When it comes to project management, there are a lot of project management certifications available out there. You can choose from a wide range of certification providers, such as PMI, Google, Six Sigma, and CompTIA, to name a few. But with so many options in hand, it becomes very hard to select the best one for you.
However, to choose the best project management certification according to your career goals, you need to consider many things, such as the market value it has, the content outline it covers, the career path it offers, etc.
To help you make the right choice, we have prepared a list of the best project management certifications you can earn in 2023. But before we dive into the details, let's first learn why earning the project management certification is important.
What is the project management?
Project management is the process of planning and organizing a company's resources to achieve a specific goal, event, or task. The resources can include people, money, technology, and intellectual property. Generally, project management can be applied to a one-time project or an ongoing activity within an organization.
To help you understand it better, some examples of industries that use project management are engineering and construction, healthcare, and information technology (IT). These industries typically have complex projects that require a set of components to be completed and assembled in a certain way to produce a functional product.
A project manager is doing this process. The role of a project manager is to define the project's scope and objectives and coordinate the project team's activities and deadlines. The project manager also ensures that the project's quality standards are met and that the project delivers value to the end-user or client.
Why earn the project management certifications?
Project management certifications can help you grow in your career, whether you are an experienced professional or a beginner who wants better job opportunities.
If you are really serious about your career, the project management certifications can be the turning point in your career journey. Currently, every organization wants to hire certified professionals to help them generate high revenue.
However, here are some of the perks you will enjoy by earning the project management certifications:
- You will be recognized as a sought-after professional globally.
- You will get better job opportunities, plus better salary packages.
- Your name will be marked as a team leader if you perform better in your organization.
- You will differentiate yourself from other candidates who do not have any project management certification.
Here are the 15 best project management certifications
1. PMP: Project Management Professional
The PMP Project Management Professional certification is a prestigious and widely recognized project management course. It has more than 1 million certified professionals and is regarded as the gold standard of project management globally.
The PMP Project Management Professional certification validates your skills in executing processes, leading people, and applying management principles. As a PMP, you have the flexibility to work in any industry, with any methodology, and in any location. The PMP Project Management Professional Certification will cost $405 for members and $555 for non-members.
2. Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
Google offers a 6-course series of project management certifications suitable for IT professionals who want to start their career in project management or learn something new. With this certification program, you will discover various concepts such as quality management, strategic thinking, risk management, project management, stakeholder management, and more.
The Google Project Management: Professional Certificate is recognized by a number of leading organizations on the earth. To take the Google Project Management Professional certification exam, there are no prior experience is required. You can take this exam within 300 USD.
3. CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
The CAPM Certified Associate in Project Management certification is also a widely recognized certification that can help you mark your spot in the job market and prove your skills in managing projects. The CAPM certification shows that you have a solid grasp of the essential knowledge, terminology, and processes of effective project management, such as project risk and communication management.
The CAPM certification is valid for five years and does not require any Professional Development Units (PDUs) to renew. To take the CAPM certification exam, you must pay $225 if you are a member and $300 if you are a non-member.
4. CSM: Certified ScrumMaster
Agile project methodology is now a common practice in every organization. And surprisingly, whether it is a small-scale enterprise or a large-scale enterprise, agile project methodologies have become the first choice. The CSM: Certified ScrumMaster certification is no surprise and can help you become a sought-after certified Scrum master.
As a CSM, you will learn how to apply the Scrum framework and understand the team roles, accountabilities, events, artifacts, and rules that enable the Scrum Team to deliver high-quality products in the workforce. To take the CSM certification exam, you must be familiar with Scrum. The CSM: Certified ScrumMaster certification exam will cost around $1000 to $1,395.
5. CompTIA Project+
The CompTIA Project+ needs no introduction. The Project+ certification exam is for IT professionals who manage or coordinate projects of small to medium size. The CompTIA Project+ certification is a beginner-level certification, which makes it ideal for candidates with one year of project management experience and less complex projects.
Everyone knows CompTIA Project+ is more flexible than other certifications because it covers essential project management concepts beyond just one methodology or framework. With the CompTIA Project+ certification, you will learn more about the fundamentals of projects, constraints, tools, documentation, and change management. The CompTIA Project+ certification cost is $358.
6. CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner
The CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner is a CMP program offered by the Chartered Management Institute. The CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner certification exam focuses on the progressive framework of an organization.
The CPMP certification program is ideal for sales managers, marketing managers, and executives who want to enhance their management and leadership skills. The plus point is that when you take this course, you will get personal tutor support to help you at every certification stage.
The main purpose of the CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner certification is to help professionals develop technical leadership and management skills to handle every project successfully. The CPMP certification will cost you around 700 USD.
7. PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner
PRINCE2 is a project management method widely recognized and valued by many government agencies and organizations in the UK. There are two main certifications for PRINCE2: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner.
PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner, whatever you choose to go with, can help you enhance your skills and abilities in various key business areas. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner mainly measures your skills and knowledge in directing, managing, and delivering projects from the beginning to the end.
To take the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certification exam, you must have any PMP, CAPM, or IPMA certifications. The PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner certification exam will cost you around 700 to 900 USD.
8. APM: Associate in Project Management
The APM: Associate in Project Management certification is one of the well-known and widely accepted entry-level credentials in the field of Project Management Framework. The APM certification shows that the candidate has the required knowledge related to entry-level project management strategies.
The APM: Associate in Project Management is a globally recognized project management certification, ideal for anyone who is a graduate, entry-level practitioner, or just interested in project management. There are no formal education or experience requirements to take the APM certification. This certification will cost you $70 for the Standard Package.
9. CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate
It is said that the CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate is a key credential among all the other Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certifications. With the CSSGB certification exam, you will improve your problem-solving skills as a project manager.
You will rely on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) model and follow two paths —one with a deep understanding of the Body of knowledge and the second using free self-study guides.
The CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate shows you are good at process analysis, project planning, resource management, and performance management. There are no formal prerequisites to take this certification.
10. CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
The CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certification is another globally recognized project manager certification in the Six Sigma line. The process of earning the CSSBB certification is similar to the CSSGB. So there is little difference. You can take the exam online or at the testing centers available worldwide.
The CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certification is an open-book format exam, and you have three attempts to pass it. To pass the CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt exam, you must score at least 420 points out of 600. Also, there are no formal prerequisites to take this certification.
11. MPM: Master Project Manager
The MPM: Master Project Manager is another best project management certification issued by the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM). The MPM certification is not only for project managers but also for individuals who have business and technical responsibilities and a college degree.
To take the MPM: Master Project Manager certification exam, you must have three years of project management experience. The cost to take the MPM certification exam is 300 USD.
12. ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner
When it comes to PMI, there is no question if the certification is worth it or not. You can go blindly with PMI certifications. The ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner is also one of the highly-regarded credentials, focusing on Agile project management. The ACP certification validates your Agile skills and methodology so you can manage projects effectively.
With the ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner certification, you will learn more about various Agile practices, such as Kanban, Scrum, and extreme programming, and how to apply them. The ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner certification course is suitable for agile organizations and teams.
In order to take the ACP certification, you will need at least 2000 hours of experience in project management and 6-12 months of hands-on experience working with Agile teams. The ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner certification exam will cost $435 for members and $495 for non-members.
13. PPM: Professional in Project Management
The PPM: Professional in Project Management certification course is conducted by the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM). The PPM certification program is a mid-level certification that covers project management modules, such as planning, executing, controlling, and completing projects.
Apart from that, the PPM certificate also trains you how to develop project schedules, project marketing strategies, and different approaches to leading and managing projects. With the PPM: Professional in Project Management certification, you can enhance your existing knowledge, making you an experienced project manager who can deal with risks, handle crises, and motivate teams to perform better.
To take the PPM certification exam, candidates should have at least one year of hands-on project management experience.
14. CPD: Certified Project Director
The CPD: Certified Project Director certification is a globally recognized and prestigious project management certification offered by GAQM. The CPD: Certified Project Director certification program is designed for senior and experienced IT professionals who can handle complex project management needs, such as budget, scope, risk, and cost.
This course is for you if you want to go beyond the usual PPM and become a project management expert. The CPD certification course is ideal for aspiring project management candidates.
15. CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM)
The CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM) is another most popular project management certification in this list. The IAPM is a global project management certification body that offers certifications that give professionals and even beginners a clear edge over others.
The CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM) certification is designed for IT professionals who wish to manage and execute projects effectively. The CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM) certificate validates your skills and knowledge of theoretical project management knowledge. To successfully pass the exam, candidates need to achieve at least 65 percent.
The bottom line
Project management is not just a skill but a way of thinking and executing work effectively. The result of the work done by proper planning is obtained through satisfaction.
It doesn't matter whether you are new to project management or have many years of experience; earning project management certification is the need of the hour. A project management certification can show you have the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and deliver successful projects.
On this positive note, if you want to take any of the certifications mentioned above, you can take the help of CBT Proxy. CBT Proxy has been in this field for over a decade now, helping IT professionals quickly earn the desired certification. Click the chat button below to get started, and we will guide you further!
