Organizations need a skilled and talented workforce for business growth. As an individual, you would want to skill up and step up in your career. PMP® certification, an internationally recognized credential offered by the Project Management Institute, meets both of these requirements.
You learn a set of hard and soft skills, extend networking opportunities, and get well-placed with a better pay package as a result of earning and maintaining the PMP certification.
PMP® certification is unquestionably beneficial to both companies as well as individuals. You can learn more about the qualifications that can be learned by completing training with a PMI Approved Training Partner and then passing the certification test.
What is PMP Certification?
Project Management Professional certification offered by Project Management Institute (PMI) is a globally recognized and industry-accepted credential for project managers. It is the gold standard in project management worldwide. PMP® demonstrates the education, experience, proficiency, and competency required to direct and manage projects.
PMP® certified professionals possess skills that enable them to manage projects more efficiently than non-certified persons. Certified candidates save a lot of time and cost with their knowledge and skills. They execute projects successfully on time and on budget while adhering to the best business practices.
CIO Magazine ranked PMP® as one of the top 15 IT certifications in demand for 2021. One can apply the proficiency gained in PMP Certification across industries and geographies.
PMP delivers immense value in one's career. Taking PMP® training and earning certification opens up a world of possibilities.
Preparing for the PMP® certification exam helps in understanding the major aspects of the project management framework. The knowledge base referred to for training and certification is collated in the Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). This includes proven traditional practices and innovative practices emerging in the domain.
This body of knowledge is constantly pushing its boundaries, and the 6th edition of PMBOK® Guide is currently available for the PMP® certification exam. PMBOK® also serves as the common language among project managers across organizations.
Learning from PMP Certification:
The PMP exam is not an easy ride. It takes a significant number of hours of study and preparation. You must master the study material and learn the fundamentals of project management to stand a chance in passing the certification exam.
As a result of pursuing PMP certification, you acquire the essential technical skills required to manage projects. Additionally, you have the opportunity to learn soft skills during the certification training and while retaining the PMP® badge. One will also learn the best practices and current trends in project management.
The skills acquired during preparation for the certification exam are referred to as pre-certification learning. The skills learned while retaining the certification could be post-certification learning.
Prerequisites to Learn PMP:
PMP certification opens up avenues to develop new skills that will enhance your knowledge and opportunities for career growth.
What can the certification process teach you?
Hard Skills:
Most of the project management technical skills are acquired while preparing for the certification exam.
PMI requires candidates aspiring to get certified to go through 35 hours of training ( 35 PDUs - Professional Development Unit) provided by Approved Instructors of PMI Authorized Training Partner. This ensures the effective transfer of knowledge as per the PMBOK® Guide.
The applicant must learn the basic principles of project management during the preparation phase. It is recommended that one unlearns his or her current method of project management before learning the PMBOK® framework of project management. This helps grasp the core ideas stated in the guide quickly and easily.
The training provides a thorough explanation of all processes, methodologies, tools and techniques, as well as recommended templates that help to build the foundation for efficient project management. You also acquire the required complex skill set.
Soft Skills:
Some of the top soft skills the certification program helps a candidate develop are discussed below.
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Perseverance:
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. - Newt Gingrich
It needs extensive preparation to get ready for the certification exam. Depending on the candidate's availability, this could take anything from a few weeks to several months. Since most prospective candidates balance duties at the workplace and at home, as well as find an appropriate period for preparation on a daily basis, they must be persistent in their efforts.
A PMP-certified individual possesses an inherent standard of perseverance, which is one of the most in-demand skills among employers.
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Communication skills :
A PMI research has found that highly effective communicators are more likely to deliver projects on time (71% versus 37%) and within budget (76% versus 48 %).
Managing project communication is an essential topic in the PMBOK® Guide, and the training sessions impart the same project management skill.
Actively listening to training sessions, ensuring process clarity, and assimilating of the ideas shared in the PMBOK® Guide are all essential for mastering the critical principles of project management.
When in a live class, you should participate in group discussions to better understand the principles with model scenarios. You must even try to apply the project management theories in your work and develop your verbal and written communication skills.
PMI needs domain knowledge, which covers challenging projects you've worked on, qualifying hours, and a review of your experience. To set it down crisply and concisely, it takes quite a bit of writing skill.
In a nutshell, you go through the process of acquiring communication skills in preparation for the certification exam.
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Collaboration :
Managing projects is all about collaboration. A project manager has to team up with stakeholders to accomplish tasks and lead the project till completion.
Certification preparation includes managing partners, collaborating with the team, and addressing disputes through teamwork.
Besides, the aspirant learns to collaborate with other participants during the interactive training sessions. A collaborative approach is also considered to build consensus on issues and successfully run projects. This provides ample opportunity to practice collaboration skills.
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Adaptability:
"An adaptive mind has better learning capability." - Pearl Zhu.
Adapting the PMBOK® Guide framework and incorporating the concepts in real-world ventures is the key to passing the certification exam.
Adapting to a rigorous learning schedule and a gold standard project management framework enhances your skills required to adapt to changes at the workplace.
The knowledge acquired through training helps you critically analyze the existing processes and develop strategies for successful project implementation. Repeating effective methodology adaptations will help you improve your adaptability and soft skill.
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Problem-solving :
Preparing for the certification exam is about solving numerous problems based on scenarios and the PMBOK® Guide. It requires you to determine the source of a problem and quickly find an effective solution based on your learning. You must solve hundreds of problems to gain confidence to sit for the exam . Your problem-solving skills will get better and better as you move forward with preparation.
This skill is highly valued for any role in any industry. Paying close attention to details, acquiring in-depth knowledge through study and research, teamwork, and good communication will aid in developing your problem-solving abilities.
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Emotional Intelligence :
"The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and influence their actions." - John Hancock.
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to perceive, measure, and consider your own and others' emotions. It is required that you reflect EI to react to and interact with your colleagues effectively.
Being PMP® certified, you acquire this skill by learning the rules of engagement with stakeholders, conflict resolution, and communication with empathy. Organizations respect individuals with emotional intelligence characteristics at work, and the effort in collaboration and conflict resolution result in improved emotional intelligence skills.
Post training for a Certified PMP® Professional:
Now that you have secured a PMP® badge after clearing one of the most challenging certification exams, PMI requires you to broaden your knowledge base and keep your certification in good standing. To maintain the certification, PMI requires that the certified professional continue to learn and receive 60 PDUs over the course of three years. PDUs are expected in all three expertise areas of PMI's talent triangle: technological, leadership, and strategic and business management.
PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program is designed to grow and develop the skills that organizations seek while maintaining certification status.
You can earn PDUs by learning and giving back. Attending live and on-demand webinars, PMIXPO, instructor-led online workshops, reading relevant material, demonstrating activities that allow you to share and use your expertise to help develop your career are all different ways to learn new skills and build the profession.
Also Read- TOP 20 PMI-PMP sample practice exam questions
End Note :
PMP® is a ladder to step up to the higher levels of professional life. Overall, it is evident that the PMP® credential can add immense value to help project managers advance in their careers.
Hence the training for PMP becomes absolutely essential in the process. If having an experienced trainer to take the sessions is important, it is much more important to have the training center provide post training support like Free Mock Tests, One on One Support, Forums, Webinars etc…. This is where ExcelR is the best.
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