How to Become a Project Manager
So, you want to be a project manager? It’s a mix of learning the ropes, getting hands-on experience, and snagging some key certifications. Let’s break down why those certifications matter and which courses can give you a leg up.
Why Certifications Matter
Certifications are like gold stars for your resume. They show you know your stuff and can handle the heat. A survey by KPMG Cyprus and the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that 55% of employers look for these qualifications when hiring. Plus, 72% of Project Management Office leaders say certifications are a must for mid-career pros. So, if you want to stand out, getting certified is a no-brainer.
| Certification | Employer Priority (%) | PMO Leader Advocacy (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant Qualifications | 55 | 72 |
Top Project Management Courses
Picking the right course can change your career game. Here are some top picks:
PMP Certification
The PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification is the big cheese in project management. With over a billion certificate holders worldwide, it’s the go-to certification (ProofHub). It covers all the essential skills and knowledge you need to manage projects like a pro.
For more details, check out my article on project management professional (pmp).
CompTIA Project+
If you’re just starting out, the CompTIA Project+ certification is a great choice. It covers the basics and ensures you can handle small to medium-sized projects. It’s perfect for newbies looking to get their feet wet in project management.
Learn more about the requirements in our project management job requirements article.
PRINCE2 Certificates
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a big deal, especially in Europe. It’s all about a process-based approach to keep projects on track. There are two levels: Foundation for beginners and Practitioner for those with some experience.
For a deeper dive, check out our project management methodologies page.
By getting these certifications, you’ll not only boost your skills but also make yourself more attractive to employers. If you’re looking for something more specialized, consider Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
For more info on specialized certifications, visit my section on specialized project management certifications. Investing in the right courses can set you up for success and help you become a top-notch project manager.
My Recommended PMP and Prince2 Courses
I recommend Edureka – Live Online Training for these certifications.
Popular Project Management Certifications
Want to give your project management career a serious boost? Getting the right certification can be a game-changer. Let’s check out three of the top project management certifications: PMP, CompTIA Project+, and PRINCE2.
PMP Certification Overview
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is like the Rolls-Royce of project management credentials. With over a million certificate holders worldwide, it’s often seen as the gold standard in the industry. It’s especially popular in places like the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and Australia.
The PMP exam has 200 questions you need to tackle in four hours. It covers everything from Project Initiation to Project Closing (LinkedIn). This certification teaches you project leadership skills, including Agile, predictive, and hybrid approaches, to handle complex projects like a pro (Simpliaxis).
| Exam Details | PMP Certification |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Areas Covered | Project Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing |
For more details about the PMP certification, check out my article on Project Management Professional (PMP).
CompTIA Project+ Examination
The CompTIA Project+ certification is perfect for those who juggle smaller, less complex projects as part of their job but still need solid project management skills. It’s more entry-level compared to PMP, making it a great starting point for newbies.
The Project+ exam covers the basics, like project constraints, tools and documentation, project stages, and roles and responsibilities. It’s especially useful for validating your skills across various sectors.
While it might not have the same global recognition as PMP or PRINCE2, the CompTIA Project+ certification is well-regarded for its thorough coverage of fundamental project management principles.
PRINCE2 Certificates
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is another big name, especially in the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia (LinkedIn). It offers a structured project management method that breaks projects into manageable stages.
There are two main levels of PRINCE2 certification: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation exam has 60 multiple-choice questions to be done in 60 minutes, and you need 55% to pass. The Practitioner level builds on this and focuses on applying PRINCE2 to real-life projects.
| Exam Details | PRINCE2 Foundation | PRINCE2 Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 60 | 68 |
| Duration | 1 hour | 2.5 hours |
| Passing Score | 55% | 55% |
Certified project managers, including those with PRINCE2 and PMP certifications, earn about 20% more than their non-certified peers (LinkedIn). For more info on PRINCE2, visit our page on project management certifications.
Choosing the right certification can set you on a promising career path. For more tips on becoming a project manager, check out my guide on how to become a project manager.
Getting Started in Project Management
Jumping into project management often kicks off with entry-level gigs that lay down the groundwork for your career. Let’s see how you can rack up experience in these roles and what kind of paycheck you might bring home.
Gaining Experience
Experience is the name of the game if you want to climb the project management ladder. Entry-level roles like project coordinator, assistant project manager, associate project manager, or junior project manager are your stepping stones. These positions let you get your hands dirty with real project tasks, rub elbows with seasoned project managers, and pick up crucial skills.
- Project Coordinator: Helps project managers keep things on track, handling scheduling, resource juggling, and keeping everyone in the loop.
- Assistant Project Manager: Backs up the project manager in planning, executing, and wrapping up projects, making sure everything’s done on time and within budget.
- Associate Project Manager: Takes on more responsibility by managing smaller projects or specific parts of bigger ones, all under the watchful eye of a senior project manager.
- Junior Project Manager: Runs small projects solo, honing leadership and project management chops.
Internships and project management training programs are goldmines for practical experience and networking. Many companies offer project management internships that give you a taste of the real world and a chance to learn from the pros.
What You Can Earn
Paychecks for entry-level project management roles can swing based on where you are, the industry you’re in, and your own qualifications. According to Coursera, here’s what you might expect to earn in the US:
| Position | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | $60,889 |
| Assistant Project Manager | $65,000 |
| Associate Project Manager | $70,000 |
| Junior Project Manager | $76,510 |
As you stack up experience and move up the ranks, your salary will likely get a nice boost. For a deeper dive into what you can earn at different stages, check out my article on project management salary.
Starting in an entry-level role and building your experience can set you up for more senior positions in project management. Whether you’re gunning for a senior project manager spot or aiming to be the director of project management, the skills and know-how you pick up early on will be your best allies.
For more tips on climbing the career ladder and the qualifications you’ll need, take a look at my articles on project management job requirements and project management skills.
Climbing the Project Management Ladder
Moving up in project management means grabbing more responsibility and stepping into leadership roles. For young pros, aiming for titles like Senior Project Manager or Director of Project Management can bring both challenges and sweet rewards.
Senior Project Managers
Senior Project Managers are the captains of complex projects, making sure everything’s on track and within budget. To snag this role, you need hands-on experience, some solid project management knowledge (think courses or certifications), and sharp managerial skills. Certified Project Managers, like those with PRINCE2 or PMP certifications, can rake in about 20% more than those without.
| Role | Average Salary (US) |
|---|---|
| Senior Project Manager | $153,697 |
Want to know more about the project manager career path or the skills you need? Check out our detailed guides.
Director of Project Management
Directors of Project Management are the big-picture folks, making sure the project management team aligns with the company’s goals. They juggle multiple project managers and ensure projects run smoothly.
| Role | Average Salary (US) |
|---|---|
| Director of Project Management | $195,729 |
To become a Director, you need loads of experience in team building, strong business sense, and often an MBA. This role can be a launchpad to even higher positions like Vice President of Operations or Chief Operating Officer, with average salaries of $226,106 and $307,346, respectively.
For more on job requirements and qualifications, dive into our comprehensive resources.
By climbing the project management ladder, you can unlock new opportunities, fatter paychecks, and more clout within your organization. Whether it’s through certifications or practical experience, there are many ways to succeed in this exciting field.
Specialized Project Management Certifications
In project management, specialized certifications can really boost your skills and career. Let’s dive into two big ones: Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
The Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is perfect for those of us working in agile settings. This certification covers a bunch of methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP), and test-driven development (TDD). It focuses on seven key areas:
- Agile principles and mindset
- Value-driven delivery
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team performance
- Adaptive planning
- Problem detection and resolution
- Continuous improvement
The ACP certification is great for anyone on an agile team or in an agile organization, giving you a solid grasp of agile project management. Want to know more about agile methods? Check out my article on agile project management.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, also from PMI, is a stepping stone to the more advanced Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. This one’s for folks who might not have a college degree or much project management experience. It covers the basics of project management, making it a great starting point for newbies.
Key points about CAPM:
- No college degree needed
- Perfect for entry-level project managers
- Covers basic project management principles
The CAPM certification lays a strong foundation in project management, setting you up for more advanced certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP). For a step-by-step guide on getting started, visit our page on how to become a project manager.
| Certification | Ideal For | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) | Agile team members | Agile principles, Stakeholder engagement, Team performance, and more |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Entry-level project managers | Basic project management principles |
By going after these specialized certifications, you can sharpen your project management skills and unlock new career opportunities. For more resources, check out my articles on project management training and project management skills.
Picking the Perfect Project Management Course
Choosing the right project management course is a big step toward becoming a successful project manager. Let’s talk about why the reputation of the institution matters and how course content has changed over the years.
Credibility of Institutions
When you’re picking a project management course, the reputation of the school offering it is super important. The value of your certification depends a lot on how well-regarded the institution is. A good school is one that’s known and respected in the project management world. It should have a history of producing successful project managers and be accredited by industry bodies.
Top-notch institutions usually have experienced lecturers who know their stuff. These teachers mix real-world project management experience with solid academic knowledge, giving you a well-rounded education.
To help you choose the right school, check out:
- Accreditation by industry bodies like the Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Reviews and testimonials from former students
- The qualifications and experience of the teaching staff
- The school’s partnerships with industry leaders
Course Curriculum Evolution
Project management courses have come a long way. Back in the 1980s, they mostly focused on scheduling, budgeting, and control. But now, the scope has broadened to include a bunch of essential skills and knowledge areas.
Modern project management courses cover topics like:
- Project Stakeholder Management
- Risk Management
- Resource Management
- Procurement Management
- Quality Management
- Communications Management
This change reflects the growing complexity and demands of project management today.
| Decade | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| 1980s | Scheduling, Budgeting, Control |
| 2000s | Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Resource Management, Procurement Management, Quality Management, Communications Management |
When you’re looking at a project management course, make sure the curriculum covers these modern aspects. Look for courses that offer:
- Comprehensive modules on different project management methodologies, like Agile and Waterfall
- Practical, hands-on experience with project management tools and software
- Opportunities for real-world application through internships or apprenticeships
By considering the reputation of the school and the evolution of the course content, you can make a smart choice when picking the best project management course for your career goals.
