pmi qualifications and training explained

8/3/2019 PMI Qualifications and Training Explained

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Focus on Training Tel: 0845 450 6120 Web: www.focus-on-training.co.uk

PMI, PMP, CAPM, PgMP, PMI-SP, PMI-RMP and PMBOK are Trade Marks of Project Management Institute, IncMSP, PRINCE and PRINCE2 are Trade Marks of the Office of Government Commerce

2011 Focus on Training

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PMI QualificationsExplainedPMP & other Certifications from the Worlds Largest ProfessionalAssociation for Project Managers


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The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the worlds largest professional associationfor project managers. Membership is 425,000 and is growing at over 10% per annum.There are local organisations in 70 countries.

PMI has developed a series of unique certifications which distinguish highly experienced project managers who have made a commitment to continuing professionaldevelopment. These qualifications draw on the Project Management Body of Knowledge(PMBOKGuide) which is a distillation of project management best practice.

Many project managers are uncertain as to the relevance of the PMI credentials to theirown situation and there is often confusion as to how the training and certification

process works. This independent guide has been developed to help answer the morecommon questions that are regularly put to Focus.

Prepared by:

Steve TwineManaging Director Focus On Training

Version 1.04 July 2011

About:Focus on Training specialises in provision of Best Practice training within the fields of Project

Management and IT Service Management. A comprehensive range of PMI, APM, PRINCE2,

MSP, ISEB and ITIL courses from leading accredited training organisations can be booked

online:

www.focus-on-training.co.uk

With a network of over 50 high quality training partners Focus specialises in offering you the

widest choice of accredited Project and Programme Management courses in the UK, helping

you achieve Best Practice performance and certification as an individual or an organisation.

Steve Twine is Managing Director and leads the Project Management team at Focus. He has

deep experience of complex and high profile international projects within the automotiveindustry.

[email protected]


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Contents

1.About the PMI

1.1.The Worlds Largest Professional Association

1.2.More than Just a Certification

2.The PMI Body of Knowledge

2.1.Why PMBOK Guide?

2.2.Other Project Management Best Practice Guidance

3.PMI Qualification Structure

3.1.Both Academic and Practical Achievement

3.2.The Family of PMI Credentials

4.PMP Project Management Professional

4.1.Introduction

4.2.Eligibility

4.3.The PMP Exam

4.4.Maintaining Your PMP Credential

5.Other PMI Qualifications

5.1.CAPM - Certified Associate in Project Management

5.2.PgMP Program Management Professional

5.3.PMI-SP PMI Scheduling Professional

5.4.PMI-RMP PMI Risk Management Professional

6.PMI v APM v PRINCE2

7.FAQs

8.Finding and Booking your Course

9.Useful Sources of Additional Information


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1. About the PMI?

1.1 The Worlds Largest Professional Association

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the worlds largest professional association

for project managers. Membership is 425,000 and is growing at over 10% per annum.

There are local organisations (chapters) in 70countries. The PMI was founded in 1969

by working project managers and it continues as a not for profit organisation working

to advance the practice, science and profession of project management.

PMI in the UK was founded in 1995 and has approximately 3,000 members. The UK

Chapter operates its own website (www.pmi.org.uk) and provides many different

networking opportunities for like minded project professionals.

The PMI plays an important role in developing and documenting international best

practice for project management. In particular there are 11 global standards, andA

Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) which has sold 2

million copies.

There are also qualifications and professional development opportunities to help

business professional start, build or advance their careers in project, programme and

portfolio management.

1.2 More than Just a Certification

Many people know the PMI from its PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

In fact, the PMI is about much more than just certifications. You dont have to hold a

certification to be a member and membership is not a pre-requisite to certification

(though PMI members do receive a discount on their exam fees). The other activities ofthe PMI centre on promotion of best practice and networking.

Members enjoy exclusive access to white papers and other resources on the PMI

website. There is also a series of publications including PM Network (monthly

magazine), PMI Today (monthly newsletter) and Project Management Journal (peer

reviewed research journal).


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The PMI arranges prestigious international conferences and makes awards to honour

individuals and organisations which have made significant contributions to theprofession. At the national chapter level there are regular local meetings where

members can interact with knowledgeable speakers and share experiences with their

peers.

As well as its own set of certifications, the PMI works with other organisations including

universities to develop high quality, industry relevant training and development

opportunities for aspiring project managers. In the UK this includes the Aberdeen

Business Schools MSc Project Management Programme.

2. The PMI Body of Knowledge

2.1 Why PMBOK Guide?

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) was first

published by the PMI in the 1980s as a white paper in an attempt to document and

standardise generally accepted project management best practice. The first edition was

published in 1996 and it has been reviewed and updated regularly since. The Fourth

Edition was released on December 31, 2008 and current PMI certification exams arebased on this guide.

The PMBOK Guide identifies processes that overlap and interact throughout the phases

of a project. Processes are described in terms of:

Inputs (eg documents, plans, and designs)

Tools and Techniques (mechanisms applied to inputs)

Outputs (eg documents and products)


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The Guide recognises 42 processes that fall into five basic process groups and nine

knowledge areas that are typical of almost all projects. The five process groups are: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling and

Monitoring, and Closing.

The nine knowledge areas are: Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human

Resources, Communications, Risk, and Procurement.

Each of the nine knowledge areas contains the processes that need to be accomplished

within its discipline in order to achieve an effective project management programme.

Each of these processes also falls into one of the five basic process groups, creating a

matrix structure such that every process can be related to one knowledge area and one

process group.

The latest edition includes an additional appendix recognising key interpersonal skills

Leadership, Team Building, Motivation, Communication, Influencing, Decision Making,

Political & Cultural Awareness, and Negotiation.

2.2 Other Project Management Best Practice Guidance

The PMI does not of course have a monopoly on project management best practice.

There is a similar Body of Knowledge maintained by the Association for Project

Management (APM) in the UK. Unsurprisingly there is a lot of overlap. APMs BoK

provides a broader range of project management topics including both soft and hard

skills. It provides the framework, principles and rationale for each critical area of project

management - but not a prescribed method.

Those familiar with the PRINCE2, MSP and MoR manuals may assume that these cover

the same ground. In fact these documents are less directly comparable. They tend to

be more prescriptive and emphasise one specific methodology rather than fundamental

processes and skills.

It should be noted that none of these guides provides a definitive bible for project

managers and in every case the knowledge they embody must be combined with real

life experience and training in related technical and interpersonal skills.


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3. PMI Qualifications

3.1 Both Academic and Practical Achievement

A PMI qualification is more than just a certificate obtained upon passing an exam at the

end of a training event. Candidates must demonstrate educational achievement,

industry experience and successful completion of an exam. They must have attended a

recognised training event, and to retain certification (with the exception of CAPM) it is

necessary to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) from completion of training,

personal development, and professional community activities.

The advantage of this approach to certification is that employers can be reassured that

there is long term commitment to a project management career and a track record of

practical as well as theoretical achievement.

The downside is that for newcomers to project management, the training may be

valuable but immediate certification is not possible.

3.2 The Family of PMI Credentials

The most well known PMI qualification is Project Management Practitioner or PMP.

The PMI has introduced other qualifications which are more suited to less experienced

project managers (eg CAPM) or those who work in more specialist areas (eg Risk,

Scheduling or Programme Management). These are less well known in Europe and

there are relatively few scheduled courses specifically aligned to these certifications.

It is important to note that the PMI qualifications are NOT sequential. Whilst the CAPM

is a good starting point for less experienced project managers, none of the qualificationsis a pre-requisite for another.

The Summary of PMI Credentials on the following page provides a useful overview and

you are advised to visit the PMI website to ensure you have seen the most up to date

version of this document.

http://www.pmi.org/


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4. PMP Project Management Professional

4.1 Introduction

The PMP was introduced in 1984 to recognise an individuals demonstrated

understanding of the knowledge and skills to lead and direct project teams, and to

deliver results within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources.

It has become one of the most widely recognised certifications for experienced project

managers worldwide. It has been adopted as a best practice standard by many major

multinational organisations. Where PRINCE2 Practitioner has gained ground

internationally as a result of its clear methodology and emphasis on governance issues,

PMP remains very popular amongst many companies in traditional project based sectors

such as petrochemicals, engineering and construction.

4.2 Eligibility

In order to be considered for the PMP you are expected to be an accountable project

manager:

- perform duties under general supervision and be responsible for all aspects of

the project for its full duration

- lead and direct cross functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints

of schedule, budget and scope.

You must meet tightly defined educational and professional experience requirements.

For instance, assuming you already hold a degree then you must demonstrate 36

months of project management experience and at least 35 hours of formal education. If

you do not hold a degree then 5 years project management experience is required.

There is a Credential Handbook available on the PMI website and this explains in

detail the rules with regard to experience and education and will help you to complete

the online application process correctly. If you take a PMP training course then your

trainer will also advise on the detail of the application process.


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4.3 The PMP Exam

The PMP exam comprises 200 multiple choice questions and the duration is 4 hours. It

can be taken at Prometric testing centres worldwide in a computer based testing (CBT),

format. The exam fee for PMI members at time of writing is $405. [There are also

possibilities for companies to organise exams as on-site events using a paper based

format.]

You can only proceed to book your exam once the PMI has confirmed that your

application is complete and you have paid the credential fees. The exam must be

taken within 1 year of application approval.

The PMI does not publish pass rate information but average first time success rate is

understood to be approximately 70%. The figure is much higher for experienced

professionals who have undertaken a 5 day instructor led PMP training event.

4.4 Maintaining Your PMP Credential

Once awarded, the PMP credential remains valid for just 3 years. In order to retain the

credential you must participate in the PMIs Continuing Certification Requirementsprogramme. For every hour of engagement in a qualifying activity you will typically

earn one Professional Development Unit (PDU). For PMP re-certification you will need to

accumulate at least 60 PDUs within the 3 year cycle.

It is often assumed that this means you are forced to attend 60 hours training with a

PMI registered provider. This is not the case. Eligible development activities include

Registered Education Provider courses, but you may also earn PDUs from activities such

as:

- completing relevant courses from non registered providers

- authoring a white paper

- contributing your project management skills as a volunteer

- attending PMI events

- undertaking self directed study.


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5. Other PMI Credentials

5.1 CAPM Certified Associate in Project Management

Aimed at newcomers to project management, it demonstrates potential to

contribute effectively to a project team

You will have a years project experience OR have attended 23 hours of

recognised project management training

You will be familiar with the main elements of the PMBOK Guide

demonstrated by passing a 150 question, 3 hour, multiple choice exam

Typical training for this course would be a 4 day classroom event; the exam is

booked separately and is taken at a Prometric test centre.

5.2 PgMP Program Management Professional

A logical progression from PMP for experienced managers who are required to

oversee multiple projects to deliver organisational objectives

Whilst suitable for PMP holders, this is not a pre-requisite

You will have 4 years project management and 7 years programme

management experience

Assessment includes both examination and a form of 360o review by 12

references you provide.

5.3 PMI-SP PMI Scheduling Professional

One of two specialist qualifications suitable for those working in a project and

programme management support role

Successful applicants will be able to analyse, report and communicate

schedule information effectively

Graduate applicants are expected to have 2 years scheduling experience and

will have completed 30 hours relevant training

Training for Microsoft Project and other scheduling tools can be included

There is a 3.5 hour, 170 question, multiple choice exam.


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5.4 PMI-RMP Risk Management Professional

Aimed at those required to assess risk, mitigate threats, and capitalise on

opportunities

Graduate applicants are expected to have 1 to 2 years risk management

experience and will have completed 30 hours project risk education

There is a 3.5 hour, 170 question, multiple choice exam.

6. PMI v APM v PRINCE2

As an independent training specialist, Focus is asked each day about the relative merits

of the leading project management qualification structures. They each have benefits

and the answer for any individual will depend on factors including experience level, job

role and career aspiration. The following notes provide basic guidance but please

contact our training advisors on 0845 450 6120 for more detailed advice.

Project Management Institute (PMI)

- The US based professional body

- Qualifications place strong emphasis on proven experience & prior education

- The most widely recognised project management qualifications worldwide

Association for Project Management (APM)

- Long established UK based professional body

- Credibility being enhanced through award of royal charter

- International recognition through the IPMA

- Training courses focus on key competencies exhibited by successful project managers

PRINCE2 (APM Group)

- Methodology based qualifications drawing on OGC best practice guidance

- Most popular project management courses in the UK

- Strong international growth

- Increasing integration with other best practice guidance eg MSP & ITIL


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APM PMI PRINCE2

Leading QualificationsIntroductory Cert

APMPCAPMPMP

PRINCE2 FoundationPRINCE2 Practitioner

Emphasis:

Project Manager Skill Sets *** * *

Project Methodology * * ***

Proven Project Experience * *** *

* Limited Emphasis** Moderate Emphasis*** Strong Emphasis

7. FAQs

What is the format for PMP Training

This varies. Focus offers several different formats which will provide the

knowledge you need to prepare for the PMP exam and contribute towards your

education eligibility requirement

o 5 day classroom courses

o

5 day residential courseso 4 day generic project management professional training followed by a 2

day PMI exam preparation workshop

o 2 day exam preparation workshop

Where can I train for PMP?

The Focus schedule includes regular PMP training in UK locations including

London, Manchester, Reading, Oxford and Aberdeen. You will find the widest

range of course dates at the Focus on Training website.

www.focus-on-training.co.uk

Is it possible to arrange onsite training for my team?

Yes. Focus regularly organises such training in the UK and overseas. Training

will be by a PMI Register Education Provider. For PMP training, we would

normally recommend a 5 day instructor led event but classroom training can be

supplemented by online learning modules and interactive tests. Call Focus on


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+44 1733 325232 or [email protected] you wish to

arrange such an event.

Does the 5 day PMP course include the exam?

No, the exam is always taken separately when it comes to PMI qualifications. You

must have completed the application process with the PMI and received your

eligibility code before booking your exam with Prometric which operates testing

centres in 135 countries. Your trainer will provide advice on the exam application

process.

What happens if I fail my exam?

You are allowed to re-sit the exam up to 2 more times within your one year

eligibility period.

Do I need to be a PMI member to attend PMI courses?

No, though you will find that the exams are less expensive if you are a member.

Why does the same course vary in price?

Focus works with most of the PMI registered education providers in the UK and

prices may vary by company and venue. However, you can be assured of high

quality training which follows the PMBOK Guide. Simply choose the course

which is most convenient for you.

How long does my PMP qualification last?

The PMP qualification lasts just 3 years. It is renewed on a 3 year cycle by

completion of training and personal development activities which accrue at least

60 PDUs under the PMIs Continuing Certification Requirements scheme.

How long does my CAPM qualification last?

The CAPM qualification lasts 5 years. During the 5th year you must successfully

re-take the CAPM exam. PDUs are not required.


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8. Finding and Booking your Course

Booking with Focus makes more sense:

A course close to home avoids hotel and travel

We offer more choice than anyone

Our training partners achieve above average pass marks

We can provide independent advice

Booking is online and fast

Contact Focus:

Tel: 0845 450 6120 or +44 (0)1733 325232Fax: 0870 855 5321Email: [email protected]: www.focus-on-training.co.uk

Mail: Focus on TrainingFirst FloorOlympus HouseWerrington CentrePeterboroughPE4 6NA

9. Useful Sources of Additional Information

http://www.pmi.org/

The PMI website contains information about both the benefits of PMI membership

and details of how to obtain, and retain, the various PMI credentials.

http://www.pmi.org/en/Certification/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pdc_pmphandbook.ashx

The PMP Handbook is the document you will need to digest if you want to obtain

the PMP certification. This document is the definitive guide to eligibility and the

application process.

http://www.pmi.org.uk/

The website of the UK chapter includes details of upcoming member events.

http://www.prometric.com/PMI/default.htm

The PMI section of the Prometric site. All PMI exams can be scheduled at a

Prometric test centre once you have completed the necessary application process.

pmi qualifications and training explained

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