Project Management Certificate

[Anonymous]

Will a degree in Econ along with a certification in project management make a candidate much more attractive to government contractors? The program is through the Graduate School on Maryland Avenue SW. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Yes, PMPs are a "tick the box" item for gov't contracting

[Anonymous]

Is the Graduate School program the best option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, PMPs are a "tick the box" item for gov't contracting

PMP is different than a "certificate". I don't know the answer to OPs question but the two shouldn't be confused.

[Anonymous]

for govt contracting yes, but I will tell you that I have an office full of PMP that don't know shit and don't even manage. They are glorified admin assistants.

[Anonymous]

What is PMP?

[Anonymous]

Project Management Professional with certification by the Project Management Institute. The program is offered at Graduateschool.edu. It this an attractive skill set by HR managers? Will having the certification (or in the process of completing the program) boost hiring salary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for govt contracting yes, but I will tell you that I have an office full of PMP that don't know shit and don't even manage. They are glorified admin assistants.

NP. Not surprised. Still trying to figure out what value add our Project Manager brings to the project. Though I do partly blame the company for assigning folks to manage projects where they have no actual experience with the technology involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for govt contracting yes, but I will tell you that I have an office full of PMP that don't know shit and don't even manage. They are glorified admin assistants.

NP. Not surprised. Still trying to figure out what value add our Project Manager brings to the project. Though I do partly blame the company for assigning folks to manage projects where they have no actual experience with the technology involved.

I am assuming you are technicAl. Would you rather be managing the tasks , schedule, estimating & allocating hours, collaborating with other teams, reporting status to various levels, running financial reports and managing budgets and metrics yourself? That's what a Project Manager does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for govt contracting yes, but I will tell you that I have an office full of PMP that don't know shit and don't even manage. They are glorified admin assistants.

NP. Not surprised. Still trying to figure out what value add our Project Manager brings to the project. Though I do partly blame the company for assigning folks to manage projects where they have no actual experience with the technology involved.

I am assuming you are technicAl. Would you rather be managing the tasks , schedule, estimating & allocating hours, collaborating with other teams, reporting status to various levels, running financial reports and managing budgets and metrics yourself? That's what a Project Manager does.

No. But that may be the problem - our Project Manager doesn't seem to know enough to do a decent job at managing tasks, schedules or estimates either. I equate it to building a house - while a good general contractor will sub out significant portions (if not all) of the work, they will be knowledgeable enough about the process to understand what work is required in the jobs they are subbing out. You can't just hire an IT project manager to oversee your building project and expect things to run as well as they would with a PM who actually understands the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for govt contracting yes, but I will tell you that I have an office full of PMP that don't know shit and don't even manage. They are glorified admin assistants.

NP. Not surprised. Still trying to figure out what value add our Project Manager brings to the project. Though I do partly blame the company for assigning folks to manage projects where they have no actual experience with the technology involved.

I am assuming you are technicAl. Would you rather be managing the tasks , schedule, estimating & allocating hours, collaborating with other teams, reporting status to various levels, running financial reports and managing budgets and metrics yourself? That's what a Project Manager does.

No. But that may be the problem - our Project Manager doesn't seem to know enough to do a decent job at managing tasks, schedules or estimates either. I equate it to building a house - while a good general contractor will sub out significant portions (if not all) of the work, they will be knowledgeable enough about the process to understand what work is required in the jobs they are subbing out. You can't just hire an IT project manager to oversee your building project and expect things to run as well as they would with a PM who actually understands the process.

Well then it is the problem with your PMO or project management office for not defining the tasks that are relevant and high priority for your line of business. Project mgmt is a very portable skill but is effective only if tailored adequately to meet business needs. Your PMO & exec leadership should be coming up with standards and processes that are customized to your workflow and reporting needs.

[Anonymous]

PRINCE2 anyone?

OP it all depends on your field and how globally strategic you want your skill set to be (even after gov't. contracting). It really comes down to PRINCE2 (UK, Europe, etc) vs. PMP (USA).

Personally, I was turned off by the 'dryness' of PMP and just went and did a development related PhD instead, but then that's me Glad I did though because a PhD stays with you when certification fads have run their course (pun intended). I vote for PRINCE2 but see what suits you:

http://www.simplilearn.com/resources/project-management/prince2-vs-pmp-the-battle-of-certifications

https://www.prince2.com/blog/prince2-itil-or-pmp-which-certification-right-you

[Anonymous]

I'm biased I suppose, because I'm a tech manager in a technology firm, but a PMP is a red flag for me. It means that someone takes the project management side of things way too serious. Much better to focus on actually understanding what the project is about.

Managing a project should be done by someone who knows the technology, assisted by an administrative-type PM who does the paperwork. Many PMPs find themselves to good for that role and think they can actually run a project.

[Anonymous]

I ave a project management certificate from Georgetown but no PMP certification. Do I need to get PMP? Ugh. So many degrees, certs, and abbreviations after people's names!

[Anonymous]

Yes, sit for the exam. Pass it and then ask for a raise or bonus. Good luck.