Project Management Certification

Discussion in 'The Green Room' started by Azure, Nov 30, 2012.

  1. Azure

    Azure I could kick your ass

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    So I run a small consulting business on the side where I work with large construction companies helping their project management team basically get everything organized and in 'go' mode for approved projects, as well as helping them submit bids for potential projects.

    There is quite a lot of potential here for future work, and even further down the road perhaps a business opportunity.

    Problem is I'm at the point where I'm losing 'work' because I don't have the proper certification, and my past experience seems to go only so far considering certain companies look at my age and wonder how I could possibly have the experience that I claim to have on my work history when they request some documentation and references. :lol:

    There is a course that the University of Calgary offers which seems to be pretty straight forward. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

    http://www.ucalgary.ca/projectmanagement/PMC
  2. frontline

    frontline Hedonistic Glutton Staff Member Moderator

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    I dunno about their program, but if you can get your PMI certification you can basically write your own ticket with any major corporation. To be honest I'm burned out on project management. It's a good way to lose your hair.
  3. Volpone

    Volpone Zombie Hunter

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    In the US, the PMP is the way to go.

    Sadly that is largely because PMI has done such a good job of marketing it. The actual methodology was obsolete 30 years ago.

    So I've resisted spending thousands of dollars just so I can put three letters behind my name, even though I know it will make me money--on principle because I know the actual skills behind it are worthless.
  4. Azure

    Azure I could kick your ass

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    Are the skills you learn actually that worthless? I know at the moment I can do project management better than most of the 'certified' people I help, but I'm sure there are some things that I could benefit from.
  5. Azure

    Azure I could kick your ass

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    I don't mind the stress. Challenging, sure....but better than the 9-5 job that leads to nothing.

    I figure if I can get it done by next year, and stay with it for 10 years, I'll move to a management position, and hire others to do it for me.

    All part of my big plan to retire by the time I've 45. :bergman:
  6. Volpone

    Volpone Zombie Hunter

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    I have a friend. Smart guy. His niche is rescuing "red" projects. Is involved with PMI but has never gotten his PMP. A few years ago he got to the point where, to take his business to the next level, he needed to write a book. He spent a year or two shopping it around to publishers. One day he got a phone call from someone who wanted to publish it "but the marketing department has one question: are you a PMP?" He admitted he wasn't and they said they had to pass on the book. So he offered to go out and get his PMP and they published the book.

    About the first article he did on his Website, after passing the PMP test was to say how completely worthless the certification was, apart from as a marketing tool.

    The PMI methodology is a little like driving a freight train over a cliff. You get a "sponsor". You build a team. You define your scope. You draft a charter. You work your scope and charter. You complete the project to the terms of the charter. You close the project.

    Unfortunately if things change and a project with the defined scope is no longer needed or you find out something along the way that calls for radical change, there is no mechanism to get it done. I guess you can maybe go back and draft a new charter, but within the scope of the PMI "waterfall" it is a very static and non-iterative process. You work your way down the path to its end, damn the consequences.

    Nowdays "Scrum" and "Agile" are the sexy methodologies to get certified in. Of course HR people don't know a Scrum Master from a PMP. But they know the terms. And since it is a hirer's market, they put them in the position descriptions so I really should bite the bullet and get certified, but I'm being a stubborn dick. :shrug: What can I say? I'm stupid.
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