Project management determines the success and failure of a project. It doesn’t matter if a team can complete complex projects in as least time as possible, but without effective project management, it can collapse. While Project Managers come from various streams, certification as a professional will help employers find a better workforce. While certification is not generally required for Project Managers who deliver projects on time and are recognised, for one to get recognition or learn standards, accreditation is the way to go.
Project Management Professional Certification:
Acronym for PMP, Project Management Professional, is a certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to help Project Managers distinguish themselves, get globally recognised, to maintain standards that PMPs follow.
Great Project Managers are distinguished from good project managers based on their technical, leadership, strategic & business management practices; called as PMI Talent Triangle for better project management. Since PMPs are globally recognized and demanded, many project managers undergo PMP Training to prepare for the certification as well as earn 35 PDUs.
Current PMP certification follows the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), 6th Edition standards effective from 26 March 2018, focuses on ten modules involving project phases from Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Control to Closing for management processes namely:
1. Introduction and Integration Management
For this management process; initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, closing phases for the project come under it. Introduction Management is done in the initiation phase and is required again if there is a new person on-board with vital importance for the project.
2. Project Scope Management
For this management process; planning, monitoring and controlling phases are included to understand the project scope to plan accordingly and to ensure that scope defined is on schedule, and on track.
3. Project Schedule Management
For schedule management, it comes from project manager collaborating with stakeholders on the project start date, based on the contract period, deadline and plan accordingly.
4. Project Cost Management
Planning, Monitoring, and Control phases fall under the cost management process. Costs mainly occur during the planning phase where estimated effort hours versus price is set, as for monitoring and control involves costs for unexpected bugs or maintenance issues.
5. Project Quality Management
Planning, Executing, Monitoring, Control phases fall under quality management category. Clients expect reliable, quality service for projects ensuring all requirements are met, various factors are taken into consideration. Starting from the planning phase to development of the product to monitoring and controlling, quality has to be ensured.
This is why Project Quality Management is an essential part of PMP Exam Prep Course across different institutions.
6. Project Resource Management
Planning, Executing phases consist of managing resources as for ensuring required members exist for project development or such. Even though resources are needed at all stages, it is the project manager, who initiates, monitors, controls and closes the project.
7. Project Communications Management
Communications Management processes fall under executing, monitoring, controlling phases as effective communication and collaboration are needed for successful management of the project. PMs have to ensure that the client receives the information they need (Ex: Project Status Reports), help team gather required information from the client to proceed further (Ex: Credentials or validating MVP).
8. Project Risk Management
Risk Management has to be done under the planning phase by project managers to ensure that scope, plan made includes risks and budgeting for risks that can arise. PMs avoid risks at the initial stage of the projects itself by identifying, eliminating if any.
9. Project Procurement Management
Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, along with Closing phases constitute of procurement management processes. From planning and identifying required procurements to taking action, controlling and closing procurements fall under this process.
10. Project Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder Management is involved in every phase of the project excluding the closing phase where the project is closed and handed over. In the Initiating phase, PMs get to know various stakeholders involved in the project for better communication followed by planning, executing, monitoring and controlling phases where respective stakeholders are notified about the progress.
Summary
Hope you got a clear idea about the various phases involved in project management for PMP Certification. If you are looking to become a PMP, you should undergo PMP Training, to revise your project management skills and earn 35 PDUs which are necessary for attempting the certification exam. Best of luck!
Author: Ayush Chawla
Ayush Chawla is a digital marketer. Get in touch with him through this blog.
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