Chasing the PMP
Photo by Sukanto Debnath via Flickr
I found a blog today titled “HISTORY of Linux and Minix” and found this particular post interesting. I think the author of this blog is anonymous, but they are giving some good advice for folks who are looking into PMI and the PMP exam in particular.
Check it out!
May 9th, 2009 at 4:30 am
Hi Josh,
Thanks for sharing this, as it gave me another opportunity to debunk the sham that I think PMI is perpetrating on the practice of project management, by allowing or encouraging claims that those who have their PMP are any more or better qualified than those who do not.
There is simply no credible research I have ever seen saying that those who have their PMP deliver projects more successfully than those who do not.
And from first hand experience, we are seeing more clients coming to the realization that having a critical mass of PMP’s does NOT result in projects being delivered on time, within budget, in substantial conformance to the specifications, while substantially meeting the objectives for which the project was undertaken in the first place.
In the end, the ONLY valid measurement of COMPETENT project managers can be found by following professional engineering,the medical profession or commercial airline piloting. Years of EXPERIENCE under the watchful eyes of a master practitioner.
Sorry folks, but IMPO, the PMP does not stand as evidence of a project manager being competent anymore than the Engineer In Training (EIT) exam stands as evidence that an engineer is competetent and qualified to approve (“stamp”) design drawings.
BR,
Dr. PDG, back in Jakarta from Qatar and Bahrain
Dr. Paul D. Giammalvo, CDT, CCE, MScPM,
Senior Technical Advisor, PT Mitratata Citragraha, Jakarta/Singapore/Anchorage/Amsterdam/Johannesburg http://www.getpmcertified.com
Adjunct Professor, Project/Program Management, Lille Graduate School of Management, Paris, FRANCE http://www.esc-lille.com
Curriculum Development Consultant/Adjunct Professor, Asset and Project Management, University of Western Australia, Perth, http://www.blendedlearning.ecm.uwa.edu.au
Board of Directors, Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS) Sydney, AUSTRALIA http://www.globalpmstandards.org
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May 9th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Thanks Dr. PDG.
We’ve been over this ground before, (1), (2), etc.
It still baffles me how your getpmcertified.com site offers what amounts to a PMP boot camp. I assume other people must work that.
A quote from me from earlier conversations:
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May 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Yes Josh,
It looks like we are pretty much in violent agreement on most of the FACTS.
I think the big difference is I feel as a lifelong project manager, that I have a moral and ethical obligation to speak out when I see postings such as Anonymous made, where all this person is doing is perpetuating a myth that PMI is more than happy to see spread.
I fault the organization for not being more truthful and forthcoming, first in explaining to people what the original purpose of the PMP was when it first started out, and secondly to debunk any claims that having a PMP results in better project management. Simply not true.
As to you point about the degree, given a choice between taking someone with a degree in project management (or business or any other discipline) and a knowledge based credential (such as the PMP) I will take the degree over the credential any day of the week.
BR,
Dr. PDG, happy to be back in Jakarta
http://www.getpmcertified.com
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Josh Nankivel Reply:
May 9th, 2009 at 9:32 am
“violent agreement”…. I love it!
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May 18th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
This is an interesting conversation to me. I came to this site becuase I wanted to get information on if I should seek a PMP certification.
I have a bachelors in Information Technology and a Masters Degree in Project Management.
I work in the information technology field for a major government contracting firm.
I am 48 years old and feel 25. I currently make well over the standard salary of a project manager. I use project management skills in my profession daily. I form project teams and live by the triple constraint appraoch.
I was wondering if a PMP credential should still be on my list of accomplishments or at this point in my career I am waisting my time.
The primary reason for persuing this credential is to meet a standard and form relationships with PM professionals.
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Josh Nankivel Reply:
May 19th, 2009 at 6:23 am
Some would say you are wasting your time. I wouldn’t.
Personally, I think any opportunity to learn and improve is beneficial. If you are not familiar with the PMI standard, you would become familiar with it through your studies.
As I always say, if you are doing it simply to memorize answers and pass the test, you probably are wasting your time. The PMP designation itself has value, but not much when compared to what I learned while going through the process of studying the concepts. In several cases I modified what I do on a daily basis because I found a better way.
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May 20th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Josh
After reading the emails you sent, now I understand this comment.
Thanks for your help.
By the way
I am in the interview process with a major communications company. My project managemet expreience and degree along with my IT degree has put me in the drivers seat.
I am not a project manager by hire but I use these techniques as the foundation of my work process.
My knowledge makes me a major player in the industry. My techniques make me a super star.
Think I will persue the PMP Certification, to stay current with trends.
Thanks for your direction Josh
You have been a great help
Clement
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