can help organizations meet budgets, stay on schedule, and meet scope, expected benefits, and quality standards. Project management is considered the driver of organizational strategy.
Nowadays project management is becoming a crucial part of any organization in order to achieve the desired growth and success as projects are often complex and include a large number of stakeholders. It provides a clear focus on the organization’s priorities and defines their project objectives. A good project manager keeps an eye on all the problems so that the team can focus on the right tasks at the right time and within a fixed budget. These managers provide realistic project planning and can consider the big picture and set realistic and achievable goals. Therefore several training providers are offering project management certification courses to impart the necessary skills to project managers. These certifications, specifically a PMP certification, are becoming essential to achieving great success in this domain.
This article is all about the pathway to becoming a PMP certified professional.
What is Project Management?
Project management is generally known as a process that involves special tools, techniques, methods, skills, and the use of specific knowledge in order to deliver something of value to people. It includes the planning and organization of a company’s resources to move a specific event, task, or duty towards completion. Project management is all about the process of leading the work of a team to achieve all project goals within time and budget limits. It is also helpful in initiating, planning, managing, and executing the way that new changes or initiatives are implemented within an organization.
We can understand project management better through its key components mentioned below.
- Project Time- It is about the intended duration of the project work.
- Project Cost- It is about the budget or finance allocated for the project work.
- Project Scope- It is about the changes or innovations that can be delivered by the project.
- Project Quality- It is about the quality standard of the outcome of the project.
PMP Certification
PMP or the Project Management Professional certification, provided by PMI (Project Management Institute), is an industry-recognized and world’s leading certification for project managers. It includes agile, predictive, and hybrid approaches that prove project leadership expertise and experience in any way of working. PMP certification validates your expertise and validates that you are among the highly skilled and the best professionals in people, processes, and business environments. You can take PMP certification courses that are specially designed to ensure that you can pass the PMP exam on the first try.
How to Become a PMP Certified Professional?
Earning a PMP certification can supercharge your skills and make your work done smartly. It is known as the world’s leading project management certification. Below mentioned are a few crucial steps to become a PMP certified professional.
Fulfill the Prerequisites- PMP certification is a valuable one that shows your commitment. Before applying for the certification, some of the requirements are to be fulfilled necessarily such as any four-year degree, 36 months of any leading projects, and a minimum of 35 hours of project management training or education, or a CAPM Certification. Or a high school diploma, or an associate’s degree at the global level, 60 months of leading projects, and 35 hours of project management training or education or CAPM Certification.
It’s Time to Take Actions- After fulfilling the prior requirements, now is the time to take action towards your journey of becoming a PMP certified professional.
- Project Management Training Course- This training courses help you to crack and pass the exam on your first try as well as it can be counted for the 35 hours of PM education you require. The right training can prove to be an investment in your future. A real review course can work within your budget and fits your learning style. These training courses help to study faster, provide a wide range of information, and pass the exam on your first try. So always try to opt for a suitable PMP training course as there are many courses available provided by several reputed providers.
- Applications for Exam- The very first step to achieving PMP certification is to apply to take the exams. You should know and fulfill the formalities (requirements, handbook, and application pointer), and know about the exam fee which is $405 for PMI members, and $555 for non-PMI members. Becoming a PMI member is not necessary, but it is highly convenient and recommended as being a member has lots of benefits.
- Take your Exams- After applying for the exams, it is time to take exams. Now you can schedule the exam’s date and place. It includes various small but important steps to go through such as the syllabus of the exam, question patterns, number of questions, passing the exam, exam guidelines, and finally taking the exam online. These exams take place in one of Prometric’s worldwide testing sites. You have 4 hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions to solve that are about the main domains of project management.
- Achieve and Maintain PMP Certification- Not only achieving certification is important, but it is also important to maintain your PMP certification. It requires engaging in continuous professional development in order to remain certified. Keep yourself updated and learn how to stay current. Continuing education can also help you maintain your degree/certification and keep you ahead of competitors. It is also mandatory to fulfill the PMI’s CCR ( Continuous Certification Requirement) which requires you to gain at least 60 PDUs every three years.
So achieving a PMP certification means being recognized worldwide as a solid professional of project management that too with the most well-known standard like PMBOK. Follow the pathway sincerely to become a skilled and high-level project manager. Once you get certified don’t forget to add PMP after your name in your social profiles. Good Luck.