How to get PMP Cerification?

Certification: PMI PMP - Project Management Professional

Certification overview

Continuing one's education after getting a degree is a must in today's hectic business world. Graduates who let a few years pass without attending a seminar, training, course or obtaining a certification are losing the track with new generations of professionals who are seeking for more knowledge and are more motivated, younger and faster. Experience is crucial in good job performance, but employers are looking for an “updated“ professional who can keep up with new challenges. Therefore, more and more employers claim that they simply skip the candidates who do not hold certain certificates in the field of expertise. One of them is the PMI's PMP certificate. One fifth of the world's GDP is spent on project management and project realisation related jobs. Therefore, project managers are crucial in successful world of business. Additionally, more than amazing 51 million people worldwide are engaged, directly or indirectly, into project management. This puts the PMP into the spotlight of business scene of today.

PMP certification training has had more than 500 000 people so far. Lately, this number significantly increases due to great marks that PMI has got for its PMP certificate, such as recognition by the US government, Global Knowledge, etc.

PMP training and certification is currently recognized as a valuable credential in more than 104 countries.

PMP training certification is led by skilled instructors who are profficient in different industries. IT industry professionals are increasingly applying for the PMP training certification after 2014, since a number of portals, magazines and institutes have announced that this certification is the hottest one for IT professionals.

A number of candidates have claimed that this certification is especially practical due to their work schedule, since online pmp certification training is now available. They have also stated that this way of training is affordable and convenient. The training methods vary:

• e-discussions
• -home assignments
• online case studies
• sample tests prior to the examination that help the trainee prepare in the best possible manner
• group projects
• partner projects
• exercises
• role-playing
• self-tests

The training lasts from one to two weeks.

Who should take this certification?

This certification is designed for both new-in-the-business project managers and professionals with work experience who wish to get a promotion, new job or are trying to find a job internationally. It is applicable in most industries and types of jobs, since the definition of a project covers a very wide field of professions. However, IT specialists and civil engineers are the hottest target gourps.

Benefits

Benefits from attending the PMP training and certification are numerous, such as:

• promotions
• better hiring chances
• hands on experience
• international recognition – in more than 104 countries
• continuing education opportunity

Associated exams

There is only one, 200 – questions exam associated to getting the PMP certificate.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for taking the programme and the examination are clear and unified.

Depending on the category, the level of expertise and years of experience of the candidate vary.

If the candidate holds only a high school diploma, the following prerequisites must be completed:

• 7 500 hours of work in project management
• 5 years of experience

If the candidate is a Bachelor of Science or equivalent, he / she must fulfill the following:

• 4 500 hours of work experience
• 3 years of experience in the field

Both groups apply for 35 horus of training.

Exam overview

The PMP exam is consisted of 200 multiple choice questions, 25 of which are starter questions. The topics covered and percentages of questions included are as follows:

• 13% on the initialization of the project
• 24% on planning of the project
• 30% on the project execution
• 25% on controlling and monitoring of the project
• 8% of the project closure

Initiation of the project part requires the following skills from the candidate:

• Cost – benefit analysis
• Stakeholder identification
• Project charter
• Risk identification, etc.

Planning the project requires the following skills:

• Time estimation
• Cost estimation
• Resource planning
• Workflow diagrams
• Scope management skills, ...

Project execution related skills needed to pass the exam are:

• Monitoring tools and techniques
• Quality monitoring tools
• Budgeting tools
• Statement of work, ...

Controlling and monitoring of the project requires the following skills:

• Change management techniques
• PERT
• CPM
• Project performance metrics techniques, ...

Closing the project part of the exam checks the following skills of the candidates:

• Feedback techniques
• Archiving techniques
• Close – out procedures

The exam is computer – based. However, in specific situations and on demand, exceptions may be made.

Validity of Certification

The certification is valid for 3 years unless the candidate completes professional education.

Expert review

As a CEO in an international IT company, I have experienced much better work results with holders of PMP certification than those who did not possess the certificate. I highly recommend all professionals taking the PMP certification training.

John White

CEO, J&W IT Solutions, London