While having any project management certification is good, some are more specialised. It's important to understand which educational outcomes support your future career and which ones are tailored for specific industries or job environments.
If you're stimulated by overseeing complex projects, a career as a Project Manager might be your calling. These professionals are in high demand because they possess a unique skill set crucial for businesses of all sizes. As the competition for these coveted positions intensifies, understanding the job description, tasks, required skills, and potential earnings becomes crucial.
What Does a Project Manager Do?
A Project Manager is the captain steering the ship of projects within an organisation. Your role in this field involves expert project planning, team communication, and meticulous task scheduling.
While a project manager may not engage in hands-on project tasks, you still need knowledge of resourcing and project management. This entails setting objectives, assigning tasks, and monitoring the initiative's progress, all while managing budgets and resources.
Common tasks and duties of a project manager include:
- Collaborating with team members to ensure everyone meets deadlines.
- Identifying and resolving issues with the project team.
- Submitting project deliverables within set deadlines and quality standards.
- Creating and presenting status reports.
- Establishing clear communication channels.
- Managing changes in budget, timeframes, and deliverables.
- Monitoring customer feedback.
- Evaluating and measuring project success and shortcomings.
Skills Required for Project Managers
To thrive in the role of a professional project manager, you need a specific skill set, including:
- Tertiary qualifications in business, project management, or similar.
- Minimum 2 years of proven project management experience.
- Leadership skills for guiding project teams.
- Understanding of formal project management methodologies.
- Timely project completion ability.
- Budget management expertise.
- Self-driven and results-oriented.
- Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Strong time management.
- Ability to see the big picture and break it into manageable parts.
Types of Organisations Project Managers Work In
Project Managers are versatile and can find opportunities in various sectors such as:
- Logistics and supply chain management.
- Software companies as IT project managers.
- Construction and engineering firms.
- Transportation companies.
- Marketing/advertising agencies.
PRINCE2 is a project management methodology that is widely utilised across the world by individuals and organisations from various industries and sectors. It is a versatile strategy that walks you through the fundamentals of managing successful projects of any size or scope.
What is the Earning Potential of a Project Manager?
The typical annual salary for a Project Manager in London, United Kingdom, is £52,478. Additionally, Project Managers in this location receive an average cash compensation of £4,416, ranging from £2,238 to £8,717.
Becoming a Project Manager
As the demand for effective Project Managers continues to rise, embarking on this career path opens doors to exciting opportunities across various industries.
Project management is continually changing, adapting to the needs of the economy and society.
Project professionals learn new skills to innovate and achieve results. What will shape project management in 2023 and beyond? Here are simple predictions:
- Power Skills Matter Most: Success in project management depends on people skills. Communication, teamwork, and leadership are crucial. Companies focusing on these power skills see better results.
- Data Literacy is Essential: Understanding data becomes vital. Data science skills, including data management and analytics, are a top priority for talent development. Project managers need to manage and gain insights from the growing amount of data.
- Culturally Responsive Leadership: Project leaders must embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Collaboration with diverse backgrounds is key. Leaders need skills to hire, train, and build diverse teams, fostering a multicultural environment.
- AI Growth, but Not Replacement: Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue growing, especially in cybersecurity. However, AI won't replace project managers. Human strategic competency is crucial in managing project complexity.
- ESG and Project Management Together: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives are on the rise. Project managers will play a role in leading these efforts, ensuring standardisation and maturity for successful outcomes.
Despite challenges, the future of project management offers exciting opportunities across industries. Project managers contribute to shaping impactful projects in space, healthcare, manufacturing, and more.
So, which project management certification is right for you?
Each certification serves a different purpose, has specific requirements, and tests different things. So, the main question you should ask is, "Which project management certification is the best fit for me?"
Which project management certification is right for me? Certifications are categorised into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and expert.
- A beginner certification has no prerequisites, making it suitable for those new to project management or without any prior accreditation.
- Intermediate certifications vary, with some serving as extensions of beginner certifications and others targeting working professionals with a few months of project management experience. In this context, intermediate certifications have some entry requirements but don't demand expert-level proficiency.
- Expert certifications are rare, serving more as a badge of excellence for project managers deeply engaged in project management theory rather than offering extensive learning opportunities.
Entry-level project management certifications
Courses in the entry-level project management certifications category have no prerequisites and are suitable for individuals new to project management or those with some prior experience aiming to obtain their initial certification.
Courses in the entry-level project management certifications category have no prerequisites and are suitable for individuals new to project management or those with some prior experience aiming to obtain their initial certification.
APM PFQ: The Association for Project Management provides the Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ), an excellent certification for newcomers to project management.
PRINCE2 Foundation: Considered the industry standard in the UK, PRINCE2 certification is popular among new project managers. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification assesses knowledge of PRINCE2 principles, practices, processes, and terminology. The typical learning path involves a 2-day PRINCE2 Foundation course.
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation: With the increasing prevalence of agile projects in the UK, PRINCE2 Agile certifications gaining popularity. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, designed for those in agile environments, tests knowledge of the core PRINCE2 methodology and agile concepts. The typical learning path includes a 2-day PRINCE2 Agile Foundation course.
AgilePM Foundation: The AgilePM Foundation certification from the Agile Business Consortium, popular globally, especially in the UK, is suitable for those primarily working in agile environments. Based on DSDM, one of the first agile methodologies, it assesses knowledge of the underlying agile project framework. The typical learning path involves a 3-day AgilePM Foundation course.
PMI CAPM: Offered by the Project Management Institute, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification evaluates knowledge of project management fundamentals and common terminology. Eligibility requires a secondary degree and at least 23 hours of project management education before the exam. CAPM is more popular in the USA, Canada, Africa, and Asia. The typical learning path includes a 35-hour CAPM course.
Intermediate Project Management Certifications
Intermediate project certifications come with specific entry requirements, varying in complexity from easier to more challenging.
- APM PMQ: The Association for Project Management offers the Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ), assessing a more profound understanding of project management. Typically taken by students with a few years' project management experience, there is no prerequisite for this certification. The learning path involves a 5-day APM PMQ course, or 35 hours of online study.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner: Building upon the PRINCE2 Foundation, this certification tests the application of PRINCE2 to life-like project scenarios. It is considered a top project management certification in the UK. To gain PRINCE2 Practitioner, a 2-day course (15 hours online) is recommended, with the option to combine it with the Foundation course in a 4-day (35 hours online) training.
- PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner: Requiring PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, this certification is suitable for those working in agile environments. The exam assesses the ability to apply PRINCE2 in an agile context. The learning path involves a 2-day PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner course, or 21 hours online, with an option to combine it with PRINCE2 Agile Foundation for a 4-day (33 hours online) training.
- AgilePM Practitioner: With a prerequisite of AgilePM Foundation, this certification is for applying the agile project framework. It is popular among project managers in agile contexts. The recommended learning path is a 1-day course (15 hours online), with an option to combine it with AgilePM Foundation in a 4-day (35 hours online) training.
- CompTIA Project+: Focused on managing small IT projects, this certification from CompTIA has no prerequisites. However, 135 hours of recommended IT project development experience is advised for better understanding.
- PMI PMP: Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification from PMI is the most challenging. Eligibility requires 3 years of project management experience (or 5 years without a degree) and at least 35 hours of project management education. The PMP exam covers various aspects of project management. To gain PMP certification, a typical learning path involves a 35-hour PMP course.
Advanced Project Management Certifications
Few certifications surpass the difficulty level of those previously discussed. If you aspire to work as a project manager or are already employed in such a role, an intermediate certificate is typically sufficient.
- APM ChPP: The APM's Project Management Chartered Standard (ChPP) examination spans 3 days. The initial 2 days involve coaching by a ChPP project professional and organising paperwork. On the final day, you undergo an interview with a board, presenting comprehensive documentation of your work over several years. The board assesses your ability to overcome setbacks in your project management career with ingenuity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Future-Proofing Your Career in the UK: The Power of Project Management Certifications
Future-proofing your career keeps you relevant in your chosen industry. Careers in technology and project management are particularly future-proof; however, competition is rife, and you must work hard to stand out.
One strategic way to fortify your career path, particularly in the UK, is by acquiring project management certifications. These certifications validate your skills and open doors to diverse opportunities, ensuring you stay relevant and competitive in a dynamic job market.
Navigating Career Challenges with Project Management Certifications
- Skill Validation and Recognition Project management certifications provide tangible evidence of your expertise in managing complex projects. In the UK, where industries demand skilled professionals, holding recognised certifications adds credibility to your skill set. Certifications such as PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) or AgilePM (Agile Project Management) are widely acknowledged and sought after by employers, making you a valuable asset to any organisation.
- Adaptability to Industry Trends Certifications often align with industry best practices and evolving trends. For instance, as the demand for agile methodologies grows in the UK, certifications like PRINCE2 Agile or AgilePM provide a dual advantage by combining traditional project management principles with agile practices. This adaptability to industry trends ensures that your skills remain current and applicable, reflecting positively on your career longevity.
Unlocking Career Opportunities
- Broader Career Scope Project management certifications broaden your career scope by making you eligible for a diverse range of roles. In the UK, industries spanning IT, construction, healthcare, and more value professionals with project management expertise. Certifications act as a gateway, allowing you to transition seamlessly between sectors and explore varied roles within your domain of expertise.
- Competitive Edge in the Job Market In a competitive job market, possessing project management certifications gives you a distinct advantage. Employers often prioritise certified professionals as they bring a standardised skill set and proven methodologies to the table. This competitive edge becomes crucial when vying for promotions or new career opportunities, ensuring you stand out among your peers.
Professional Development and Networking
- Continuous Learning Project management certifications often come with ongoing professional development requirements. This commitment to continuous learning is highly valued in the UK job market, reflecting your dedication to staying abreast of industry advancements. It showcases a proactive approach to professional growth, positioning you as an asset to employers seeking individuals invested in their development.
- Networking Opportunities Certification programs typically provide opportunities for networking with professionals in the field. Engaging with a community of certified project managers in the UK allows you to exchange insights, learn from experiences, and stay informed about industry trends. Networking enhances your professional visibility, opening doors to collaborations, mentorship, and potential career advancements.
Project management certifications emerge as a strategic investment in your career. They validate your skills and offer a pathway to continuous learning, broader career opportunities, and a competitive edge. Embracing these certifications positions you as a forward-thinking professional, equipped to navigate the challenges of the future job market with confidence.
Choosing the Best Project Management Certifications for Your Career
While this list highlights some top project management certifications, it is not exhaustive. Numerous other project management accreditations exist, but the ones mentioned are widely recognised in the UK and EU.
Regardless of your experience level or specific certification goals, there is likely a suitable certificate for you. Many certifications discussed in this article offer corresponding courses, to make your learning journey more convenient.
