Project Management Certifications
Project Management Certifications are qualifications that certify that a professional has the requisite knowledge and experience in delivering a project effectively. It involves the use of methods, knowledge, skills, processes and experience in executing project deliverables and objectives. Project is a temporary organisation set up to deliver products or sets of product at an agreed business case. Therefore, a project is any endeavour that has a specific beginning and a specific end. Projects are change elements in an organisation as they are different from ‘business as usual’.
Project Management Certifications are evidences that a professional can start a project and also end a project. Every project is unique in itself that this why a good understanding of it is required in order to manage it.
There are two major Project Management Certifications in the world. These Project management certifications are:
- PRINCE2: PRINCE2 is the short for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It originated from the UK. PRINCE2 is coordinated by AXELOS and APMG is an accrediting body. PRINCE2 is a project management certification that uses a process-based approach in managing projects. It involves the use of step-by-step approach in delivering project objectives. PRINCE2 can be said to be centred on ‘how’ to manage a project.
- PMP (Project management Professional): PMP originated from the USA. The certification is coordinated by Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP validates the experience that a professional has in managing a project successfully. PMP can be said to be centred on ‘what’ project management is about (PMBoK)
However, PRINCE2 and PMP cannot be said to be better that one another. These Certifications are not competitive; but rather complementary. A full-fledged project manager needs the two Certifications.
There are other certifications which are related; these certifications are listed below:
Investment in Project Management Certifications will yield a couple of benefits to organisations and individuals in the following areas:
- It leads to increased chances of project success;
- It leads to more efficient use of resources;
- It increases confidence in managing projects;
- It helps to satisfy the varied needs of the project’s stakeholders;
- It increases your employability as project managers are in demand, anywhere in the world
- It reduces waste in terms of money and materials