Before and After: What Exactly Changes after Obtaining a PMP® Certification?

Today we welcome Mohammad Farooq, a guest author, to Tools 2 Succeed's Leadership from the Balcony!

Mohammad Farooq works as an Analyst with a keen interest in Project Management.  When not spending hours at work, he backpacks around India.  He regularly blogs about travel, movies, political issues and lots more on his blog, “Revering Thoughts.”

PMP, PMI, and PMBOK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute.

Before and After:  What Exactly Changes after Obtaining a PMP^® Certification?
By Mohammad Farooq

PMP^® (Project Management Professional) certification is an internationally-recognized certification that is issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI®).  After completing the PMP^® certification process, individuals can work in any industry as well as any locality.  Life before and after PMP^® certification can be very different, both in regard to how the project managers carry out their programs and how they are viewed by their peers and colleagues.  Their career development is usually enhanced as well.

Life before PMP^® Certification

Project managers with no prior PMP^® certification lack the necessary knowledge to efficiently and swiftly run the projects to completion.  Some of the common problems experienced by such project managers include:

• ·       Inability to run projects on time.  An IT project manager without PMP^® certification can, for example, fail to introduce newer technology on time when given such mandate.

• ·       Inability to run or complete projects with the budget availed to them.  A project manager in the construction industry, for example, can fail to complete the construction of a bridge with the available budget due to lack of PMP^® certification.

• ·       Inability to estimate the continuation costs precisely.  A project manager in a company might fail to determine the real cost of product development to its desired standard accurately if he/she lacks PMP^® certification.

Projects run by projects managers who have no PMP^® certification often do not fulfill all project management requirements.  Project managers in the service industry might fail to service their clients properly if they have no PMP^® certification.

Most of the projects carried out by project managers without PMP^® certification do not fulfill the expected return on investment (ROI).  A project manager working with securities or hedge funds without PMP^® certification might fail to make proper decisions or execute plans that fail to yield the expected ROI.

Additionally, many project managers have admitted that lacking PMP^® certification has affected their ability to gain employment or advance their careers.  Employers often overlook applicants without PMP^® certification, giving those certified better chances of becoming employed or promoted.

A non-certified project manager may lack knowledge that is vital for the success of initiating and running a project.  This can be a huge loss in regard to the project cost as well as trust from fellow administrators or investors.

Life after PMP^® Certification

PMP^® certification gives project managers distinctive capabilities and differentiates them from other managers due to their high level of managing and running a project.  By applying and sharing the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^®) Guide, the results can be exemplary and rewarding.

The greatest advantage of becoming PMP^® certified is that you can apply your PMBOK^® learning across programs in different industries and even in various countries.  With PMP^® certification, a project manager enhances his/her chances of either getting promoted or getting a more rewarding job.  In other words, the project manager’s career progression is much easier.

An individual with PMP^® certification is viewed as a person with a positive attitude towards knowledge acquisition.  It opens the door for more job opportunities as well.  Some of the helpful lessons and programs include clear project direction from the start to the end that will enable a project manager to carry out the task efficiently.

A PMP^® will also acquire excellent communication skills that are necessary to conduct the project more effectively.  These communication skills are necessary as they enable the PMP^® to communicate with all the team members who are important to the success of the project.  The certification also allows the PMP^® to have consistent client contact that is essential to the success of the program.

Another advantage of PMP^® certification is the ability to plan efficiently and execute the programs while running a project.  The certification can help the PMP^® to be motivated and handle any project with confidence and enthusiasm due to the high level of training and expertise that comes with certification.

Project managers with the PMP^® certification are also better able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of his/her team members and make the necessary adjustments to improve the running and management of the project.

Certification enables the PMP^® to be recognized by various players in project management and obtain contacts that would not be possible without certification while advancing his/her career in the process.

Another invaluable benefit for a PMP^® is the ability to make a career change with ease.  PMP^® certification will enable you to be considered for a project management positions across various industries.

Conclusion

The PMP^® certification takes only four hours to complete, and the standard fee is currently between $405 and $555.  One becomes certified after passing the examination but can retake the exam if he/she does not pass.

There are various ways to study to take the PMP^® certification exam, such as reviewing the PMP^® handbook, sample questions, the current PMP^® exam content outline, or the latest PMBOK^® Guide edition, or enrolling in a formal study course that is offered by PMI^® chapters or an accredited Registered Education Provider.

Certification makes a PMP^® stand out from other project managers regarding qualification and expertise.  It’s the way to enhance the program or project under your management to admirable levels.