PMcrunch

Project managers got to be project managers from a variety of career paths. Many of us have become specialists in certain areas, such as earned value, or scheduling, or critical path methods, or other such specialized techniques within the project management skill set. However, many others of us got here because it represented an opportunity to actually broaden skill sets and qualify us for other positions.

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Often times in our careers, we feel stuck or stalled, whether in our organization, department, career, or even personal lives. One thing that we can do is to take a good hard look at what it might be that has us stuck. Then identify a problem, or opportunity, and start a project around it!

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Many people who consider getting into the project management profession are also considering other options, such as earning a degree perhaps in project management. There are also certificate programs where students earn a certificate in project management. The options for programs like this are many. Earning a certificate could include going to school full time, night school, or various online courses. Another option is simply to take some kind of training in the classroom, or online, or maybe in independent study groups, or some combination of those, and simply earn a certification like the PMP Certification.

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There are many posts in the forums and blogs on the topic of whether it is better to go for a PMP or MBA. I think there is great value in both, but I think they serve 2 different purposes. Having earned both a PMP and an MBA, I have some definite thoughts on this, but of course in the end it is a personal decision.

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In today’s fast-paced environment, human resources and talent management are of prime importance and concern in virtually all organizations.  The pace of change makes matching job skills with assignments very challenging.  Many organizations have responded with a "learning function" within the organization.  Let’s look at how this trend and how you can ensure the strong project [...]

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It is actually very easy for serious professionals to earn PDUs and maintain PMP and PgMP certification. The PMI provides many opportunities to earn the required 60 PDUs every 3 years, such that it really can be accomplished fairly easily doing many of the things a project management or program management professional would be doing regardless of the requirement! Here is a short summary of the key points related to PMP and PgMP credential maintenance and earning PDUs.

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The Certified Assoicate in Project Management (CAPM) certification credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI) does not require ongoing education to earn PDUs, but it does not last forever. Reviewing the renewal requirements, however, one would think that any candidate who is working in the project management field should strongly consider going for the PMP certification, and renew the CAPM as a second resort.

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There are many ways to earn the 60 PDUs required to maintain PMP certification. Many PMPs consider this to be a challenge. However, with proper planning (remember, we are PMPs!), earning those PDUs can become a part of your regular professional life and can be a breeze. Here’s how.

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Many project managers wonder if there is a better job for them out there. We are always trying to better ourselves and our situations, but never quite seem to get exactly where we want to be. Much is written about which industries are best, which skills transfer, the benefits of certification, and much more. I would argue that introspection, or a look on the inside, is at least as important as a look to the outside, as this is a personal decision driven more by personal factors than by external considerations.

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What is program management? How does program management differ from project management? How does program management relate to project portfolio management (PPM)? As program management is becoming more formalized in its own right, especially with the PMP’s PgMP certification, I thought I would see what is out there on the web to help answer these questions.

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