A project manager is no less than the backbone of the project. Without a highly skilled project manager, every successful IT project cannot be completed. Right from the foundation of a project in any organization―from hardware and software upgrades to implementing security patches to ongoing projects, to application design & development, deployment, and rollout of the software itself―project managers keep the team motivated and meet the deadline on time.
If you are an aspiring project manager or an IT professional who wants to take a step forward and build a career as a successful project manager, the list below can help you gain knowledge and can add an extra layer of weight to your expertise. So look no further, and read the Top 11 Project Manager Certificates carefully for 2022.
Top 11 project management certifications:
- Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Risk Management Professional (RMP)
- Certified Information Privacy Manager (IAPP-CIPM)
- CompTIA Project+
- PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Agile Foundation/Practitioner
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
- Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
1. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
PMI-ACP is one of the highly in-demand certifications and evaluates the candidates' understanding of agile principles and techniques. Organizations that follow the agile model of executing their projects, i.e., completing the tasks faster and in small consumable batches to adapt to any market change instantly and make changes accordingly, are constantly looking for PMI-ACP certified professionals. So, if you are a part of the agile team or your company adopts agile practices, this online exam must showcase your real-life, hands-on expertise in an agile working environment. The domains covered are agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and continuous improvement.
2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Project management is an ever-growing profession, and organizations globally have recognized the need to hire trained project managers for timely and result-oriented project delivery. CAPM is a globally acclaimed certification that tests an applicant's ability to handle a project individually or work with a project team. If you clear this online exam, your knowledge and effectiveness in managing large projects are considered at par with global standards. So, if you want to gain project management skills to manage large projects, you must consider obtaining this certificate.
3. Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMP certification is ranked one of the most prestigious global project management certifications. As a PMP certificate holder, you are considered a professional with mastery over the three core areas of project management: predictive, agile, and hybrid. It also shows you possess business skills to achieve goals and enhance your organization's market value worldwide. You can consider getting this certification if you are an onsite or off-site coordinator, quality assistant manager, PMO office representative, program manager, and manager. It will help you outshine your competitors and give you an unprecedented salary hike. The domains covered in this online exam are people (soft skills to manage a team), process (technical aspects of project management), and business environment (executing projects in compliance with the organizational strategy).
4. Risk Management Professional (RMP)
The PMI-RMP certification equips you with the skills to identify threats involved in a project, create plans to mitigate them, and evaluate the plan's credibility, thereby helping your organization meet its business goals within a specified time and without monetary loss. Organizations today focus on risk management and project management to achieve goals faster and save on financial resources. The content of this certification is highly complex and hence challenging to clear. If you get this certification, you can also get an opportunity to work in fortune 500 companies and several government organizations. So, suppose you are a project manager, CEO, COO, CFO, software developer, design engineer, marketing professional, project engineer, financial analyst, and accountant. In that case, this certificate can help you stand out from the competition. The domains covered in this online exam are risk strategy and planning, stakeholder engagement, risk process facilitation, risk monitoring, and reporting, and performing specialized risk analysis.
5. Certified Information Privacy Manager (IAPP-CIPM)
IAPP CIPM exam is a globally recognized standard for privacy program management. It equips you with knowledge about implementing data privacy regulations for your organization's day-to-day activities. You will learn how to create a company vision, design and implement system frameworks, structure a data protection team, minimize risks, handle personal data effectively, and measure performance. There is no one reason to become a CIPM certified professional. It enhances your leadership profile and helps you portray the role of a privacy leader within your organization. You become aware of laws and practices about privacy and data protection and gain knowledge of essential tools to boost your company's privacy program and enhance its market value.
6. CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Project+ certification is best suited for professionals who handle small and less complex projects but are still a part of project management work. It is versatile because it not only focuses on one project management concept but covers several essential areas so that the candidate can effectively manage resources, project documentation, and project lifecycle. Also, it prepares you with skills to handle projects related to any field and in any organization. So, this certificate is for you whether you work as an entry-level project manager or team member, business analyst, or an expert looking to sharpen your skills, earn more, and boost your productivity at the workplace. This online exam that targets specifically business professionals covers the following domains: project basics, project constraints, communication and change management, and project tools and documentation. No formal prerequisites have been specified; it is recommended to have 12 months of small to medium-scale project management work experience.
7. PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner
PRINCE2 stands for Projects IN Controlled Environment. It is one of the leading project management procedures widely utilized in commercial and governmental organizations worldwide. With this foundation certification, candidates can learn how to modify projects according to changing environments and develop the right approach according to project plans. PRINCE2 Foundation course is designed especially by AXELOS to offer knowledge to newbies to learn project management methods. After learning the foundation level, candidates can advance and go for the PRINCE2 Practitioner level. Through the PRINCE2 Foundation course, inexpert candidates can gain business justification risk management, quality control, planning and management, and benefits management skills. Program Managers, Project Sponsors, Project Managers, Coordinators, leaders, and Analysts can attend the foundation course and enhance their knowledge. There are no prerequisites for PRINCE2 Foundation Certification, but PRINCE2 Foundation certification is mandatory for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification.
8. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation/Practitioner
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation examination is a perfect blend of awareness and flexibility regarding agile practices defined by PRINCE2. It is considered the best and complete solution for project management worldwide. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification is developed specially for people working in the small or large-scale IT sector responsible for delivering the projects. It is a precious certification for candidates who want to work in an agile environment of tasks that can be part of the project team. In today's time, the business environments are changing at a fast pace, and it is vital to learn to work in agile projects as it helps to enhance the capability to acclimatize and respond. The foundation certification is for new candidates who want to acquire knowledge in Agile. This certification is developed to maintain PRINCE2 Agile, and the agile Foundation is a prerequisite for PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation is an AXELOS certification designed for project designers, supporters, and managers. The training for the examination can be taken by Digital Core Guidance, which is an eBook. The eBook is a reliable source for knowing the agile environment, and the candidates can take full advantage of the book after purchasing this.
9. Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
Six Sigma Green Belt certified professional works on small Six Sigma projects that require less commitment. They do this with the support of a Six Sigma Black Belt leader who supervises and handles more complex improvement projects. As a certified individual, you also possess an in-depth knowledge of enhanced problem-solving techniques using DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) model. To get certified as Green Belt professional, there are no prerequisites prescribed by the council, and there are no project requirements for this certification. However, if you wish to obtain level 2 Green Belt Certification, then project completion is required. The online exam topics span over six phases. These are the overview of Six Sigma and the organization, define phase, measure phase, analyze phase, improve phase, and control phase.
10. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
Six Sigma Black Belt certification equips you with the knowledge and skills to handle process improvement projects independently and lead the team. As a Council for Six Sigma Black Belt certified individual, you have an in-depth understanding of the entire Six Sigma Body of Knowledge. Your team management skills get enhanced, and you understand using several improvement and statistical tools. In this way, your organization views you as a highly valued employee, and your chances of getting hired by top international firms increase. You understand the DMAIC model, lean enterprise concepts and identify and eliminate non-value-added activities. This online exam tests your knowledge across the following topics introduction and organization-wide planning and deployment, process management and measures, team management, DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) model, and design for Six Sigma. This exam has no prerequisites; you can pass it within one year of paying the examination assessment fees. But it will benefit those aspiring to use Six Sigma Black Belt techniques to help their organizations and who want to enhance their statistical knowledge. There are two paths to attain this certification. One is to attempt the comprehensive examination in one go if you are an experienced individual. The second is to take several short exams and progress gradually if you are a newbie or in the learning stage.
11. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Certified ScrumMaster creates a framework based on evidence for building the entire team's ability. It fulfills the emerging requirement for adapting and managing all the conditions of customers. Working on an unpredictable challenge delivers the right approach, which is required beneficially. It helps in managing software products that are complex for dealing purposes. Along with this, an agile framework is created for increasing growth with outputs. There are certain principles of using scrum based on entire marketing and sales. This certification focuses on three aspects: inspecting every detail, undergoing adaption, and creating transparency. Here, planning is done significantly, which helps generate long-term goals. Candidates can build strategies for identifying the right product and attribute. Through this, it will become easy to manage all the technical debts. If any product has backlog collection, then scrum events and the team workers will provide the suitable attribute for clearing backlogs before the deadline.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT
What does a project manager do? Generally, project managers lead the project from zero to the final stage, even after completion. A project manager's responsibilities are planning the project in detail, assembling and motivating the team, keeping the track record of the ongoing project and sending them to the client or senior-level professionals, building easy-going and result-oriented strategies, and reviewing and monitoring the project.
What skills are required for a project manager? As a skilled project manager, you'll need several high-end abilities ―most notably― successfully managing and delivering the project. Other skills include good analytical skills, decision-making, goal setting, honesty and credibility, high energy, time management, team collaboration, and technical skills.
What is cost control in project management? Cost control is the task where project managers oversee and manages the overall project expenses to prevent financial risks. This includes managing the budget and planning and preparing for future potential risks.
What are the stages of project management? There are five project management stages to deliver a successful product on time: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing. In each stage, a comprehensive roadmap is followed.
What are the top project management methodologies? There are many project management methodologies to follow; each method has its process and workflow.
- The traditional, sequential methodologies
- The Agile family
- The change management methodologies
- The process-based methodologies
- The PMBOK method
