The PMP

     The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the main association for the project management profession.   What makes the PMI so important to the business world is that it provides a benchmark for employers to gauge whether or not the person they hire is qualified to run projects.   Conversely, the institute gives project mangers seeking working a way to prove themselves to employers.   The PMI accomplishes this through the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification program.  The PMP means that the certified person has:

1.  Demonstrated the appropriate education

2.  Has the appropriate professional experience.

3.  Passed the PMP exam

4.  Agreed to the professional code of the PMI

     Does this mean that everyone that has taken this exam is well qualified to lead a project?   No,  a PMP certified individual may become the worst employee ever, as the guest speaker on Thursday alluded.   However, certifications do prove one thing.  That the person knows something about the material and that they have passed a qualitative test on knowledge in that area.   To an employer, a prospective employee is just a piece of paper.  It takes time to get to know someone and taking the time to get to know everyone who has applied for a job just isn’t practical.   That is why certificates and education are so important on a resume, especially for those who don’t have experience in the field.   These certificates may not help, but they never hurt.  

     Preparing for a large exam takes time.  Cramming is an inefficient way to study.   The brain can only retain so much information in a day.   So a large exam like the PMP should take weeks of study.   Studying does not mean reading.    Studying should consist of taking practice exams and working through problems, this is how I plan to prepare for the PMP.  Why am I taking this test?  To be a little more qualified than the next guy.