Best Project Management Certifications

These project management certifications can help you excel as an employee.

Project management certifications have claimed a place in every top IT certification list for years. That’s because project managers are important to IT operations of all kinds. Whether you are interested in becoming an IT project manager or just want to add project management to your list of soft skills, these five leading certifications will help you add to or boost those skills and, in turn, increase your value.

Still, to the point where it’s come nearly as sought later and every bit as precious as top- position credentials, it must be design operation, If there is a single set of soft chops that is been fixed on the IT radar for the once decade or so. Thanks in large part to the immensely popular and extensively pursued Project Management Professional (PMP) instrument from the Project Management Institute (PMI), this area has come an incredibly precious merit emblem for IT professionals of all stripes. That is because it enhances and expands on the value of just about any other kind of specialized credential.

Project operation has everything to do with planning, scheduling, budgeting for, and also executing and reporting on systems of all shapes and sizes. In fact, anything and everything that IT does can be understood or handled as a design of some kind. It applies to one-of-a-kind conditioning that be only formerly or veritably infrequently ( suppose tackle or Zilches upgrades or migrating from aged to newer platforms or architectures). Ditto for a recreating series of conditioning that repeat regularly ( suppose security patches, software updates or other regular conservation tasks). Therefore, design operation is incredibly important and precious to IT operations across the board.

According to PMI’s Earning Power Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition, IT professionals who hold a PMP report median base periodic hires in theU.S. of nearly$. The top 25 percent of check repliers report base hires of at least$. Depending on similar factors as complexity and size of systems, position, fields of moxie (e.g., IT, construction or healthcare), and experience, hires for some PMP credential holders can be much advanced still.

Robert Half’s Technology & IT 2019 Salary Guide lists design operation as a hot instrument, with hires varying slightly by technology area. It cites a payment range of$ to$ for design directors in operation development surroundings. Design directors engaged in consulting and system integration places can anticipate to earn$ to$ civil. This explains nicely why PMP appears in nearly every top 10 list of popular, targeted or most desirable instruments since the early 2000s. It’s no surprise that Robert Half also lists the PMP credential, along with Agile and Scrum instruments, as” largely valued technology instruments” trending up in the IT assiduity.

To give you an idea of which design operation credentials employers look for in prospective campaigners, we conducted a quick check on some popular job boards. Easily, the PMP is the overall favorite and remains ourNo. 1 pick for must-have- have design operation instruments. PMI’s entry- position design operation credential, the CAPM, also made our top five. The CSM from Scrum Alliance, along with ASQ’s Pukka Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt credentials, round out those picks. It’s also worth noting that job bulletins for design directors increased by 20 percent from 2018 across all design operation instruments.

Job board survey results (in alphabetical order, by certification)

Certification	SimplyHired	Indeed	LinkedIn Jobs	LinkUp.com	Total
CAPM (Project Management Institute)	593	718	1,187	381	2,879
CSM (Scrum Alliance)	3,550	4,916	9,286	3,052	20,804
CSSBB (ASQ)	998	1,231	1,817	848	4,864
CSSGB (ASQ)	1,205	1,457	1,966	842	5,470
PMP (Project Management Institute)	13,683	18,311	28,064	9,096	69,154

CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management

CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management

The same association behind the further elderly Project Management Professional (PMP) credential also backs the Pukka Associate in Project Management (CAPM). In fact, the CAPM is duly considered a steppingstone credential for those who wish to attain PMP status by stages, rather than in a single giant vault. That is why PMI describes the CAPM as a” precious entry- position instrument for design interpreters”that’s” designed for those with little or no design experience.”

The PMP requires three to five times of proved on-the- job design operation experience, depending on the educational background of each aspirant. On the other hand, the CAPM requires only a high academy parchment and either hours of proved on-the- job experience (about nine months of full- time work) or 23 hours of design operation classroom training previous to taking the test. The education prerequisite can be met by completing PMI’s Project Management Basics online course which costs$ 350 for PMI members and$ 400 fornon-members.

Nor does the CAPM bear continuing education (which PMI calls PDUs, or professional development units) as does the PMP (60 PDUs every three times) to maintain this credential. To recertify, CAPM holders must regain the test formerly every five times.
The CAPM is one of a small set of entry- position design operation instruments ( including the CompTIA Project) that IT professionals interested in design operation might choose to pursue. Remember, however, that it’s just a steppingstone to the PMP.
Unless you work in a large association where a design operation platoon is in place that includes inferior as well as elderly positions, the CAPM by itself is doubtful to give a ticket to a design operation job. Still, it’s ideal for IT professionals for whom design operation is a part- time job part or who want to grow into full- time design operation.

CAPM facts and figures

Certification name	Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Prerequisites/required courses	High school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent, plus 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education Certification valid for five years; candidates must retake exam to maintain credential.
Number of exams	One (150 questions; 15 questions are unscored; three hours to complete)
Cost per exam	Computer- or paper-based exams: PMI member: $225 (retake $150) Nonmember: $300 (retake $200) Exam available in online proctored or center-based test (CBT) formats. Exam administered by Pearson VUE.
URL	www.pmi.org/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx
Self-study materials	PMI maintains a list of self-study materials on its exam guidance webpage, including the Exam Content Outline, sample exam questions and the CAPM Handbook. Numerous books are available, including:A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members)CAPM Exam Prep, Third Edition, by Rita Mulcahy, Sept. 2013, RMC Publications, ISBN-10: 1932735720, ISBN-13: 978-1932735727CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628

CSM: Certified ScrumMaster

As companies seek to deliver further for lower, numerous borrow Nimble methodologies to streamline processes, make quality into products and insure that final shapes meet client conditions. As Nimble methodologies have come more popular, it’s no surprise that we see increased demand for IT interpreters qualified to manage systems in Nimble surroundings.

While different Scrum master instruments are available, our pick is the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from the Scrum Alliance. This nonprofit encourages relinquishment of Scrum and Nimble practices, promotes stoner groups and learning events, and provides coffers for professional development. The association boasts further than pukka interpreters worldwide.

The Scrum Alliance provides a support system for Scrum interpreters, including Scrum Gatherings, stoner groups, virtual dispatches, guiding, online training and much further. In addition to community and advocacy conditioning, the Scrum Alliance offers multitudinous Scrum- related instruments at the foundation, advanced, professional, elevated ( companion) and leadership situations. Scrum Alliance instruments are designed for platoon members engaged in Scrum master, product possessors and inventor places. The Scrum master and product proprietor tracks offer credentials at the foundation, advanced and professional situations which the inventor track only offers a foundation and professional position cert.

Scrum Master Track Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM), and Certified Scrum Professional – Scrum Master (CSP-SM)
. Product Proprietor Track Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Advanced Certified Scrum Product Proprietor (A-CSPO) and Pukka Scrum Professional – Product Owner (CSP-PO)
Inventor Track Certified Scrum Inventor (CSD) and Pukka Scrum Professional (CSP)
Elevated or companion credentials Pukka Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Team Coach (CTC) and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC)
. Nimble Leadership The Scrum Alliance also offers the Pukka Agile Leadership (CAL) program, a credential grounded on a combination of education and validated practice. There are two credentials – the Certified Agile Leadership I and Certified Agile Leadership II.

For design directors getting started as Scrum interpreters, the CSM makes an excellent entry- position credential. Not only must campaigners demonstrate an understanding of Scrum principles and values, but they’ll learn how to apply and apply Scrum in practice. The Scrum Alliance provides CSMs with multiple coffers, plus rosters and information about the menial- leader part of the Scrum master.

Certified ScrumMaster facts and figures

Certification name	Certified ScrumMaster
Prerequisites/required courses	General familiarity with ScrumCompletion of a two-day CSM training course (price varies by training provider; candidates can expect to pay $920 to $1,295)Note: Some training providers are affiliated with PMI; candidates may earn 14 PDUs for their PMI certification.
Number of exams	One (37 correct answers out of 50 questions required to pass;60-minute time limit))
Cost per exam	Fees for online test paid by the training provider
URL	https://www.scrumalliance.org/certifications/practitioners/certified-scrummaster-csm
Self-study materials	Scrum Alliance offers blogs, articles, reports, online learning, suggested reading, presentations, Certified ScrumMaster Learning Objectives, Scrum Foundations Learning Objectives and more.

CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt

Encyclopedically honored, ASQ instruments attest to seeker moxie, mastery of assiduity and regulation norms, and mastery of the ASQ Body of Knowledge. Presently, ASQ offers 18 credentials, three of which specifically target design operation the Pukka Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) ( expert position), the Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional position) and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) ( entry position).

The Pukka Six Sigma Black Belt is ASQ’s loftiest Six Sigma credential. The CSSBB aims at educated interpreters who understand Six Sigma methodologies ( including the DMAIC model), tools, systems and doctrines. CSSBBs can lead brigades or manage platoon dynamics, places and liabilities.

The path to CSSBB instrument is rigorous. In addition to passing a comprehensive test, campaigners must complete two systems that employ Six Sigma tools and processes, performing in design enhancement and a positive fiscal design impact. An affidavit is also needed to attest to the veracity of the design. Alternately, campaigners with at least three times of experience in one or further of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas need only complete one Black Belt design.
CSSBB campaigners are anticipated to demonstrate mastery of the ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge, called norms.

Organization-wide Planning and Deployment ( association-wide considerations, leadership)
. Organization Process Operation and Measures ( impact on stakeholders, benchmarking, business measures)
. Team Management ( platoon conformation, facilitation, dynamics, training)
. Define ( voice of the client, business case and design duty, design operation tools, logical tools)
. Measure( process characteristics, data collection, dimension systems, introductory statistics, probability, process capability)
. Dissect ( measuring and modeling connections between variables, thesis testing, failure mode and goods analysis, other analysis styles)
. Ameliorate ( design of trials, spare styles, perpetration)
. Control (statistical process control and other controls, maintain controls, sustain advancements)
. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies ( common DFSS methodologies, design for DVX, robust designs)
.

The CSSBB is valid for three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 18 recertification units or retake the exam.

CSSBB facts and figures

Certification name	Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
Prerequisites/required courses	Two completed projects with signed project affidavit, or one completed project with signed affidavit plus three years of experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge
Number of exams	One: computer-based (165 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (150 questions, 4 hours)
Cost per exam	$438 members, $538 nonmembers (retakes $338)Exams administered by Prometric.
URL	https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt
Self-study materials	ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive sample exams, books and other recommended references.

CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt

The Pukka Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) by ASQ is a professional- position credential targeting educated Six Sigma interpreters. Frequently, a CSSGB works under the direction of the further elderly CSSBB or as an adjunct. CSSGBs identify issues and drive quality and process advancements in systems.
To earn the credential, campaigners should have at least three times of experience working with Six Sigma processes, systems and tools. The work experience must have been full time and compensated; an overdue externship, for illustration, does not count. In addition, work performed must have been in at least one of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge faculty areas.
In addition to work experience, campaigners must pass an test that tests their knowledge of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge. Presently, the Green Belt Body of Knowledge includes six faculty areas
.

Overview Six Sigma and the Organization (organizational pretensions, spare principles, design methodologies)
. Define Phase ( design identification, client voice, design operation basics, operation and planning tools, design business results, platoon dynamics and performance)
. Dimension Phase ( process analysis and attestation, probability and statistics, statistical distributions, data collection, dimension system analysis, process and performance capability)
. Dissect Phase (exploratory data analysis, thesis testing)
. Ameliorate Phase( design of trials, root cause analysis, spare tools)
. Control Phase (statistical process control, control plan, spare tools for process control)
. Overall, this is an excellent credential for those who have some experience but aren’t relatively ready to take on the places and liabilities of a Black Belt.

CSSGB facts and figures

Certification name	Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
Prerequisites/required courses	Three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge areas Experience must be a full-time paid position (internships do not meet the experience requirement)
Number of exams	One: computer-based (110 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (100 questions, 4 hours)
Cost per exam	$338 members, $438 nonmembers; retakes cost $238Exams administered by Prometric.
URL	https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-green-belt
Self-study materials	ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive sample exams, books and other recommended references.

PMP: Project Management Professional

The Project Management Institute (PMI) not only stands behind its Project Management Professional instrument, it works with academia and training companies to insure proper content and currency in the colorful classes that support this and other PMI credentials. Boasting further than global members and PMP pukka professionals around the world, PMI’s PMP remains one of the most prestigious design operation credentials available. ( Note The PMP’s precursor, the CAPM, is covered in an earlier section of this composition.)

That is why you can gain council-and university- grounded PMP training from so numerous institutions. It’s also why you may occasionally find PMP content integrated into certain degree programs ( frequently at the master’s degree position).
The PMP credential is coveted by employers seeking the most largely professed design operation professionals. Developed by design directors, the PMP instrument is the loftiest position offered in PMI instruments. It’s designed to insure that credential- holders retain the chops and qualifications necessary to successfully manage all phases of a design, including initiating, planning, cataloging, controlling and covering, and closing out the design.

PMP certified systems directors are also well clued and professed in managing all aspects of the triadic constraints – time, cost and compass. Employers depend on the chops of PMP professionals to manage budgets, track costs, manage compass creep, identify how changes to the triadic constraints may introduce threat into the design, and minimize similar threat to cover the design investment.

The norms for PMP instrument are rigorous. Beyond passing a comprehensive test, credential holders must first demonstrate and certify that they’ve the chops and education necessary to succeed in the design operation field. Credential campaigners should be ready to give attestation for particulars similar as education, systems worked on and hours spent in each of the five design operation stages – initiating, planning, executing, covering and controlling, and closing out the design.
While it’s delicate to achieve, the prices for PMP credential holders can be significant. According to PMI’s Earning Power Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition, PMPs in theU.S. earn an normal of 23 percent further than theirnon-credentialed counterparts. The check reports median hires of PMPs in the United States at$, as opposed to$ fornon-PMP pukka design directors.
For those interested in program operation or wishing to specialize in a design operation area, PMI offers several intriguing fresh credentials
.

Program Management Professional (PgMP) Targets professionals who manage multiple systems on an organizational position
Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) Targets professionals managing organizational design portfolios
PMI Nimble Pukka Guru (PMI-ACP) Targets design operation professionals working with the Nimble methodology of design operation
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Focuses on business analysis and capability to define stakeholder conditions, design compass and outgrowth of business results
.PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) A technical credential fastening on threat assessment, identification and mitigation
. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) A credential for design directors charged with the task of developing and maintaining design schedules

The PMP remains a matchless instrument for IT and other professionals whose liabilities encompass design operation. It’s the standard against which all other design operation credentials are judged.
It should be noted that, after meeting the prerequisites, campaigners are also needed to pass a rigorous test. Campaigners must gain an eligibility ID from PMI before they can register for the test.

PMP facts and figures

Certification name	Project Management Professional (PMP)
Prerequisites/required Courses	Required courses: NonePrerequisite skills: Four-year degree, 4,500 hours in leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management educationORSecondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or equivalent), 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management educationNote: Credential holders must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) per each three-year cycle to maintain certification.
Number of exams	One (200 questions, 4 hours)
Cost per exam	Paper* and computer-based exams: PMI member: $405 (retake $275) Nonmember: $555 (retake $375) *Paper-based exam only available if candidates lives more than 150 miles from testing center or if testing center is not available in the country of residence and travel would provide an undue burden. Exam administered by Prometric. Eligibility ID from PMI required to register.
URL	www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx
Self-study materials	PMI maintains a list of training resources on the PMP exam guidance webpage, including links to sample questions, the PMP Exam Content Outline and the PMP Handbook. Additional training materials (quizzes, publications, books, practice guides and more) are available from the PMI Store.Numerous books are available, including:Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members)PMP Exam Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, Ninth Edition, by Rita Mulcahy; Feb. 1, 2018; RMC Publications Inc.; ISBN-10: 1943704040; ISBN-13: 978-143704040CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628Practice exams: PMP Exam Practice Test and Study Guide, Ninth Edition, by J. LeRoy Ward and Ginger Levin; June 28, 2018; Auerbach Publications, ISBN-10: 1138440299; ISBN-13: 978-1138440299

Beyond the top 5: More project management certifications

Project operation is truly a white-hot area for both instrument campaigners and employers. Several other design operation instruments are available, for general IT design operation as well as software development design operation.

Honorable Citation goes to the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) design operation instruments, similar as the Professional in Project Management, Associate in Project Management and Certified Project Director. The Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications ( featured in the 2017 top-five list) are also excellent credentials and worth honorable citation.

The CompTIA Project credential ( featured in the 2017 top-five list and honorable citation in 2018) remains a well- known entry- position design operation instrument for those starting their design operation careers. ASQ’s Pukka Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) is another entry- position credential worth exploring, particularly if you are interested in ultimately moving up to the more elderly Green and Black Belt credentials.

Utmost graduate business, operation and operation information systems (MIS) programs offer design operation training to scholars, and some offer instrument programs outside the design operation associations as well.

You will also find training and occasional instrument around colorful design operation tool sets. For illustration, some Microsoft Learning Mates offer courses on Microsoft Project, and you can find a dizzying array of design operation packages on Wikipedia’s comparison of design operation software runner.
The CAPM and Project remain the best- known entry- position design operation instruments, with the PMP as the primary professional target and culmination for would- be professional IT design directors. Do not forget to consider PMI’s affiliated instruments as well. For design directors seeking entry into the realm of Scrum, the CSM is the stylish entry- position cert for Scrum interpreters.