How PMP Certification Can Help You Reach the Next Level in Your Career

Project Management Professional (PMP, for short) is a certification exam offered for project managers by Project Management Institute (PMI). 

PMI is the world's leading professional association for project management. It is the authority for a growing community of project professionals and individuals who learn and use project management skills to manage complex projects.

PMP is the most sought-after certification that is recognized industry-wide across the globe. The PMP exam is an exam for a comprehensive study of all aspects of project management. 

As PMP certification is for practitioners, that is people who are managing projects, this requires applicants to meet certain eligibility requirements before they can apply.

PMP validates a candidate’s ability to manage projects in any industry and any vertical. 

Here are some of the advantages that you would want to consider with Project management career path:

Knowledge of Different Project Management Approaches

As a project manager, you can manage a project using the Waterfall approach, also called the “traditional” project management approach. 

For the past 3 decades, the Agile approach, with its adaptive and incremental nature, has become a de facto standard for new product development. More so in the Software Development field. 

A combination of these two is possible in a single project, depending on the nature of the work of its components.

Comprehensive Project Management Knowledge

Most of the project managers come from a technical background, due to the natural growth up the ladder. Because of this, they are less likely to have been exposed to all the aspects of project management. Making it necessary for some sort of formal project management training.

Project management requires knowledge and skills in managing Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communication, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder management.

Validation for the Companies

Companies spend a lot of time and money on ensuring that they hire a proficient project manager for the job. This requires them multiple rounds of interviews.

When the candidate possesses PMP certification, it gives companies the confidence that the candidate has what it takes to manage projects effectively.

Such is the nature of the PMP exam and the preparation one has to go through to pass it.

PMP Credential Pays You More!

PMI runs a salary survey roughly once every 2 years. During this, it reaches out to project managers across various industries, designations, and geographies.

This salary survey has consistently found that jobs with pmp certification earn, on average, 16-25% more than non-PMP managers.

PMP-Certified Managers Are More Likely to Get Promoted

The job demand for project managers has been increasing and is expected to continue on that trajectory in the coming years. The employment of project management specialists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has been projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031.[1] That is, on average, roughly 70,400 openings for project management roles are expected each year, over the decade.

Moreover, PMI.org estimates that by 2027, there will be a need for nearly 88 million employees in project-related roles. There are reasons of course for that: greater need and demand put on formal management approaches, higher turnover of employees, inflation, demand-supply issues, the introduction of new technologies, the resignation of employees due to burnout, or other reasons that are impacting the market in significant ways. All this is prompting the companies to adapt quickly in order to bring services and products to market.

The median annual salary for PMPs at various levels of the organizational hierarchy was found to be $94,500 in May 2021. With the ever-increasing demand for people with the right skillset, the salary of project managers is likely to continue to increase in the coming years.

There are countless examples of people getting promoted in their own companies to the next level after getting PMP certified.

A couple of examples are Theveline getting a job with a whopping $60K salary hike, and Ankita getting promoted soon after she passed the PMP exam. I interviewed both of these to find out their unique approach to the PMP exam preparation.

Why are such results possible?

A PMP-certified manager understands the principles, practices, and tools of project management. They will be prepared to address any eventualities they may face on any challenging project.

It Shows Commitment

Being a PMP-certified individual also shows a project manager’s commitment to their profession and their professional development. 

To be a PMP, PMI requires that you put in continued learning effort to maintain your certification. For 3 years, you must show 60 hours of effort in learning and/or sharing your project management knowledge. This is to be reported to PMI as Professional Development Units (or PDUs).

There are over 1 million PMP-certified project managers across the globe as of 2023. 

According to PMI’s Talent Gap Analysis, by 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles.

That is a huge opportunity for anyone looking to grow their career in the project management field.

I have seen too many people fail the PMP exam due to the wrong approach. Upon further analysis, I have discovered that these are due to the decisions taken based on certain misunderstandings.

I call these PMP myths.

You need to be aware of these and avoid them. This will help you make the right decisions regarding different aspects of PMP exam study, saving you potentially a lot of time and effort, and avoiding frustration. 

So, before proceeding, let me give you the top 10 myths surrounding the PMP exam.

The PMP Exam Is Based on the PMBOK Guide

No. It is not.

PMBOK stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge. This book is published by PMI and is one of the reference books for the PMP exam.

This contains project management guidelines given in terms of project management processes falling into 10 Knowledge Areas (scope, schedule, cost, communication, etc.) and 5 Process Groups (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing).

This is probably the most prevalent of the myths and slowly changing. 

Due to the constant talk about the processes, inputs, tools, and techniques, the PMBOK guide is pretty much spoken about in the same breath as the PMP exam.

Hence, the PMP exam is not based on the PMBOK guide. PMBOK guide is just one of the many (as many as 11 of them!) reference books recommended by PMI for the PMP exam.

The syllabus for the PMP exam is based on a document released by PMI called PMP Examination Content Outline. 

The syllabus is given in terms of domains. And interestingly the percentage of questions on the exam also are given by the domain

We will look at this some more in a bit.

61% Is the Passing Threshold for the PMP Exam

It is not.

I mean, it used to be true once upon a time, but not anymore. PMI does not disclose the exact way in which the exam is scored and the passing threshold. 

What does this mean for you?

Simple. Focus on all parts of the syllabus with equal weightage. Do not leave out any part simply because it is hard to understand. That might have worked in our school or college exams, but PMI does not want us to take such an approach for the PMP exam. 

And that could be the reason they are secretive about the scoring approach and passing threshold.

You Need to Memorize All the ITTOs to Pass the Exam

No, you do not.

If you are wondering what ITTO is, here is a quick primer for you.

The PMBOK guide, as we saw earlier, is one of the reference books recommended by PMI for the PMP exam. The PMBOK guide outlines project management processes that fall across 10 Knowledge Areas (such as scope, schedule, cost, etc.) and 5 Process Groups (such as initiating, planning, etc.). Each of these processes has a fixed structure: they take in a few inputs, which are used with some tools or techniques, and they create a few outputs.

For instance, the process “Develop Project Charter” takes in input such as business documents and agreements, which are worked upon by the experts via brainstorming sessions of focus groups (these are called tools and techniques) to create the Project Charter as the output.

These Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs are called ITTOs, for short.

Again, this comes from the association of the PMBOK guide and the PMP syllabus. 

You will certainly get questions testing your knowledge of Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs of processes, but not in a way that needs you to have them in memory.

Based on the context given in the question, and based on the options given, you will be able to deduce the answer by employing the understanding of ITTOs. Not memorization.

Only PMI-Authorized Service Providers Can Train You for PMP

This is not the case.

PMI has certain education providers associated with it, who provide training for the PMP exam, most of which are live classes.

The fact is that many education providers are not authorized by PMI to provide courses or programs that arguably are of much better quality and less expensive. And they do an excellent job of preparing you for the PMP exam.

As always, you should do your research. 

A thumb rule to choosing PMP study resources is that you should be able to enjoy them thoroughly. Just because your friend is using a certain book, you do not have to go for it. What if you enjoy learning from a visual medium such as a video course much more than a book? 

Choosing the right study resources is the first step in preparing well for the exam. And you do not have to go with PMI-authorized training service providers for this.

Once You Pass the PMP Exam, You Are Guaranteed to Get Higher Compensation

As they say nothing in life is guaranteed.

Although PMI surveys have time and again proven that PMP-certified managers earn more than non-PMP-certified managers, and countless PMPs have indeed got an increment or promotion, there is no guarantee that PMP will automatically get you a promotion or a better job.

However, the chances for getting higher compensation or promotion with PMP under your belt are bright, because,

• You will feel confident about the project management knowledge you have gained.
• You will be able to apply this knowledge on the job and gain valuable experience.
• As you mention this in your social media profile, email signature, and resume, you will let people know of your credentials.
• You will use the proper words and phrases in the interviews and conversations.
• You will be able to understand the experts way better now.

Due to all these, your managers and higher-ups will understand your value and you will be given the opportunities to lead challenging projects.

When you keep excelling at your job, your prospects of growth will increase exponentially.

Your PMP Application Is Profiled to Select for Audit

No! 

The audit is a completely random process, and the applications are selected for audit by the system. No manual intervention is done, so this is completely impartial.

If your application is selected for audit, then you will have to provide the necessary information that PMI asks for. This could be the contact details of your previous managers, your 35-hour project management education certification, and such.

The Audit is nothing to be afraid of. 

If your application is selected for an audit, then it may add a couple of weeks of additional time before your exam eligibility period begins, which is 1 year from the date of approval of your application.

You Need 35 PDUs to Submit Your PMP Application

No, it is not the count you need for the PMP exam.

PDU stands for Professional Development Unit, which is a measure of your continued effort to educate yourself on the topics of project management AFTER you are PMP certified. 

You need to earn 60 PDUs for 3 years to keep your PMP certification valid.

But the eligibility requirements for the PMP exam require you to study for 35 hours about project management, in a way that PMI can validate. This could be done using university programs, online courses, or a few other means that are outlined in the PMP handbook.

These 35 hours are NOT called PDUs. This is what you need to know.

If You Get One Below-Target Score, You Fail the Exam

Not true.

I have worked with over 5,000 PMP students over the last decade and have interviewed over 335 of them. I have seen all combinations of results. And according to my observations, people with one below-target score have passed the exam.

It is futile to try and analyze the required study effort based on the type of result. The simplest way is to focus on understanding the content of the exam. Understanding from the perspective of the application of project management concepts to project situations is a great way to study for the exam.

Your Chances of Passing the Exam Increase with the Number of Years of Experience

Not true.

Many of my PMP students have the minimum number of years of experience required to apply for the PMP exam. And some of them have over 30 years of project management experience! 

One thing I have learned while helping them with the exam is that the number of years of experience does not matter at all.

If you blindly base your answers on your experience, it may hurt your chances on the exam. 

This is because we do not live in the ideal world, and two project managers working in similar conditions on similar projects may make decisions that are 180 degrees apart. 

As a project manager, your decisions depend on different project dynamics, such as consideration for future business from the same client, political climate, resource constraints, and so on. However, you need to think like a project manager that “always does the right thing” and answer the question as PMI expects.

Thus, know that number of years of experience has no impact on your chances on the PMP exam.

You Are Too Old (or Too Young) to Take the PMP Exam

Absolutely not.

Some of my students have the bare minimum experience needed to take the PMP exam, and some have over 30 years of experience. We are talking about students in their mid-20s to early 60s. 

Your age has got nothing to do with the exam. If you meet eligibility criteria and if you are convinced that PMP can help you grow, go for it! 

The first step in the journey of getting PMP certified is to understand the certification process.

The process has 3 distinct phases: Pre-PMP, PMP Preparation and Exam, and Post-PMP.

Pre-PMP Phase

In this phase, you verify whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

PMP is a practitioner-based exam, which means that you can attempt this only if you have been working as a project manager. Please note that the designation does not matter here, only the role counts.

Your designation could be QA Lead in a manufacturing company or Academic Coordinator at a university, but if your role has involved managing projects, then you are a practitioner and you can apply for the PMP exam.

Depending on the educational qualification, you need to show a certain number of years of experience while applying for the PMP exam at PMI.org as given in the PMP examination content outline document here.

This is the first eligibility criteria.

The second one is that you should have invested at least 35 hours of project management education. This could be self-study, taking a project management course at a university, a self-paced course, or education via any such education channel.

There are only 2 eligibility requirements that you need to complete to apply for the PMP exam.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to apply for the exam.

There is a chance of a random audit once you apply. If that happens, then you will need to share the information that PMI asks you for. This may include contact details of your previous managers, proof of 35 hours of project management education, and so on.

Once the application is accepted by PMI, you will have 1 year to appear for the PMP exam.

If you fail the exam, you can take the exam 2 more times in this 1-year eligibility period. 

The other thing you can do is: get yourself a PMI membership. 

Being a PMI member gives you many advantages:

• Access to PMBOK guide, Agile Practice Guide, and other resources
• Overall reduction in the examination fee
• Access to premium webinars (helpful in earning PDUs we saw earlier)
• Opportunity to network with project managers over the world 
   

PMP Preparation and Exam Phase

As the name indicates, in this phase, you will invest in suitable study resources, create a study plan, put in the study hours, and take the mock tests.

You will not simply choose any study material, rather you will look for study material that meets PMI’s defined syllabus for the PMP exam.

This syllabus is defined by PMI in a document called PMP Examination Content Outline.

There is a public-access document available on PMI.org for download.

After the approval of the application, you will pay the examination fee.

PMI will give you a token number called PMI ID, which you will use to book the exam slot.

Now, PMI does not administer the PMP test. That is done by a proctor, a company called PearsonVUE. When you are sufficiently prepared for the exam, you will approach them, give them the PMI ID, and get your exam scheduled.

You have two options here: 

• You can take the exam online from your home, office, or hotel room.
• You can take the exam from PearsonVUE’s test center near you.

With the first option, you will need to install PearsonVUE’s exam software on your computer. With the second option, your risks such as power/internet outage during the exam are reduced. 

Post-PMP Phase

Once you pass the PMP exam, you need to maintain the validity of your PMP certification. 

You do this by investing 60 hours over a 3-year period in activities that support your continuous learning goal. This could be done by reading, attending seminars or webinars, creating project management content, giving presentations, and many other ways as suggested by PMI.

These 60 hours spent toward your professional development are aptly called PDUs. 

Consider the scenario below:

You are looking to hire a project manager to lead a project to develop a new mobile application for a startup company. The budget for the project is limited, and the timeline is short. The timeline to hire for this position is short, but you want to ensure you get the right candidate. 

Who would you want to interview for the post of this project manager? 

With the rest of the criteria being the same, would it be someone who is PMP certified or someone that is not?

Chances are, you would like to go with a PMP-certified expert. 

The demand for PMP-certified professionals is increasing by the day because they possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to successfully manage complex projects.

A research report titled Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications [4], published by PMI in 2021, states this:

“Globally, a gap between the demand for project management skills and the availability of talent continues to persist. This opens up a host of new job opportunities in Project Management-Oriented Employment (PMOE) for project professionals and all changemakers – those who, regardless of their role, are inspired and equipped to drive change.”

Here’s where it gets interesting. And relevant for you.

The report states that the world would require 25 million new project professionals by the year 2030. There is a huge talent gap forming every single year. And in order to close this talent gap, every year, there will be job opportunities for over 2.3 million just to keep up with this demand!

Think about that for a moment.

That is how big the opportunity is, and you can cash in on it by being PMP certified.

The Compensation Economics

In the 12th edition of the Salary Survey by PMI, the leading organization of project management education, the salary figures of project managers over the world are given.

Now you can compare yours with the average median salaries for PMPs here.

• $115,000 in the USA
• $96,326 in the UK
• $25,633 in India

I am sure you noticed it took the average across the number of years of experience.

How would it look if you considered this critical aspect?

If you are looking at the salaries of a PMP with 5 to <10 years of project management experience, it would look like this:

• $100,000 in the USA
• $80,000 in the UK
• $22,840 in India (approximately, INR 19 Lakhs)

If you are looking at someone with 10 to <15 years of project management experience, then the salaries stack up as below:

• $120,000 in the USA
• $95,638 in the UK
• $29,282 in India (approximately, INR 24 Lakhs)

And if you are looking at someone with 15 to <20 years of project management experience, then the salaries stack up as below:

• $130,000 in the USA
• $106,784 in the UK
• $37,268 in India (approximately, INR 31 Lakhs)

For someone with 20+ years of experience in project management, the numbers look like this:

• $138,000 in the USA
• $111,166 in the UK
• $47,916 in India (approximately, INR 40 Lakhs)
   

What Are Some of the Different Designations?

While there is no confirmed mapping between the designations and compensation, here are some of the designations you will find across companies.

These are taken from job sites such as indeed.com and PMI’s salary survey findings:

• Associate Project Manager
• Project Management Lead
• Project Coordinator
• Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Technical Project Manager
• Director of Project Management/PMO
• Portfolio Manager
• Program Manager
• Project Management Specialist
• Project Management Consultant

In terms of expectations around some of these designations, consider the following as ballpark or general expectations. The specific expectations are defined only by the organizations for specific project management certification jobs that they open up. 

When you are applying for any project management position, you must thoroughly understand the Job Description from the hiring coordinator or HR person.

• Project Management Lead: In this designation, you are responsible for leading the overall project, providing direction and support to project teams, and taking responsibility for the project's success.
   
• Project Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for developing project plans, executing and managing projects, and ensuring that project deliverables are met.
   
• Program Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for overseeing multiple projects, as well as ensuring that all deliverables are met across all of the projects.
   
• Project Control Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for the performance analysis and cost control of projects.
   
• Risk Management Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks.
   
• Quality Assurance Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for ensuring that the project meets quality standards and requirements.
   
• Change Management Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for analyzing and managing any changes that may occur during the project lifecycle.
   
• Agile Project Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for managing projects using Agile frameworks and methodologies.
   
• Technical Project Manager: In this designation, you are responsible for managing technical aspects of the project, such as software development and IT infrastructure.

Now that you understand the salary band and various project management career options you can aim for with PMP under your belt, let us look at some of the courses that will help you prepare for the PMP exam.

It is important that you carefully choose the study resource. Here are a few popular project management courses you can consider for your PMP study. 

• PMP® Certification Training Course
• Project Management: Master Project Management - PMP/PMI
• PMP® Certification Training Course
• All-In-One PMP EXAM PREPARATION - Exclusive (NEW)
• PMP® Exam Prep Complete Course (Self-Paced)

Here is something you need to know about the kind of opportunities that exist for project managers, especially those with a certification like PMP under their belt.

There are 90 million project management-oriented job positions currently occupied across the world. And by the year 2030, over 25 million NEW project management-related positions are required to be filled to meet global talent demand. 

This kind of demand is created partly by new opportunities, technology advancements, new businesses, partly by a chunk of current project managers either getting transitioned to other positions (approximated 12 million), and people getting retirements or taking early retirements (approximated to 13 million). 

That is a huge pie that you want to be part of.

The career prospects for pmp professionals are bright and evolving. 

Although the competition will be fierce for these opportunities, you need a solid foundation as well as recognition in the market that makes you an attractive candidate for recruiters.

And a certification like PMP will give you just that attraction.

It is time you stake your claim to it.

The best time to prepare was 6 months ago, and the next best time is now!