The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) course is an entry level course in
Project Management conducted by PMI. One would wonder the relevance of CAPM
considering the importance and recognition the PMP (Project Management Professional)
certification course has earned for itself.
The two certifications are meant for different groups of professionals. The PMP certification
is meant for project managers who are already functioning in that capacity and have
experience in executing projects. The CAPM is meant for professionals who want to make a
career in project management, but have little or no experience in the function. For example,
an ideal CAPM candidate would be a member of a project team who handles the technical
side and wants a career shift. This person would know how a project evolves and operates,
but does not have the capacity to steer it like a project manager.
Going by the above explanation, the CAPM certification is an entry pass to the PM world
and work on small projects as a project manager or be a second in command for larger
projects.
What CAPM introduces and covers
The CAPM course that a person takes (if he takes one) has to cover the following areas,
which are also part of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK)
- Project Integration Management
- Project Scope Management
- Project Time Management
- Project Cost Management
- Project Quality Management
- Project HR Management
- Project Communication Management
- Project Risk Management
- Project Procurement Management
- Project Stakeholder Management
The areas listed above are known as knowledge areas. Classified into these knowledge
areas are 49 processes that one should be aware of.
Summarizing, the CAPM certification is can be called the gateway to project management.
Obtaining this certification will spur an ambitious professional on for more specialization
in the project management field