Is the PMP Certification for Me?

Introduction: This is the first part of my preparation for the PMP Examination Application. You can read more about my PMP exam journey here.

What is PMP?

The PMP recognizes the competence of an individual to perform in the role of a project manager, specially experience in leading and directing projects. Year after year, the PMP credential has garnered global recognition and commanded a higher salary for credentialed individuals over non-credentialed individuals.

PMP is an abbreviation for Project Management Professional. The PMP credential is very popular in the US (where PMP originates) and in the Asia. It is the most recognized credential for the field of project management in these areas.

In order to attain the PMP designation, one has to 1) meet the required professional experience, 2) gain 35 hours of project management education and 3) pass a 4-hour 200-question examination.

Eligibility Requirements

* in the last 8 consecutive years prior to the PMP application

The hours counted towards leading and directing projects include only those period that you are involved in project management activities (not executive the project work itself). PMI does not require you to perform the work in the capacity of a project manager, only that you carry out the work as outlined in the Project Management Professional Examination Content Outline.

One resource I found very useful in help aspirant PMP is The Definitive PMP Certification and Study Guide which is available on the pmexamlessonslearned.com. It will help you understand more about the PMP Certification and how to prepare for the PMP exam.

Is PMP for Me?

I am a full-stack web developer working in the education sector in Hong Kong. I started out as a graphic designer and later self-study to become a web designer/developer. Upon taking up my current job, I am also charged with the responsibility to manage various web projects including major revamp exercises, one-page landing pages, online applications and systems. As I am the only member in my team who knows how to handle web projects, I have to manage the projects from initializing to closing. That gives rise to the wish to obtain the PMP.

The PMP journey is indeed a very fruitful one for me.  Not only do I pass in my first try, but also I have learnt many skills that I do not normally handle in my projects, e.g. project risk management, project procurement management, earned value management, etc. which are very useful to enhance my project management skills. The formal definition of project management terms also helps to explain them to people not in the project management field.

If you are involved in project management works and you fulfil the requirements of the PMP Certification (i.e. working experience and education), I do encourage you to give PMP a try! If you are still not quite sure about your eligibility, you may read here for a list of common questions that may solve your queries.

Note: If you just fall short of the requirements of PMP (e.g. working experience), you may consider the CAPM® Certification (reference: detailed comparison of CAPM® vs PMP Certification).

P.S. What if I am No Good at English?

A little know feature of the PMP exam is the provision of language aids for FREE in the actual PMP exam (i.e. you will get the translated questions and answers below the original English questions and answers on the same page). Right now language aids are provided at no additional charge for the following 13 languages:

• Arabic Hebrew
• Brazilian
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Turkish

If you are more proficient in these languages, do apply for the language aid while you are confirming payment for the PMP exam. The email notification containing your exam eligibility information after you have made your PMP exam fee payment will indicate that you have chosen an language aid.