Is Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Worthwhile

If you work in the IT industry, and want to maximise your earning potential project management jobs, are the ones that you must go after. Typically, project managers earn more than anybody else in the IT industry does.

In addition, they tend to have the best job security and pension deals. However, understandably, there is a lot of competition for these roles. Last year, over 14% of IT professionals took some kind of project management training course in an effort to improve their chances of securing one of these lucrative roles. This means that there is a relatively large group of experienced IT professionals with at least some formal project management qualifications.

Not all Project Management Qualifications Carry the Same Weight

However, unfortunately some of these qualifications are not highly regarded within the business community. If you are serious about securing a project management role by far the best qualification to go for are those underwritten by the Project Management Institute (PMI). IT managers with the relevant PMI project management certification can easily command salaries of between -£70,000 and -£100,000.

Why PMI?

PMI certification is globally accepted and highly regarded in most countries. This means that it is easy for you to secure work both in your own country and abroad. Having so much choice considerably improves your chances of securing a project management position.

Types of PMI Certification

The most common PMI certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP). People with this qualification will have the necessary qualifications to run a tightly focused project and team.

For more complex roles, such as those a multi-national company may offer, the Program Management Professional (PgMP) is the most sought after one. This qualification is designed to equip a project manager who will be running multiple IT project teams in multiple disciplines with the right skills.

There are several other PMI certifications, each of which are relevant to a different area of IT. The best way to establish which qualification it is best for you to take is to go online and visit IT job boards. Narrow your search down to those roles that you are particularly interested in. By looking at which qualifications are being asked for on those job adverts you can quickly establish which course to take.

Other Qualifications

However, it is important to realise that simply acquiring a string of project management qualifications is not enough. In order to work as an IT project manager you first need to have worked in the field of information technology. You will need to demonstrate to prospective employers that you have a good understanding of the technology you will be working with. Therefore, it is important to continue to update your basic IT skills a well. Doing so will enable you to manage more effectively and to understand any issues that your team throws up.

Even when you have secured a project management role it is important to continually update your qualifications. Regardless of what level you work at within the IT industry standing still is not an option. The IT world is a complex and evolving one, so those that standstill will soon be left behind.

Thomas Green is an IT professional who has had several project management jobs. He now recruits for a major IT company, so understands the skills needed by a project manager.