Project Management Certifications have proven their value. But it helps to get the right Certification.

A Certification that fits your goal, role, and makes you more valuable to the organization.

• validates your existing skills

• improves your understanding of what you already know

• increases your knowledge in new areas

• gives you access to networks and continuous learning to stay ahead of the curve

• shows employers you are serious about personal growth and skill-building

Project management is in demand more than ever. And what key skills are companies looking for?

Source: PMI Pulse survey

Certification may be the edge you are looking for - but which Certification is right for you? And how do Certifications work anyway?

Who gives out Project Certifications? 

Not-for-profit organizations have generally managed Certifications, often focused on a specific area of specialization, either by industry or approach.  

But in the past few years, there is a change. Corporate-driven certification options are becoming prominent—more on these below.

Let’s look at 8 of the most well known or up and coming options.

Of course the above PM Certifications are just some of the many on the market. There are organizations, businesses and Universities with their own approach, process and certification. I choose these to represent the best of the old and new options for Project Managers. However, not all Certifications are equal.

Are some PM Certifications better than others?

Depending on where you live or the kinds of work you do, some certifications are a better Match.  

• Multi-Nationals prefer the PMI certifications

• The UK and some European agencies prefer either the Prince 2, IAPM, IPMA options

• Quality-centric companies often focus on AQS and similar options

What is the Cost and effort to get certified?

The Cost for Certification is Three-Fold:

1. The effort and hours to complete Certification.

2. The initial cost for the training, and testing, and application process.

3. The ongoing Cost for membership, continuing education, recertification.

These costs differ dramatically in type, amount, and timeframe for each of the options.

The Best Practice Project Certifications

In the table below, I outline the Best Practice Certifications. These proven approaches have met the needs of all kinds of Project Managers in the past decade. Because of this, these options are the most widely known and have the largest number of active certifications. These organizations often focus on memberships, ongoing education, and certification milestones to keep skills relevant and ensure the efficacy of their Certifications.  

The new Disrupters in Project Certifications

In the past few years, a new kind of Certification has emerged. Largely Corporate-led, these focus on a more pragmatic approach, are linked to specific organizations approach to Project Management and culture. They either attempt to address gaps in the Best Practice Certification options or model Project Certifications to align more closely with other certifications, such as coding, focusing on access, not membership. In a few cases, the content available for free. These new options have created a new dynamic to the Certification 'industry' and can be a boon to users looking for alternative approaches.

Project Management Is a Journey, Not a Destination

As discussed, Certifications can improve your knowledge, skills, and job prospects, and often do. But they don't always make you a better project manager.  

That is why so many Organizations focus on proof of field experience and documented project outcomes as part of their Certification process.

This is because the learning and exam process is not definitively proven to make a great project manager. Based on data collected from companies like IBM and PWC, there is anecdotal evidence. Still, there is no data to support that Certification is a fail-safe method to prove project managers and project outcomes.

This may be because Project Management is both an art and a science. Judgment, Discernment, and People Skills are difficult to assess because they are situational.

Some Organizations are attempting to train and test for these skills, but it is not easy.  

• The project, company and country cultures,

• The project focus and goal,

• The issues being addressed

• The people involved, including the team and other stakeholders.

All add to the complexity of these so-called "soft" skills, which are actually the hardest to learn and master. 

There is almost no way to prepare for the variations of issues a project manager will face except integrity, thoughtfulness, and experience.

Certifications may not be better because they indicate your skill level. But they instead allow you to work toward your personal and professional gaps. The very act of learning is part of the journey. Learning helps you become more capable of dealing with new viewpoints, information, and approaches.

Good advice for any new or seasoned Project Manager or team member: 

• Grow your skills sets

• Know where the industry or market is going

• Keep yourself relevant 

No matter the Certification, becoming a Project Manager isn't the finish line. It is the start.  

So what did you think of this summary? Anything to add? If so, please add to the conversation in the comments below.

Also, if you found this information, please give it a like.

As a Project Manager since 1995 and a PMI Certified PMP since 2006, I am interested in what I learned during certification research. My goal is to take 2 more certifications this summer - which do you think I should take?  

Please comment below - and Thank You for reading and adding your voice to the conversation!