Project management is a highly rewarding field if you invest correctly in ensuring you have the knowledge and skills required to excel. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience working across various industries, you will always have something you can learn. An effective way to do this is to leverage certification programs, as these help you stay current on the newest methodologies and trends in the industry.
When you begin your research on the ideal certification out there, however, you are likely to end up confused by the myriad of options that exist. That’s why we’ve created a list of the ideal associate-level and mid-weight project management certifications to help you make the right decision with ease. Ready? Let’s dive in.
1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Any time someone offers a list of the top project management certifications, you can almost be sure they will throw the PMP certification somewhere in there. In truth, this is one of the most popular certifications on a global scale. But just because it has the power to make you a bona fide project management practitioner doesn’t mean you should just go ahead to take it without understanding what it’s about.
The PMP certification is a project management certification issued by the Project Management Institute. Make sure you take your PMP Certification course from a Registered Education Provider (REP) like RocketCert or one of the Authorised Training Organisations (ATOs). Taking your course from a recognised provider ensures you are studying the right content as you prepare for your exam.
Keep in mind that this certification isn’t specific to a certain methodology or standard. Instead, it will equip you with a range of management skills that you can apply to a range of businesses or use to seek employment across different sectors.
2. Six Sigma Qualifications
The Six Sigma is a mid-level certification that’s based on a system which seeks to improve products and services by reducing defects, improving processes, and boosting efficiency. This results in a higher quality of items and services, which, in turn, promotes customer satisfaction. In addition to benefiting customers, the Six Sigma certification also benefits project managers, employees, and the company as a whole.
One of the main benefits of Six Sigma that makes it rise above other initiatives like Total Quality Management (TQM) is its comprehensive framework. There are several levels of certification under Six Sigma, and they are based on martial arts bands (you won’t have to get all stretchy to achieve these, though!) These levels of certification are:
- White Belt
- Yellow Belt
- Green Belt
- Black Belt
- Master Black Belt
Just like in martial arts, each tier represents a higher degree of sophistication and expertise.
3. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Alongside PMP, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is one of the most popular accreditations from the Project Management Institute (PMI). It’s a certification that’s typically ideal for entry-level project managers, administrators, project coordinators, and project stakeholders. It addresses fundamental project management elements, including management processes, cost, time, scope and risk management, project lifecycles, and effective communication with stakeholders.
Even though the CAPM exam is meant for intermediate levels of project management, it’s undeniably challenging. As such, you will need thorough preparation to make it through.
4. Agile Project Management (AgilePM)
This tech-focused, entry-level certification is what you need to enable fast, flexible, and controlled project delivery. Getting this certification means you’ve mastered the Agile methodology, which is built on the concept of “agility with rigour”.
It’s highly recommended to get an AgilePM Foundation certification if you want to acquire an advanced level of knowledge that you can use to contribute to the successful delivery of agile projects. Getting this certification will also strengthen your ability to respond to rapidly changing business environments.
Which One Will You Choose?
The certifications mentioned in this post are all fantastic choices if you are at the intermediate and associate levels of project management. Our recommendation is to consider your needs first, and then you can choose the certification that fits the bill. One thing you can be sure about, nonetheless, is that you’ll never go wrong with PMP.
Just be sure to get it from a highly reputable provider like rocketcert.com, and you will soon be on your way to excellence in project management!
