Best PMI Certificates in 2022

Project management campaigns conducted by project managers with PMI certificates have ever-greater chances of success. It will be a confirmation of your skills and knowledge level and make it easier to cooperate with clients. When we look at the statistics on project management, it turns out that even 70% of them fail. 17% of IT projects are carried out so poorly that they threaten the condition and future of the enterprise. In that case, are there any certificates in project management that would give a greater chance for an undertaking to succeed? Of course, there are. One of them is using project management tools – software that allows you to keep your finger on the pulse and control time, budget, and progress.

PMI Certificates from Project Management Institute's

For people who do not have contact with project management, PMI may be a completely unknown notion. Nevertheless, every self-respecting PM should be aware that this organization exists because it consociates almost 3 million specialists worldwide and has over 500 thousand active members in its ranks. The institution dates back to 1969. In 1996, the first version of the Project Management Body of Knowledge was created, which is a project management standard developed and published by PMI. In 1998, the PMBOK Guide received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute and has been functioning as the project management standard in the US territory ever since. The Project Management Institute publishes many free guides and textbooks that are worth looking at because they contain really valuable content.

Why is it worth obtaining a PMI certificate?

As reported by Wrike, 80% of projects of high priority are conducted by certified project managers. PMI informs us that 77% of high-performing companies are aware of just how important it is to have someone with such qualifications in the team. This is mainly because, on the one hand, the certificate confirms the knowledge and skills of its holder and, on the other hand, it is a kind of pass giving access to more orders and higher earnings.

Which certificate to choose depends on our competencies and whether we meet several requirements regarding our knowledge, experience, and past training. Of course, receiving a certificate involves a fee that we have to pay. The following certificates can be found on the Project Management Institute’s website:

• One of the basic certificates, which is recognized worldwide, is Project Management Professional (PMP). It confirms the competence of a given person as a project manager who can professionally lead and manage project teams. Who can apply for this document? People who graduated from high school, have 7500 hours of documented experience in running projects on their account and 35 hours of PM training. The document can also be granted to people who have a bachelor's degree, have 4500 hours of documented experience in running projects, and have 35 hours of PM training.

• Program Management Professional (PgMP) - aimed at those who manage a large number of complex projects to achieve strategic and organizational goals. As we can read on the website, it is intended for people who manage a lot of related projects and complex activities, including functions, institutions, regions, or cultures, to adjust them for organizational purposes. The certificate can be obtained by people who have completed high school, and have 6000 hours of documented experience in running projects and 10500 hours of experience in program management. People who have a bachelor's degree and 6000 hours in the above fields can also apply for it.

• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) - aimed at senior managers who manage a portfolio of projects and programs by the organization's strategy while focusing on proper work performance.8 years of professional experience, higher education, and 10500 hours of task portfolio management are required. People with a bachelor's degree and 6000 hours can apply as well.

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)—directed at people who would like to start working on larger projects and need their first certificate but do not have the necessary experience. People who graduated from high school and have at least 1500 hours of experience in running projects can apply for the document. It can also be obtained by people who have passed the Project Management Basics exam.

• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) - designed for project managers and business analysts.Requirements: high school, 7,500 documented hours of work in business analysis, and 35 hours of lessons in that field. For people with a bachelor's degree, it is 4,500 hours of experience and 35 hours of lessons.

• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) - an excellent certification for those who specialize in Agile project management.Requirements: 2000 hours of project work in a team, 1500 hours of Agile implementations, and 21 hours of learning or professional training in the Agile methodology.

• PMI Risk Management Professional—directed at experienced managers of project risk. High school, 4,500 of experience in project risk management, and 40 hours of training in that scope are required. For people with a bachelor's degree, it requires 3000 hours of experience and 30 hours of training.

• PMI Scheduling Professional – the last, but not least, of the certificates, one of interest to people who manage and maintain the project schedule.Expectations: high school, 5000 hours of experience in project schedule management, and 40 hours of training in that scope. For people with a bachelor's degree, it requires 3500 hours of experience and 30 hours of training.

Every certificate is obtained after sitting a test, the length of which depends on the chosen certificate. In addition, the certificates are not issued for life but for a specific period. For example, we have three years to obtain professional development units (PDUs) after the document is issued. PDUs are obtained by participation in conferences, training, meetings, seminars, and other events.

Why is it worth it?

Although it is not cheap to obtain a PMI certificate, as it requires work and experience, it is worth thinking about. The document shows your employer or your client that you are a specialist in your field and that you keep improving your competence. The meetings and conferences, which force you to actively look for knowledge, are very good motivators. Furthermore, specialists with PMI certificates can demand higher pay for their work, participate in more interesting projects, and, most importantly, have the freedom to choose where and with whom they will work.