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Jul 27
2010
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Is Certification Losing Value?Posted by TyKiisel in project managment, PMI, certification   |
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I was reading the PapercutPM's blog last week and came across his article titled Is the PMP Losing its Value. Citing other articles written by Kareem Shaker and Derek Huether, Geoff suggest that there are some "certified" project managers who shouldn't really be anywhere near a project. I have to agree, I've known a few project managers (certified and otherwise), who shouldn't be managing projects myself.However, I don't think I'm ready to say the PMI's certification is irrelevant quite yet.
Regardless of the industry, certification doesn't necessarily indicate proficiency in the discipline, but rather a successful completion of a particular course of study, followed by the completion of a test. I've known very successful college graduates that don't have a "real" understanding of what they've learned until they've had some experience in the workforce. I wonder if the same could be said for the PMI's certification.
I've known very capable PMI certified project managers—but I know just as many "accidental" project managers, who are incredible project leaders. Certification is not a guarantee that your newly hired project manager will be the "perfect" project manager for your organization, anymore than an engineering degree from the local University will guarantee that your newly hired engineer will be up to the job either.
Should certification be the determining factor when interviewing a potential project manager for hire? I don't think so. However, that's not to say that it shouldn't be a consideration.
I'm a believer that any capable leader can learn how to successfully manage project-based work. That being said, would the training required to earn the PMI's certification provide value to a project manager? Possibly.
Geoff brings up a number of questions regarding the PMI and other "for profit" organizations that provide certification, and questions whether certification provides any appreciable value. However, I believe the burden of demonstrating the value of any certification rests within the certification body, in this case the PMI. For those of us who would like to see the professional status of project managers increase (and I would assume the PMI would want to be included in the group), I would like to see the PMI publicly demonstrate how their certification provides value to our profession and what they are doing within the industry to promote the professional image of project managers to industry.
Feel free to share your thoughts.
Comments (2)
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written by Candice, July 27, 2010
The biggest problem with certifications is that they are used as a measuring stick for knowledge in the industry.
Most clients and recruiters hiring IT professionals are asking for certifications as a way to ensure the candidate has the wherewithall to accomplish the required tasks. Why are companies and recruiters using certifications as a measuring stick?
Because most recruiters, HR and executive managers do not have a clue about IT or PM or most things tech.
This is the tradgedy in the industry while IT people feverishly stuggle to keep up with the latest technologies the companies and people who work for them to hire and train employees do not have even a working knowledge about IT and how to get projects to roll out.
Finally, these measuring sticks we call certifications are like our colleges the companies creating the curiculium for certification in most cases
Do not have the real world experience and knowledge to know if what they are espousing really works.
The gap in IT between education/certificaton and experience widens and companies rely on professional hiring companies, and trainers to navigate the canyons.
Unfortunately, neither know how.
Most clients and recruiters hiring IT professionals are asking for certifications as a way to ensure the candidate has the wherewithall to accomplish the required tasks. Why are companies and recruiters using certifications as a measuring stick?
Because most recruiters, HR and executive managers do not have a clue about IT or PM or most things tech.
This is the tradgedy in the industry while IT people feverishly stuggle to keep up with the latest technologies the companies and people who work for them to hire and train employees do not have even a working knowledge about IT and how to get projects to roll out.
Finally, these measuring sticks we call certifications are like our colleges the companies creating the curiculium for certification in most cases
Do not have the real world experience and knowledge to know if what they are espousing really works.
The gap in IT between education/certificaton and experience widens and companies rely on professional hiring companies, and trainers to navigate the canyons.
Unfortunately, neither know how.
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I think you commentary is spot on. The burden of demonstrating the value of any certification rests within the certification body, in this case the PMI.
Unfortunately, I believe PMI is becoming a victim of its own marketing success. This year alone, new PMPs are averaging just under 4300 a month. Though there is an audit process in place, to verify if PMs really have the necessary education and experience to sit for the PMP exam, there are not enough auditors to do the job. They are overwhelmed by sheer numbers of applicants. Let's not forget the PMI is a for-profit organization. They want more members.
This paradox speaks to potential quality, not value. I think the PMI marketing department has won the war with hiring managers, leading them to believe the credential has value. What the PMI needs to do now is sell the (global) project management community on the quality of its credential. Until that happens, you'll have some people racing to the nearest boot camp to get a certification, not to learn best practices.
Best Regards,
Derek
http://thecriticalpath.info
http://pmprepflashcards.com