No matter what your IT role, a project management certification can add value to your role. Here are the highest project management certifications, their requirements, and cost. Behind every successful IT project, you will find a highly skilled project manager. From hardware and software upgrades to ongoing security patches, to application development and therefore the rollout of the software itself, project managers keep your teams on task and productive.
Almost any IT pro can enjoy adding a project management certification to their list of IT credentials, showing you've got the know-how to plan, schedule, budget, execute, deliver and then report on IT initiatives. Here, the outline of the foremost popular project management certifications which will add value and assist you to hone your skills this year.
Top project management certifications
- Associate in Project Management
- BVOP Certified Project Manager
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified Project Director
- Certified Project Management Practitioner (CPMP)
- Certified Project Manager (CPM)
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- CompTIA Project+
- Master Project Manager (MPM)
- PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Professional in Project Management (PPM)
- Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Associate in Project Management
The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), which administers the Associate in Project Management (APM) — also as knowledgeable in Project Management and a licensed Project Director certification — may be a global, not-for-profit certification body that gives credentials across a spread of IT specialties. The GAQM's project management certifications are focused on a broad knowledge domain and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to vary, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The APM program is designed for the entry-level project manager, or for those who want to start a career in the field.
BVOP Certified Project Manager
Business value-oriented principles (BVOP) may be a newer, agile-based framework growing in popularity within the U.K. BVOP emphasizes the business value in all project management activities and practices. The BVOP Certified Project Manager is for senior practitioners with experience in both project management and other people management. The focus on a people-oriented culture sets it apart from other project management certification programs.
The BVOP approach helps to develop professionals’ collaboration skills, and candidates for certification gain, not only project and product management skills, but also learn to become more people-focused leaders. The exam includes questions from the project management, program management, and merchandise management sections of the course materials.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Certified Associate in Project Management is that the precursor to the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (see below). For professionals without a college degree, or with only rudimentary project management experience, or those who want to achieve their PMP certification in steps rather than all at once, the CAPM is a stepping-stone to the more rigorous PMP.
Certified Project Director
The GAQM's Certified Project Director certification is that the credentialing body's highest-level project management certification. This designation is designed for experienced project managers who are involved in directing multiple, complex projects and programs. The program focuses on managing, budgeting, and determining the scope for multiple projects, multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating interdependent risks to deliver projects successfully. The CDP program is merely for those that have significant project management experience.
Requirements: GAQM body of data study and e-course; candidates must be conversant in principles and methodologies of project management and pass the Professional in Project Management (PPM) or equivalent exam (see below).
Certified Project Management Practitioner (CPMP)
The EC-Council was formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to address issues of cyberterrorism and the information security of nations at large. The EC-Council's Certified Project Management Practitioner course is for project managers who want to benchmark their skills through hands-on experience and across various management techniques and tools necessary to successfully manage complex projects efficiently. The objective of the CPMP course is to feature value to management professionals by developing managerial, leadership, and technical skills required to form any project, small or complex, a success.
Certified Project Manager (CPM)
The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) may be a global association and certification body focused on the project management profession. There are four levels of certification within the IAPM, split into two disciplines, traditional project management, and agile project management: Certified Junior Project Manager and authorized Junior Agile Project Manager; Certified Project Manager and authorized Agile Project Manager; Certified Senior Project Manager and authorized Senior Agile Project Manager, and authorized International Project Manager. IAPM’s Certified Project Manager certification is for candidates with a foundational knowledge of project management, including the fundamentals of designing, organization, and implementation of varied projects. The exam covers both the hard and soft aspects of project management.
Requirements: None, but IAPM offers workshops through global training partners, or recommended literature for self-study. Candidates also can take a self-test to benchmark their knowledge.
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
The use of agile methodologies has become standard, so it isn't surprising that IT practitioners uniquely qualified to manage projects in agile environments are in high demand. While there are different Scrum master certifications available, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance may be a great springboard for project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners. The Scrum Alliance, which offers this credential, maybe a nonprofit organization that encourages the adoption of Scrum and agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts quite 450,000 certified practitioners worldwide.
Requirements: General familiarity with Scrum; completion of two-day CSM training course
CompTIA Project+
This entry-level certification is roughly on par with PMI's CAPM credential (above), though the wants are less stringent. CompTIA's Project+ solicits feedback from the computing industry, government representatives, research institutions, academia, and independent experts to style the certification.
Requirements: One year of experience managing, directing, or participating in small- to medium-size projects is suggested.
Master Project Manager (MPM)
The American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) has modeled the Master Project Manager (MPM) after the "professional licensure" model that a lot of professions like pilots, engineers, doctors, and lawyers follow. The AAPM focuses on professional project managers, but also includes professionals with business and technical management responsibilities.
Requirements: Three years of project management experience and training; waivers available for professionals holding an academic degree, with other qualified training and knowledge, the military or project management instructors
PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner
Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is most well-known outside the U.S., especially within the U.K. and its government entities. The PRINCE2 certifications are delivered by the ILX Group and specialize in directing, managing, and delivering projects across all phases, pre-project, initiation, delivery, and final delivery.
There are two primary qualifications, PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. The Foundation certification is an entry-level credential that tests basic project management terminology and methodology, whereas the Practitioner certification tests advanced project managers who have already achieved PRINCE2 Foundation.
Requirements: PRINCE2 Foundation: PRINCE2 Foundation course; PRINCE2 Practitioner: one among the following: PRINCE2 Foundation, Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, or an IPMA certification
Professional in Project Management (PPM)
The Professional in Project Management (PPM) maybe a mid-tier project management credential from the GAQM. The GAQM's project management certifications are focused on a broad knowledge domain and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to vary, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The PPM is targeted towards intermediate to experienced project managers who are involved in risk and crisis management, and who are involved within the day-to-day management of projects.
Requirements: GAQM body of data study and e-course; no formal education or experience requirements, but candidates should have a minimum of some project management experience to pass the exam.
Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)
The EC-Council’s Project Management in IT Security (PMITS) explores the complexities of managing an IT security project. The certification helps candidates reinforce their existing project management skills while tailoring them to the unique requirements of implementing and managing IT security within their organizations.
Requirements: a minimum of two years of experience in information security and academic background that shows attention on security (bachelor's degree or higher preferred); candidates can also prefer to attend an EC-Council training program before attempting an exam.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The gold standard in project management certifications, the Project Management Professional certification may be a rigorous test that covers absolutely everything you would like to prove your knowledge and skill in managing the "triple constraints": time, cost, and scope. The PMI is that this credential's parent organization, and works continuously with businesses and academia to make sure relevant for the certification.
For more about the PMP, and tips on how to pass it, see “PMP certification: How to ace the Project Management Professional exam.”
Organization: Project Management Institute
Price: Computer-based exams: $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members; paper-based exams: $250 for PMI members, $400 for non-members
Requirements: Four-year secondary degree plus three years of project management experience, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours project management education; or a high-school diploma, five years of project management experience, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education
Additional project management certificates
Many colleges and universities offer project management certificates through their existing business, management, or professional education schemes. Schools like Villanova, University of latest Haven, Stanford University et al. (check your local college or university's course offerings) have excellent project management programs and certificates. There are also IT vendor-specific project management certifications available, like the Microsoft Project Certification. Requirements and prices vary based on institution.