Do you want to learn everything about PMI certification? In this article, we explain what it is, what it's used for, and how to get it.
Updates to PMI Certification
Although it may seem hard to believe, the Project Management Institute It was founded more than 50 years ago, in 1969, with the goal of standardizing generally accepted practices in the project management and, in the late 1980s, published the first edition of what remains to this day the world's most important guide to project leadership and management, the PMBOK. The PMI Certification It has been recognized as a standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) since 1998, and the release of its seventh edition is currently expected.
What is PMI certification, and what is it for?
PMI Certification It is the most important certification in project management, and it is a global title which certifies the ability to both lead and coordinate work teams and projects. These types of certifications are useful internationally, so it doesn't matter where they are obtained, since The validity is the same.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading organization in the field of project management. Therefore, its training programs are a guarantee for professionals in the sector, as they serve to demonstrate expertise in the field. In addition, PMI certification allows managers of projects to build confidence and advance their professional careers.
How do I get PMI certification?
To achieve a PMI certification Professionals must have obtained a high school diploma, as well as 5 years of experience in project management. Alternatively, the position may also be open to candidates who have a college degree requiring 4 or more years of study and 3 years of experience. To earn this degree, you must a 35-hour training course, or have obtained the CAPM certification.
To take the exam, applicants may appear in person at the Madrid or Barcelona offices, or in its online format. The test lasts 4 hours and consists of with 200 questions. To access the exam, you must submit an application on the official PMI website, and the agency will be responsible for reviewing it. Once it has been accepted, the documentation must be submitted to verify education and experience. Once the application has been approved, the agency grants a period of one year to complete the questionnaire.
PMBOK Updates
With each new edition of the PMBOK, the goal is to update practices and methodologies so that they can adapt to the constantly changing needs and types of projects that professionals in the field will face. The changes made in each edition are based on feedback and experiences from project managers around the world, so that the standards set forth therein reflect as comprehensive a perspective as possible.
This new edition will focus more on principles than on processes. Instead of addressing the processes in detail with their inputs, tools, techniques, and outputsYes, it describes the most specific and effective way to carry out project management. The goal is for this to serve as a useful guide regardless of the approach or methodology chosen for a given project.
PMI Certification: Types of Certifications
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is responsible for certifying, in accordance with international standards, professionals around the world who work in project management, through various Types of Certifications In various areas of project management, the most popular are undoubtedly:
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP certification It is the most important certification in project management to date and attests not only to management experience but also to proficiency in the common language and tools used by professionals in this field. Anyone who meets the following requirements and passes the certification exam is eligible for the certification:
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- High school diploma (high school, technical school, or its global equivalent)
- 7,500 hours leading and managing projects
- 35 hours of training in project management
- Four-Year Bachelor's Degree
- 4,500 hours leading and managing projects
- 35 hours of training in project management
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
Around the world, these measures are increasingly being adopted “Agile” methodologies” in project management, as they have demonstrated excellent results in responding to market dynamics, based on techniques Scrum, Kanban, Read, Extreme Programming (XP) and Test-Driven Development (TDD). To be certified in these methodologies, a professional must have:
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- 2,000 hours of general project experience, working in teams. A PMP certification® will meet this requirement, but it is not required to apply for the PMI-ACP.
- 1,500 hours of experience working on agile project teams or using agile methodologies. This requirement is in addition to the 2,000 hours of general project experience.
- 21 hours of training in agile practices.
Why Get PMI Certified?
Any of the certifications offered by the Project Management Institute, are recognized worldwide, and a testament to best practices and experience gained in the project management sector, which is a fairly broad field that is expected to offer excellent opportunities for professional growth. According to the PMI, Employers around the world will need to fill nearly 2.2 million positions project-oriented per year, through 2027. Therefore, it is essential to be certified as Project Manager to compete for the best opportunities.
Changes to the Exam in 2020
2020 has been an unusual year that has brought several changes to PMI certifications, partly due to the updates included in the seventh edition of the PMBOK, but mainly because As of April 14, 2020, the online format has been adopted to take the exam for each PMI certification, In other words, it's possible to prepare for and take the exam without leaving home. The exam is divided into two parts, with a 10-minute break in between; after the break, you cannot return to the first part.
As for the topics covered on the new exam for PMI certification, it is known that the 50% exam questions will focus on the Agile work philosophy and its practices—namely, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), and Test-Driven Development (TDD). Therefore, it will not be enough to study only the PMBOK standard (which will continue to be part of the 50% exam), as that alone will be insufficient; you will need to supplement it with other content, such as the Agile Practice Guide published by PMI and the Agile Alliance.
