I've been a Project Manager for several years now (software implementation) and am trying to determine if getting my PMP would be a good idea or a great idea.

I figure, if nothing else, it would be cool to have that certification. It obviously could also help further my career and salary.

Those with the PMP -- what are your thoughts? Would you do it all over again?

I'm going to check to see if my employer will pay for it, too. That'd be cool.


ETA: I've got my undergrad

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Copefree,

Can't wait to see the replies to this question since there are two schools of thought on whether a PMP is even needed or even worth the time and effort or, the opposite. Certifications are never going to hurt in any case.

PMP is a certification which, as i understand it, needs to be renewed.

An MBA is a degree which doesn't expire.

I went with an MBA which focused on aviation and marketing.

I've been a senior project manager for many years (started with EDS over fifteen years ago, a large super regional bank prior to that, and work as a consultant now), have trained many PM's, and have dealt with PM's with and without PMP's. For a younger guy with limited experience running projects, I think a PMP is a good resume item to help get them into the job so they can actually learn what managing projects is really about. Unfortunately, its both time consuming and expensive, which is the reason most people forego it until they are employed by a company that will pick up at least part of the bill. For older guys who've been managing projects for a very long time, I think resume and reputation trumps the wall hanger. Additionally, having reviewed the program myself, I think PMI does a good job trying to teach people how to think, plan, and document in project terms. It does not however teach people how to deal with the reality of how projects occur. That only comes with experience.

Ultimately, great PM's are people who can built confidence, respect, and trust with their customers, and that is something that's really difficult to teach, especially if the prospective PM doesn't have the necessary personality traits. And in my experience, many do not.

It is a tool in your PM tool box but is not the end all be all PMI likes to make us think it is.

Does it stand out...yes but experience means more, is it better than Sigma six....depends on the Org but to me yes it is.

$3500 for a boot camp and test, is it worth it...yes I think it is

if I had not gotten promoted to Dir I would have got mine, I think an MBA makes more sense at the Exec level.

Where I am coming from...I have hired 20+ PMs in the last 6 years....PMP does not mean you hired a good PM as it only fully works in a perfect world...which telecom is not

Bigdeal states it well...beat me to it

Interesting.

I'm working on my MBA now. Will have enough GI Bill left over if PMP and Six Sigma programs accept those.

Good to know future options if I wanted to get into PM. I'm leaning towards consulting as my concentration for my MBA and I have extensive operations experience via the military but it's always good to have options.

Read the eligibility requirements.

If you routinely managed a bunch of small projects you probably won't meet the experience requirement.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Read the eligibility requirements.

If you routinely managed a bunch of small projects you probably won't meet the experience requirement.

My projects are 6-9 months a piece so they aren't necessarily small. But they aren't huge, either.

I've looked at the requirements. I meet all of them except the '35 hours of project management education' which is why people do the online classes to satisfy that.

It's a useful and somewhat necessary evil, IMO, depending upon your market and goals.

I generally detest such Certs, and consider most unnecessary and merely attempts to siphon cash and time from me, but it was easy, and a former employer paid for it, so...

As best as I can tell, it has since increased my options by about 10%, those few opportunities who literally require it without exception. Most don't care, IME.

I wouldn't spend much of my time and money on it, as I didn't *need* it, but...

I have been a PMP since 2005 and I have a Masters of Science in Project Management. I find the PMP most definitely worth it in my field of practice. When customers see that a PMP is running the project it sets us apart from our competition. The PMI PMBOK is in my opinion a spot on guide for cradle to grave PM practice. I do not run IT projects and it is a little depressing to see IT swolow up PMI and the world of PMPs.

quote:

Originally posted by mrw:
I have been a PMP since 2005 and I have a Masters of Science in Project Management. I find the PMP most definitely worth it in my field of practice. When customers see that a PMP is running the project it sets us apart from our competition. The PMI PMBOK is in my opinion a spot on guide for cradle to grave PM practice. I do not run IT projects and it is a little depressing to see IT swolow up PMI and the world of PMPs.

Curious. What type of projects (industry?) do you handle? Unfortunately I'm one of those IT PM's you referenced.

I think that an MBA is a very useful degree, but I also think that PMP is nearly table stakes if you are in project management. Plus, once you get it; it's very easy to keep. I did a boot camp in 2007 when I got mine, and I passed on the first attempt. I will tell you that the test is a large enough PITA that I'll never let my PMP lapse and have to take it again.

My company paid for my boot camp, PMI Membership and PMP Testing. . . so I thought it would be worth getting. And it has been really.

In my experience, it seems like most computer related (IT, software, etc) tend to favor the AGILE project management model. Given your profession that might be a better pursuit?

I earned my PMP cert in 2015. In my circumstance, I feel it helps me compete. I say that though as someone without a four year degree.

Some of the recent job postings I have seen that desire a PMP lead me to believe that the employer had very little knowledge of the certification. I liken it to someone wanting an accounting degree for someone to run a cash register at McDonalds.

I was busy as a consultant and found my work getting harder to get without the PMP.

It was being used by HR, as a screening tool.

No one without a PMP considered.

Easy to keep once you get it.

I also did the boot camp passed on the first try.

3 out of 9 passed in my boot camp.

Pretty typical I am told.

They all claim 90+ pass rate.

Counts the retakes as a pass.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:

quote:

Originally posted by mrw:
I have been a PMP since 2005 and I have a Masters of Science in Project Management. I find the PMP most definitely worth it in my field of practice. When customers see that a PMP is running the project it sets us apart from our competition. The PMI PMBOK is in my opinion a spot on guide for cradle to grave PM practice. I do not run IT projects and it is a little depressing to see IT swolow up PMI and the world of PMPs.

Curious. What type of projects (industry?) do you handle? Unfortunately I'm one of those IT PM's you referenced.

I run projects that are large industrial machinary projects. The equipment we supply involves thermal spray processes. We turnkey supply Thiollay equipment to customers around the world.