Is PMP certification required for my kind of profile?

Submitted by sukhoi on Fri, 11/29/2013 - 13:23

Dear Members,


I wanted your opinion regarding PMP as I am quite new to this subject. Let me just give you a brief outline about my career. I have over 16 years of work experience in various IT and Banking industries. All my experience is as a DBA (Database Administrator). As you know, DBA activity is more like an infrastructure services kind of job. I have done quite a few projects in this field which ranged from small departemental level projects to global projects like data center migrations, global database upgrades, Disaster Recovery setups, Database Maintenance Upgrade etc. Now, all of these large projects are kind of tasks within larger projects in the organisation. So, frankly, I haven't handled a project in the way that a project manager usually does.


In the last few years, I have been off of technical activities and more or less am managing a team of global DBAs and overseeing several projects for my organisation. Currently I am the global head of database services for a multinational financial organisation headquartered in NY, US. In this role, I am doing bits of project management plus lots of infrastructure management, people management, vendor management etc.


I am very much interested in going through with the PMP certification looking at the long term value of the certification. But my concern is that, in case, I am not able to maintain the certification for the next few years, then what happens? The concern is because, in infrastructure side, it will be difficult to apply the concepts of PMP. And I do not see myself gettin gout of my current role in the next two years at least. So, will I have to give the certification again and again? Can I apply the PMP concepts to my infrastructure projects and show it as project management done? How easy it is, after the certification, to move to a project managment role from my current role in an entirely different technology?


Appreciate your expert opinions.


Thanks in advance!!!


 

Forums: 
General Discussion
  • Log in to post comments
  • 1049 reads

diba_perfect

Sat, 11/30/2013 - 17:42

A PMP may not have immediate/direct benefits w.r.t. your current profile.

But since you're already in a tech management role, it can help you in communicating with other PMs across the organization. It also gives you a 360-degree view of how large sized engagements (e.g. in IT) are supposed to be run from start to finish. Additionally, if you're planning to move into a core PM role later, it'll showcase your seriousness about learning and applying processes and standards. 

Also, to maintain the certification, you have to earn a specific number of PDUs over the next 3 year period. And you don't necessarily have to be a practising PM to do that.

Hope this helps.

~ Diba

 

 

sukhoi

Mon, 12/02/2013 - 08:55

sukhoi

Mon, 12/02/2013 - 08:59

admin's picture

admin

Sun, 12/01/2013 - 12:02

PMP has some global concepts and it will help you in your current job also. Pick up some PMP book from your library and just check if the initial chapters , you will be surprized with how much more you can learn by doing PMP

Frances Tessler

Sat, 10/04/2014 - 13:44

You certainly qualify for the PMP. I am not certain what steps you have taken but hopefully you pursued your PMP and updated your resume to reflect your vast contributions to project management.
Recruiters want to see contributions that would benefit them.
I wish you all the best.

Jahanzeb Ashraf

Tue, 10/07/2014 - 21:09

As it lets PM's practice best practices in "Professional Project Management".
So many best/alternative approaches to manage projects, you discover through study of PMP Books.

Sandy10001

Wed, 10/08/2014 - 16:28

Sukhoi,
The PMP is a 'generalist' certification. That is, it isn't specific to certain types of projects or certain industries. You mention that you are managing people, infrastructure, and vendors. There is plenty of room for projects in these areas. You may need to initiate them yourself but they will also enhance your resume.

Once you pass the PMP exam you won't need to take it again as long as you keep your PDU's (education) current.

Best of luck.

KABANERJI

Thu, 10/09/2014 - 08:17

Hi,

Looking at your profile, I strongly feel PMP would be a great addition for you. The entire world is moving from functional matrix to mixed matrix with a strong inclination towards projects. PMP is not ONLY about managing projects. PMI goes a long way to make sure the processes recommended are really ones that make work more efficient and systematic, and that the processes really work! The professional ethics and social responsibility are really geared towards making the world a much better place for the future generations. PMI takes it's role quite seriously and does a great job!!

I would say, please go through PMBOK 5th Edition, you yourself would find many reasons why PMP would be helpful to your professional development.