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How to Become a Certified Project Manager?
The field of project management and the critical role of a project manager has been widely recognized and gaining traction in recent times. Project management has hence become a vital component of an organization that ensures the on-time completion of a project limited to the project’s budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders. As the demand for trained professionals increases in the field, candidates are seeking certification as a way to stand out in the field and demonstrate their expertise.
Certification in project management has the potential to open up new career opportunities for professionals which in turn increases their earning potential and provides validation of one's skills and knowledge.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Project Manager?
There are several paths to becoming a certified project manager. The general and common steps to becoming a certified project manager are as follows −
Identify the certification you want to pursue − The first step to becoming a certified project manager is to identify what certification to gain. There are several project management certification programs to choose from, for example, the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)® and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification.
Meet the eligibility requirements − Each certification program has its own eligibility requirements, such as work experience, education, and professional development units (PDUs). Once the certification is chosen, the eligibility should be checked and verified. You should make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements before you start preparing for the certification exam.
Prepare for the certification exam − Once both steps are completed, you need to approach the obvious step of preparing for the exam. You can choose between several resources available to help you prepare for the certification exam, such as study guides, practice exams, and online courses.
Take the certification exam − Upon feeling confident of the preparation you have done, register for and take the certification exam.
Maintain your certification − Oftentimes, getting a certificate is not the end of your certification journey. Many project management programs require you to complete a certain number of PDUs or continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain your certification. Be sure to understand the requirements and maintain the certification through a thorough plan.
Few Studies Guide to Refer to During Your Exam Preparation
To be well prepared, you should invest in a good study guide. There are several good and useful study guides available for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exams offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. Here are a few books to consider −
PMI's PMP® Exam Prep, Ninth Edition − This study guide is published by PMI and is based on the PMI Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). It provides different types of learning resources like practice questions, a 200-question practice exam, and exam tips.
PMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide, Tenth Edition − Published by John Wiley & Sons, this study guide includes a practice exam with over 1,000 questions, as well as exam tips and strategies.
CAPM® Exam Simplified, Fifth Edition − This study guide is published by Simplilearn and includes a practice exam with over 400 questions along with exam tips and strategies.
PMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide, Eleventh Edition − This study guide is also published by John Wiley & Sons and provides a practice exam with over 1,000 questions, as well as exam tips and strategies.
A Few Tips That Will Help You in Your Journey to Becoming a Certified Project Manager
Apart from choosing and using a good study guide, there are a few other tips that you should consider on your journey to becoming a certified project manager −
Understand the certification process − It is important that to be sure that you understand the certification process for the certification you are pursuing including the eligibility requirements, the exam content, and the requirements for maintaining your certification.
Determine your learning style − Identify your learning style along with choosing the study materials and resources that match your style.
Create a study plan − Develop a study plan by setting aside a certain amount of time each day or week to study, break down the exam content into manageable chunks, and set short-term and long-term goals that keep you motivated.
Use a variety of study materials − Relying on just one study material can sometimes be the wrong strategy. Try and use a combination of study guides, practice exams, online courses, and other resources to help you prepare for the exam.
Practice, practice, practice − Practice is the most critical strategy that could make or break your efforts. Use practice exams and other resources to better understand the types of questions that will be on the exam and to improve your test-taking skills.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Project Manager?
Becoming a certified project manager comes with several benefits such as
Improved credibility and recognition − The certification that demonstrates your knowledge and skills to effectively manage projects increases your credibility and recognition within organizations.
Enhanced career opportunities − Organisations prefer to hire or promote individuals with recognized project management certification hence certification will help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Increased earning potential − Surveys suggests that certified project managers tend to earn up to 20% more on average than non-certified project managers.
Improved project performance − Organisations with certified project managers tend to have better project outcomes as they have a solid foundation in project management best practices that can be applied to achieve project success.
Personal development − Earning a certificate sets you up for a journey to continuously improve your skills and knowledge.
What Are a Few of the Advanced Career Opportunities for a Certified Project Manager?
As discussed, certification opens up a variety of career opportunities a few of which are discussed below −
Project Manager − As a project manager, you will work in a role that leads project teams to achieve project objectives within time and budget constraints and work in a variety of industries.
Program Manager − As a program manager, you will work in a role that coordinates and oversees multiple related projects to achieve strategic business objectives.
Portfolio Manager − As a portfolio manager, you will work in a role that manages the portfolio of projects and programs to achieve the desired business outcomes.
Consultant − As a consultant, you will work in a role that helps organizations improve their project management practices
Trainer or coach − As a coach, you will work in a role where you teach project management skills or provide coaching and mentoring to project managers.
Conclusion
Conclusively, certification in project management is a valuable asset in the current job market as it demonstrates your knowledge and skills in project management and also opens up new career opportunities. By following the steps discussed above, you can become certified and enhance your career to stand out in the field and also improve job prospects while also becoming more effective in the project manager role you take on.
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