Kapcsolat
With current growth trends, there will be a need for approximately 16 million more project managers internationally by 2030. The importance of this role cannot be overstated, as high-quality project management is essential for maintaining production levels in any factory or plant. Project management is a multifaceted profession, and significant differences can exist between project managers. Therefore, a well-established certification system is necessary to differentiate various levels of expertise.
In the latest episode of the PMO Club podcast, we thoroughly examined two such certification systems. The guests were András Vikár and András Luczay.
Both guests are experts in their fields, and the following discussion highlights the insights from the podcast.
If you are a project manager, your first and most important question is likely why you should invest time and energy into these two certification systems. From an employer’s perspective, these certification systems represent a mindset, experience, and knowledge, making them a valuable first filter in the selection process. Additionally, certification requirements can also come from the supplier side. Notably, there can be a 15-30% salary difference between those with and without PMP certification.
As of 2022, there were 380,000 active IPMA certifications worldwide. In Hungary, there are currently 247 certified project managers, with nearly half having completed the D level certification.
The International Project Management Association (IPMA) defines the certifications. Within IPMA, the Certification Board is responsible for defining the standards and processes for certifications. Additionally, the ICR (International Certification Regulations) and ICB (Individual Competence Baseline) are essential, as they define the certification processes and competence base evaluated during certification.
The IPMA certification system has four levels and three domains:
IPMA exams do not primarily assess theoretical knowledge. They measure how well project managers can apply the tools they have learned in practice. Three competencies are always evaluated:
Expectations and examination methods vary by level. Unlike PMI exams, IPMA exams include multiple-choice questions supplemented by essays and interviews.
To take the IPMA D level exam, no specific prerequisites are required beyond a resume and self-assessment. For the C level, project experience must be demonstrated, including a project list and references. Levels B and A require five years of experience. Certifications are valid for five years, and renewal requires retaking the exam and proving the last five years’ projects. Upgrades are not currently possible; only existing expired certifications can be renewed.
There are currently 16.5 million project managers globally, with 680,000 registered PMI members. The PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, held by 1.4-1.5 million project managers, is the clear star of the PMI certifications. About 15% of the total project management market holds PMI and IPMA certifications. The market has grown steadily over the past few years, with over two million participants annually, and this trend is expected to continue.
PMI offers eight core certifications and four additional ones. The PMP certification, one of the top 10 business certifications internationally, is the most prominent. The system also includes sub-certifications and a recently developed certification based on agile methodology.
Certifications can model career paths and are aligned with specific fields, such as business analysis and program and portfolio management.
PMI exams also aim to assess practical knowledge. The exams are typically test-based, with multiple-choice questions focused on project situations. People management competencies make up 42% of PMI exams.
To take the PMP exam, a project manager needs 36 months of project management experience and 35 contact hours of preparation or a university course in project management. While official preparation is available, it is not mandatory.
The PMP certification is valid for three years, during which participants must collect PDUs (Professional Development Units) by attending additional courses and webinars.
A good project manager should inherently have strong organizational and analytical skills. Nowadays, social competencies are even more crucial than in the past. Certification is not everything, as the right attitude is also indispensable. One can be adept at overseeing and managing a system without formal certification. However, the certifications obtained from PMI and IPMA have several positive aspects that can be beneficial.
The two certification systems are distinct and assess different competencies. They are not rivals but rather complementary to each other.
"*" indicates required fields
