Six Reasons Why PMP Certification Is Worth It

This article is going to discuss six reasons why PMP Certification is worth it. Let’s get started!

Introduction

According to a recent PwC poll, certified PMP project managers are in charge of more than three-quarters of high-performing projects. Additionally, firms with more than one-third of their managers certified by the PMP had considerably higher project success rates than those without. What else? In 2016, PMP is the fifth highest-paying credential. Seems significant enough. If it does, should you pursue PMP certification as the following step? Let’s first define PMP before diving more into this issue in this essay.

What is a PMP certification?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a well-known professional credential. The Project Management Institute (PMI), a non-profit professional organization based in the US, provides it. The PMP is a widely accepted and respected credential that project managers are expected to possess. Particularly for individuals who want to advance in their careers.

What is the PMP certification exam about?

Aspirants are tested using the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), which includes industry standards. The PMP exam puts candidates via challenges drawn from five performance domains. Each exam domain’s weight is indicated by a number in parenthesis.

1. Getting the project started (13%)
2. Project preparation (24%)
3. Project execution (31%).
4. Project oversight and management (25%)
5. Project completion (7%)

What are the PMP exam requirements?

Regarding whom should submit an application, PMI says:

The PMP is the best option for you if you have experience managing projects and are in charge of all aspects of project delivery while managing cross-functional teams. More importantly, in order to be certified, a person must fulfil a number of requirements. An applicant must possess:

1. Secondary degree, such as an associate degree or its equivalent internationally.
2. 7,500 hours spent managing and directing work
3. 35 hours of instruction in project management

Alternatively, applicants may also possess:

1. 4-year degree
2. 4,500 hours spent overseeing projects
3. 35 hours of instruction in project management

Also read: Know Why CCNP Certification Is the Key to Success in the Networking Industry?

Is PMP certification worth it?

Let’s go back to the original question now that we have a better understanding of what the PMP is all about. Do you need to obtain a PMP certification? The PMP certification has fees as well as advantages. However, many recruiting specialists and licensed professionals concur that the advantages greatly exceed the disadvantages.

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the issues related to PMP certification.

1. It is expensive

The cost of the PMP certification is $550 if you are not a PMI member. However, if you are a member, taking the exam will only cost you $405. However, PMI membership itself costs $139. Despite the fact that joining PMI costs only $11, there are a number of additional advantages. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you join PMI before signing up for the exam. Furthermore, if you fail the exam on your first try and decide to retake it, you must pay $275 if you are a PMI member and $375 if you are not.

2. It is difficult

Most individuals concur that the PMP exam is challenging. Some even claim it to be the most difficult exam they have ever taken. The challenge comes from the fact that the exam assesses both conceptual retention and practical application. Even an experienced project manager finds it alarming when time constraint is added (you have 200 questions to answer in 240 minutes). Additionally, everyone takes a different amount of time to pass the exam. Some people succeed after two to three months. Others, after years of preparation, are unable to obtain certification.

3. It is time-consuming

Yes, there is a monetary expense. The cost of time, however, is the bigger issue for the majority of individuals. They bemoan the number of hours needed to get PMP certified.

It has to do with preparing itself to some extent. You must dedicate some time each day to studying the PMBOK guide because the exam is challenging. Most folks concur that’s not all though. As part of your preparation, you should read through a number of other materials, go to study sessions (if you decide to enroll in any), and take practice exams. It does take a lot of time to do all of these tasks. They feel even more time-pressed because the majority of candidates are employed.

Also read: CSM Certification: Is it Worth the Investment?

Benefits of doing a PMP certification

1. Adds value to the resume

You can acquire a variety of professional credentials throughout your career. The most valuable credential program, however, is the PMP certification. This is recognized by those conducting interviews to fill project management positions. The result is that they Favour profiles with PMP certification over those without it.

Jobs in project management are in high demand. Consequently, many people apply for these jobs in most circumstances. The organization must spend a lot of time and resources interviewing and evaluating each applicant. As a result, they prefer to eliminate as many candidates as they can before the project management interview process. The PMP certification is helpful in this regard because it is one of the most unbiased ways to shortlist candidates.

2. Provides Industry recognition

The PMP credential is accepted worldwide. Numerous certification programs exclusively cover a single region or industry. On the other hand, PMP is a global organization that works with any industry and in any country. Adding the qualification to your resume will benefit you regardless of your professional background or field.

What is the value of a PMP certification in the marketplace? The success rate of projects increases, according to data, as the number of certified project managers increases inside an organization. Companies also understand that trained managers are better at finishing the project on schedule and under budget.

3. Helps you learn important skills

In the employment market, there are a lot of project managers. How do you stand out from the throng in such a situation? Why not achieve it by earning your PMP certification? Your resume becomes more appealing to employers as a result. More importantly, PMBOK certification gives you the knowledge and abilities you need to succeed in the workplace.

The PMP certification has strict requirements. As a result, passing this exam without a lot of preparation is difficult. Additionally, you must master the material’s practical application. Several hard and soft skills must be learned in order to obtain the PMP credential. It increases knowledge of the essential tools, techniques, and approaches used in project management. Additionally, it exposes you to modern project management trends and best practices.

Conclusion

With that, we’ve come to the end of this article. While some may think that getting a PMP certification is time-consuming, expensive and difficult, a lot of hiring professionals view the certification as a value-add that significantly strengthens your resume. What’s more, it helps in the development and acquisition of important abilities needed for employees to succeed in the workplace. So yes! Earning a PMP certification is worthwhile.

Tanisha bajaj