What is PMI in project management?

Introduction

As the market heats up and the complexity of the word “management” continues to increase, companies and organizations are seeking insights that might help them simplify things. In the past, things were simpler and everything revolved around profit, process, product, partners, etc.

Today, everything seems to be riven and people are facing uncertain issues in the project management arena. And because everyone doesn’t know everything about running a business, there should be something or someone to help them with this matter.

This is where PMI comes in.

What is PMI in project management?

PMI stands for the Project Management Institute. It’s a leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project management profession. The aim of the association is to provide tools, networks, and best practices to those who seek help to successfully manage their projects and portfolios.

It started in 1969, and currently,  the resources and research programs by PMI are helping more than 2.9 million professionals working in almost every country to excel in their respective professions.

In addition to this, PMI is also the organization that oversees the documentation of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide. PMBOK Guide is basically a book that contains all the standards and guidelines established by the Project Management Institute for successful project management.

In fact, project management professionals across the world are relying on the Project Management Institute’s standards and guidelines to boost business success and manage different types of projects during their project management careers.

Who is it for?

PMI membership is for all those people who consider themselves an “active project management professional”. This includes project managers as well as practitioners who look forward to improving their skills and exploring potential development opportunities within the industry.

Now, the PMI membership works for almost anyone who’d like to manage projects better, but it’s best used within industries like construction, architecture, finance, consulting, governance, and quality assurance. When used appropriately within these industries, PMI membership can help individuals and teams gain control of their projects and manage them successfully on a large scale.

What is PMI certification?

PMI offers a wide range of credentials and certifications and it has something for everyone. Whether you are a project manager or someone who has just started his/her career, PMI will always have something to suit your needs.

PMI has both entry-level and specialist certification schemes that are specifically designed to help professionals recognize their knowledge and competency, and then use it to grow in their profession.

List of PMI certifications

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is designed to improve your understanding of the fundamental terminologies and practices of effective project management. If you’re a project manager who would like to gain more control over projects or add more project management skills into your role, then CAPM  is for you.

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a gold standard project management certification that is recognized and demanded worldwide. Through Project Management Professional (PMP) you can validate your competence to fit the role of a project manager in any organization.

3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification is designed for those who manage multiple, complex projects and teams. Through this certification, you prove your ability to manage multiple projects and navigate complex activities to achieve results that align with the organizational goals.

4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

The Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification is designed to recognize the experience and skills of portfolio managers. If you would like to demonstrate your ability to manage one or more portfolios to achieve your organizational objectives, you should definitely go for PfMP.

5. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification is created for those who apply Agile principles and practices in project management. To qualify for this certification, you need a combination of experience, skills, training, and exams. If you believe in Agile approaches such as SCRUM, XP, Lean, and Kanban, consider  PMI-ACP without any second thoughts.

6. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

Do you want to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the area of identifying and eliminating project risks during the project management process? If yes, the MI-RMP certification is right for you. Through PMI-RMP you learn how to mitigate threats and capitalize on opportunities in project management.

7. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

The  PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification is for those who need to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in developing and maintaining project schedules. If you have the knowledge and skills to develop, manage, and maintain project schedules and would like to showcase them, then PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) is a perfect choice.

8. PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

Through PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certification, you highlight your knowledge and skills in the specialized area of business analysis. It helps you showcase your ability to effectively define business requirements, plan the project outcome, and lead a team successfully towards the same.

9. PMO Certified Practitioner (PMO-CP)

PMO-CP certification is designed for existing professionals and newcomers who are responsible for managing and overseeing Project Management Offices (PMOs) within organizations. This certification offers insights into PMO practices, management, results analysis, decision-making, and the ability to align projects and programs with organizational strategy.

10. PMO Certified Consultant (PMO-CC)

The PMO Certified Consultant (PMO-CC) certification is designed for different levels of experienced professionals and freshers who are seeking to establish, improve, or transform their Project Management Offices (PMOs). This certification validates the consultant’s expertise in PMO practices, strategic alignment, and ability to deliver value through tailored PMO solutions.

Conclusion

Successful project management requires an awareness of the best practices, trending tools, and potential issues during the project management life cycle. Project managers and teams must keep themselves updated in terms of both knowledge and skills. Now, becoming a member of the Project Management Institute is an efficient and quite convenient move in this direction.

As a PMI member or PMI-certified professional, you get resources and insights that lead you to successful project management, every time. And suppose you need some help in organizing, planning, managing, and executing your projects. In that case, you’ve got ProofHub – an all-in-one project management and team collaboration software for your growing business needs. Sign up today to know more!

FAQs