Becoming a Certified Project Manager

The Project Management Professional certification is a popular, internationally recognized certification among information technology professionals. It has been considered one of the top ten best certifications to get in industry media making it a great addition to any IT professional’s resume. With over 400,000 project managers certified for PMP world wide, it is obviously a popular and well recognized cert which can help one's career immensely.

There has been a big surge in the number of contractors and freelancers working in information technology. Freelancers or contractors are a popular option for smaller companies who don't need or can't afford an in house information technology team. As a result, many contractors and freelancers have filled the void, taking on clients who need work on a project by project basis. Certifications are a well known indicator to clients who are less connected or, in some cases completely clueless, that the certificate holder is a professional and can handle the task. For that reason, the PMP certificate is especially popular with IT professionals who freelance, run their own company or work as contractors.

One of the benefits of the PMP certification in particular is the fact that it is a management certificate. IT project managers require a special skill set, but more importantly they are higher up on the pay grade and possessing a PMP cert can help you get there. Not only do project managers need to be knowledgeable in the various technical aspects of the project in question, but they also need to be able to see it from an organizational and business view point so that it is executed the right way within the appropriate time frame.

Project Management Professional course material is broken down into many sections. The primary framework consists of 5 major “process groups” of project management. Each process group opens up into more sections which have to be mastered to successfully complete the PMP exam.

Although the PMI exam is challenging, acquiring a PMP certification is a great way to enhance your resume. It can often be the extra edge on top of a degree that can get a job candidate the position. A key advantage of the PMP certification, again, is its worldwide recognition. Companies all over the world know the value of having a Project Management Professional on board. IT professionals and they’re hiring counterparts realize the value of a PMP certified manager and there are many who look for certificate holders in particular. It is a great way for employees in the IT world to further their education and career, and employers recognize it too.