More than a quarter of enterprises are organising most of their work in projects. Because of the growing acceptance of project work there is growing need for qualified staff for managing projects. But there has been much debate within the field of project management as to whether it satisfies criteria for status as a profession. Morris and Pinto reported that development and recognition of a distinct profession of project management has certainly been a strong driver in the development of standards for project management. “A body of knowledge, standards and related assessment and qualification processes can therefore be seen as essential building blocks in the formation and recognition of a profession.”
According to Kuster et al. there are two main organisations certifying project management skills: International Project Management Association (IPMA) and Project Management Institute (PMI). The scope of this term paper is to verify the truth of this statement and to provide a critical and comparative market overview about different project management certifications as well as certification methods.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Project Management Organisations, Knowledge Standards and Guides
3. Project Management Certifications
3.1. IPMA
3.1.1. About IPMA
3.1.2. Certification Levels
3.1.3. Certification Process
3.2. PMI
3.2.1. About PMI
3.2.2. Certification Levels
3.2.3. Certification Process
3.3. Other Global Accepted Certifications
3.3.1. AIPM
3.3.2. P2M
4. Comparing Project Management Qualifications
5. Conclusions
Objectives and Research Focus
This term paper provides a critical and comparative market overview of global project management certifications and the methodologies behind them. It aims to verify the prevalence of major certifying bodies and evaluate how different standards and qualification levels structure the professional landscape of project management.
- Analysis of major project management organisations (IPMA, PMI, AIPM, PMAJ)
- Comparison of certification standards, levels, and assessment methodologies
- Evaluation of the historical development and influence of key bodies of knowledge (PMBOK, ICB, P2M)
- Assessment of the current state and fragmentation of the global certification market
Excerpt from the Book
3. Project Management Certifications
As already cited Kuster et al. cover only two organisations certifying project management skills: International Project Management Association (IPMA) and Project Management Institute (PMI). As we could see Morris and Pinto provide additionally the PMAJ, former PMCC, which certify project management skills based on the P2M. According to Pannenbäcker et al. the already mentioned project management knowledge standards and guides APM BoK, the ICB and associated National Competency Baselines (NCBs) form the basis for the IPMA’s four-level certification program. There are also a number of standards for aspects of project management that are provided in languages other than English, but these are not part of this paper, because their application tends to be limited to their country of origin. The Japanese P2M is an exception, as an English translation of a significant part of the standard has been widely distributed.
For the purpose of managing international projects in the global economic and financial environment the focus of this paper will be on the certification bodies IPMA and PMI. But the author will also give a short introduction of P2M and AIPM – Australian Institute of Project Management, which is endorsed by the Australian Government on 1st July 1996.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the growing need for professional project management certification and outlines the paper's scope to critically review major industry organisations.
2. Project Management Organisations, Knowledge Standards and Guides: Examines essential global standards and the role of bodies of knowledge like PMBOK and ICB in shaping the profession.
3. Project Management Certifications: Provides an in-depth look at the structures, levels, and assessment processes of IPMA, PMI, and other globally recognized certification bodies.
4. Comparing Project Management Qualifications: Offers a comparative overview of how different organisations evaluate candidates through various examination and certification paths.
5. Conclusions: Discusses the market complexity, the need for global approaches, and the role of alliances like GAPPS in moving towards standardized recognition.
Keywords
Project Management, IPMA, PMI, Certification, PMBOK Guide, ICB, P2M, Professionalism, Competency, Standards, Assessment, Global Market, Project Management Association, Qualification, Career Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper provides a critical, comparative market overview of international project management certification bodies, standards, and the methodologies used to assess professional competence.
Which key organizations are analyzed in this research?
The study primarily focuses on the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and the Project Management Institute (PMI), with supplementary insights into the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and the Project Management Association of Japan (PMAJ).
What is the core research goal of this work?
The objective is to verify the dominance of key certification organizations and provide a clear, comparative analysis of how different standards and qualification levels impact the project management profession.
What scientific methodology is applied in this paper?
The author employs a literature-based comparative analysis, synthesizing existing standards, bodies of knowledge, and organizational certification frameworks to evaluate the current state of the global market.
What content is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body details the historical background of bodies of knowledge (such as PMBOK), explains specific certification levels, compares assessment processes, and examines the structure of national member associations.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Core keywords include Project Management, IPMA, PMI, Certification, PMBOK Guide, Competency, Standards, and Professionalism.
How does the IPMA certification system differ from the PMI approach?
IPMA utilizes a four-level competency-based system (Levels A-D) that includes assessments via reports and interviews, whereas PMI offers specific credential programs (like PMP or CAPM) primarily focused on exam-based validation of knowledge and experience.
What is the significance of the P2M standard mentioned in the text?
P2M is identified as a unique Japanese standard that expands the scope of project management beyond individual projects to include program management, enterprise innovation, and corporate strategy.
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- Alexej Antropov (Autor:in), 2011, Project Management Certification: a Critical Market Overview, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179247
