Project management has everything to do with planning, scheduling, budgeting for, and then executing and reporting on projects of all shapes and sizes. In fact, anything and everything that IT does can be understood or handled as a project of some kind. It applies to one-of-a-kind activities that happen only once or very seldom (think hardware or OS upgrades or migrating from older to newer platforms or infrastructures). Thus, project management is incredibly important and valuable to IT operations across the board.

Project management is the professional process of delivering projects within deadlines. Every organization aims project to deliver a successful product or to provide the best service. Project management being professional involves different types of certification courses for the candidate stating his/her skills with respect to certification. Project management has different methodologies like agile, traditional, waterfall, adaptive, critical path, pert, RUP, critical chain, extreme, scrum, six sigma, crystal, and joint application development. The best suitable model is recommended as per the analysis of the project. So various certifications help the professional in managing project management phases like analysis, planning, execution, monitor and control choosing the right methodology. 

Based on a quick survey, the PMP is the overall favorite and remains our Number One pick for must-have project management certifications. PMI's entry-level project management credential, the CAPM, also made our top five. The CSM from Scrum Alliance, along with ASQ's Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt credentials, round out those picks. It’s also worth noting that job postings for project managers increased by 20 percent from 2018 across all project management certifications.

 

Project management course Varies based on

1. Duration

2. Cost

3. Education qualification/experience requirement

4. Area of interest/specialization 5.salary expectation

6. Accreditation. It also depends on the institute you opting to take training from.

 

The top Ten Project management certifications are:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – Agile Project Management Certification

4. CompTIA Project+ Certification

5. Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)

6. PRINCE2 – Projects in Controlled Environments

7. Associate in Project Management (APM)

8. Master Project Manager (MPM)

9. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

10. Certified Project Director

 

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

The PMP Certification is the most demanded certification across the globe. They keep updating the course contents to keep it up to date and aligned with the rapidly changing requirements of the industry. The course is designed to have various modules to assist the academia in identifying the weak spots within a project.

The way it is structured ensures that credential-holders possess the skills and qualifications necessary to successfully manage all phases of a project, including initiating, planning, scheduling, executing and monitoring, and closing out the project. As a result, the project manager becomes much prepared to guide the team to come up with alternatives to achieve all the milestones towards a deliverable product.

PMP shapes the profiles of management professionals. It is been observed that PMP certified professionals earned 25% more than non-certified professionals. To make a project successful under risk management requires well-skilled project manager. So PMP provides all possible skills and techniques which states that candidate is having potential of being best professional. Not only project manager but PMP certification is important for all management professionals.

 

Requirement: They must have the skills and education necessary to succeed in the project management field with work experience directly, or indirectly related to heading projects.

 

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

CAPM is preferred for beginners as basic level IT Project Management Certifications that’s lined up with plenty of learning and growth opportunities. CAPM is considered as a steppingstone credential for those who wish to attain PMP status by stages, rather than in a single giant leap.

CAPM is basic certification for professionals to enter project management. CAPM includes topic as Introduction to Project Management, Project Environment, Role of the Project Manager, Project Integration Management, Project Scope Management, Project Schedule Management, Project Cost Management, Project Quality Management, Project Resource Management, Project Communication Management, Project Risk Management, Project Procurement Management, Project Stakeholder Management.

Requirement: It is not as stringent as PMP. CAPM requires only a high school diploma and either 1,500 hours of documented on-the-job experience

 

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – Agile Project Management Certification

Scrum is a framework within which people can address complex adaptive problems, while productively and creatively delivering products of the highest possible value. As the usage of agile methodologies in IT organizations has started to increase, professionals are looking for certifications that help them become certified Scrum masters. Hence a person with CSM certification will gain skills to execute the project in an organized approach with daily scrum and sprint review. A certified Scrum Master will get to learn the Scrum framework and gain an understanding of team roles, events, artifacts, and rules and enable the Team to perform at their highest level.

CSM is essential for professionals who start practicing scrums with respect to project management methodology. The role of CSM is to make a professional into a scrum master who helps the self-organizing, self-managing team members to reach their goals. CSM course boosts the confidence of a management professional in implementing the Scrum framework effectively in organizations.

Requirement: Familiarity with Scrum and Agile mindset at a basic level.

 

4. CompTIA Project+ Certification

Business professionals managing or coordinating small-to-medium-sized projects can prefer going for this certification. People having one year of project management experience with less complex projects can take this as entry-level certification.

With this certification, you get to learn project basics, constraints, tools, documentation, and change management which is beyond the scope of just one methodology or framework as it draws on multiple frameworks to provide a general project management competency. Hence the essential project management concepts get covered here.

 In the computing Technology Industry Association the professionals certified are responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, research, and networking.

 

Requirement: Requirements are slightly less stringent, and it mildly correlates to the computing industry. One year knowledge of project life cycle with the Ability to manage resources and stakeholders

 

5. Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)

With the demand for professionals in IT security increases, it’s important to have candidates aiming managerial post in IT security to follow precise strategies specifically designed to maintain a team working towards IT Security. Therefore this certification helps candidates reinforce their existing project management skills with the unique requirements of implementing and managing IT security within their organizations.

Requirement: At least two years of experience in information security and educational background that shows a focus on security

 

6. PRINCE2 – Projects in Controlled Environments

PRINCE2 is much more upgraded and considered as one of the top-level in the project management certifications chain. A couple of pre-requisites has to be cleared to take up this certification otherwise, the governing administration will not allow you to sit the exam.

Candidates with PRINCE2 certification are hence considered with a higher reputation in their concerned field. Also with this comes higher expectation from organizations as they will be equipped with the knowledge of validating employees, core project management skills, concepts about IT project management lifecycle and business development tools as well.

Prince2 methodology improves the project management skills helping upcoming project managers. There are certain levels of Prince2 certification as follows-

a. Foundation-

It is the basic level of Prince2 certification. The professionals in the organization can bring out their best techniques to make profit.

 

b. Practitioner-

This certification is beneficial to develop skills for project management with respect to risk management.

 

c. Professional-

Professional PRINCE2 certification is helpful for professionals to handle complex projects. It is also recommended to go for a practitioner before professional certification.

 

d. Agile-

 

For the professionals who need guidance for agile methods then these certification is beneficial for both small and large firms.

Requirement: PRINCE 2 exam is that you need to have at least one certification that qualifies you as “eligible” for the examination. Certifications with Any of the IPMA Level A to B or certain other certification has to be cleared prior to taking this certification

 

7. Associate in Project Management (APM)

Professionals who are new to the project management field can opt for this as an entry-level certification in the field of Project Management. It demonstrates that the candidate has the required knowledge in the field confining to the entry-level of project management. Core competencies that are emphasized in this project management certification are resource management, quality assurance, and communication.

Associate in Project Management is a course for entry-level practitioners, as well as anyone who has an expressed interest in project management as a career or else wants to improve their effectiveness in the project management environment. This course is also recommended for candidates who are already working in project management or have better knowledge and willing to have official certification.

Requirement: Does not have any prerequisites i.e. no formal education or experience required

 

8. Master Project Manager (MPM)

 

It’s a certification for experienced project managers. Experienced managers aiming to enhance productivity at the workplace can opt for this certification as it helps you earn additional points. By defining and associating the teachings of management with engineering, it provides a simple but effective training environment for professionals with a technical background.

MPM actually makes professionals equip with skills like management with respect to time in terms of project delivery. MPM also skill's the professional to make use of modern new technology. It develops a comprehensive tool-kit for successful project management that can be used immediately. Moreover, it also boosts up the resume of the candidate. It is also beneficial for the understanding of Ethics and Ethical Roles of the Project Manager.

Requirement: Candidates must have at least three years of project management experience and have either an approved degree or training in order to qualify for this project management certification.

 

9. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

Currently, ASQ offers 18 credentials, three of which specifically target project management: the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (expert level), the Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional level) and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) (entry-level).

The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is ASQ's highest Six Sigma credential. The CSSBB aims at experienced practitioners who understand Six Sigma methodologies (including the DMAIC model), tools, systems, and philosophies. CSSBBs can lead teams or manage team dynamics, roles, and responsibilities.

Requirement: The path to CSSBB certification is rigorous. In addition to passing a comprehensive exam, candidates must complete two projects that employ Six Sigma tools and processes, resulting in project improvement and a positive financial project impact. An affidavit is also required to attest to the veracity of the project. Alternatively, candidates with at least three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas need only complete one Black Belt project.

 

10. Certified Project Director

CPD is one of the most prestigious & highest-level project management certification. As much as CPD itself is a daunting venture, it rewards qualified personnel with equal employment and salary-related opportunities. This designation is designed for experienced project managers who are involved in directing multiple, complex projects and programs. The program focuses on managing, budgeting and determining scope for multiple projects, multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating interdependent risks to deliver projects successfully. The CDP program is only for those who have significant project management experience.

The professionals who want to do something more than PPM then a Certified Project Director is the best option. The managers who are willing to go ahead for the designation of the director are recommended to apply for Certified Project Director.

The GAQM’s (Global Association for Quality Management) Certified Project Director certification is the credentialing body's highest-level project management certification.

Requirements: Candidates must have sound knowledge on principles and methodologies of project management and pass the Professional in Project Management (PPM) or equivalent exam.

As a result, we conclude the importance of project management certification with respect to industries. As opportunity knocks only once so it is recommended to take advantage of this course of PMP training for professionals. Monks Learning Lab is offering the best course for PMP training to develop the best management professionals for industries. Monks Learning Lab is also well equipped with real industry experts providing in their experience along with training to develop the skills in candidates. Surely it will turn candidates into best project management professional in future.