Project management is an art, a science, and a bit of magic. Project managers juggle timelines, budgets, people, and a million other things to deliver projects that meet objectives, delight stakeholders, and make everyone feel like they’re part of something big and important. And while the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a great accolade to have, it’s not the be-all and end-all of being a great project manager. In fact, many project managers have achieved great success without ever setting foot in a PMP exam center.
Why is that? Well, let’s look at the riddle that started this tale of wisdom.
“I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but I need water to live. What am I?”
The answer to the riddle is a fire. Fires need air and fuel (in this case, water) to grow and live. But it’s not alive, per se.
And that’s the point. PMP certification is like the fire: it needs the right inputs to grow and thrive. But it’s not the be-all and end-all of being a great project manager. It needs the right project manager to grow and thrive.
Just like how fires need air and fuel, PMP certification needs experience, skills, and knowledge to make it work. A PMP certificate is only as valuable as the project manager who holds it. If you don’t have the right combination of experience, skills, and knowledge, a PMP certificate is just a piece of paper.
So, if you’re thinking of getting PMP certified, go ahead. It’s a great accolade to have. But don’t forget: being a great project manager is about more than just a certificate. It’s about having the right experience, skills, and knowledge to deliver great results. And that’s something that you can’t learn from a book or a test center.
In conclusion, PMP certification is not the end-all, be-all of project management. While it’s a great accolade to have, it’s only as valuable as the project manager who holds it. If you’re thinking of getting PMP certified, go for it! But remember that being a great project manager is about more than just a certificate. It’s about having the right combination of experience, skills, and knowledge to deliver great results.
