As businesses adapt to changing times and discover the new possibilities available through advanced technology, the project management professional (PMP) is becoming a key position. Because so many businesses network and outsource in order to reduce costs, the
project management professional is essential in creating success for projects of relatively limited duration. By receiving the PMP certification, you can increase your marketability in the management field. This certification can open doors in many venues from product-based companies to technological businesses.
What is a Project Management Professional (PMP)?
The project management professional oversees a project from its inception to its completion. The PMP is responsible for managing money, time and personnel such that a project is able to meet the proposed deadline and stay true to the original budget. Project managers fill their days with meetings, emails and phone calls, as do other managers, but they do not oversee ongoing business objectives, such as the budget of a department—they stay focused on the project.
Each aspect of a project can create challenges. In the first place, the goal has to be established, and this goal needs to strike the balance between creating sizeable progress and abiding by realistic standards. The goal-setting process may also require significant networking within a company in order to satisfy the needs of various departments. In terms of managing time and money, there are always unexpected variables which could delay the completion of a project, but the project management professional has the job of dealing with such variables and moving the project forward such that both the schedule and budget are maintained.
Why is the PMP Important Today?
The Project Management Institute provides credentials in the PMP field and is globally recognized; membership in PMI has vastly grown since the late 90's to the present. This shows that more and more businesses are perceiving the PMP as a crucial addition to the overall work environment. This could be a natural result of the changing landscape of business due to advanced technology.
Businesses are shifting from the long-accepted hierarchical structure to less uniform structures which allow for more rapid adjustments to the needs of consumers and networking partners. In a time when smaller teams with focused goals allow a company to gain an edge in the market, the project management professional has swiftly become a critical player on the scene.
Where Can I Work with a PMP Certification?
Many differing businesses are looking for those with PMP certification—from medical centers to mainstream businesses to IT groups. Positions can range widely from those which focus on operations to those that focus on information. For instance, a large company may have need for a project management professional to oversee expansion projects. These projects may entail careful budgeting, allocation of resources and meetings with lead managers in order to oversee large numbers of people.
In many high-tech companies, the focus is on launching new products ahead of competitors. In this case the project management professional may remain more occupied with planning the project such that there is time for technicians to troubleshoot problems. The PMP may also plan and manage the launch process. While in the past, this position was often adopted by someone on a team and lacked a clear title, these days the PMP certification is increasingly included as a requirement in job listings.
What are the PMP Certification Requirements?
There are two sets of requirements for PMP certification which accommodate differing backgrounds. You can have a four-year degree (a bachelor's degree or an international equivalent of this) and a minimum of 3 years of project management experience that includes 4,500 hours of leading projects. For those who do not have the 4 year degree, at least 5 years of project management experience with 7,500 hours of leading projects is required. Both options additionally require 35 hours of project management education.
Becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP)
The future for a project management professional is looking bright. Since this career designation is relatively new and yet highly popular on the corporate scene, the prospects are great for securing employment and moving up within a company. PMP certification is becoming the rule these days, and this helps the position to gain in prestige. Many varied businesses need project management professionals: this career path holds intriguing possibilities.
Posts
