Project management is a fulfilling and rewarding professional field. Moreover, project management can open ways to exciting work in an assortment of ventures. Many striving project managers do understand that to propel their careers in project management, they need the right certifications as they play a critical role.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) characterizes Project Management as 'the use of information, aptitudes, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project prerequisites. Planning, organizing, managing resources, motivating them, working with technologies and techniques that are associated with this field.
You’re here on this page, so we imply that you’re aspiring to be a Project Manager? If we’ve struck the right cord then let’s get going and explore the world of project management in much more detail.
The PMI leads these certifications and their respective exams in different levels of project management like (PMP) ®, PgMP®, (CAPM) ®, PfMP®, PMI-PBA®, PMI-ACP®, PMI-RMP®, PRINCE2®, OPM3® Professional Certification, and PMI-SP®. Project Management is a quickly developing job, and to make it in this field, it is an absolute necessity that you thoroughly understand the 2 main certifications – (PMP)® and (CAPM)®.
People who aspire to be project managers regularly face typical disarray regarding which project management certification to take up – (PMP)® or (CAPM)®. Despite the fact being complete opposites, these two are among the most lucrative and most favored project management certifications. It is critical for a candidate hoping to get certified to know the distinctions in every certification and in like manner plan for themselves.
As we move ahead, we will do a quick comparison on the (CAPM)® vs. (PMP)® certifications so you can pick the best for yourself.
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(PMP)® Versus (CAPM)® : What's The Difference?
The most obvious difference between the (CAPM)® and (PMP)® certifications is: (CAPM)® is an associate-level cert while (PMP)® is a professional-level cert.
Professionals suggest you've had some experience in the industry and are then promoted to be an expert. Subsequently, the (PMP)® is focused on experienced professionals.
Notwithstanding, it is reasonable for consider the (CAPM)® an entry-level certification, in any event with regards to PMI certifications. As you'd expect, this implies the (CAPM)® exam is focused on anybody hoping to acquire or upgrade project management abilities. The (CAPM)® exam is generally simpler, has less prohibitive prerequisites, and is more affordable than the (PMP)® exam.
From a popularity viewpoint, the (PMP)® is absolutely more notable than the (CAPM)® . The reason behind this bodes well when you realize that (PMP)® has been in the market long before CAMP was introduced. The (PMP)® was presented in 1984, and in 2003, (CAPM)® was introduced.
Such comparison is valuable to help comprehend the contrast among (PMP)® and (CAPM)® exam topically. In any case, if you are thinking of acquiring a (PMP)® or (CAPM)® certification, you'll need to find out more these two certs.
(PMP)®
The PMI introduced the (PMP)® certification in 1984 and has gotten the best quality level of project managers over the globe. The (PMP)® certification is recognized in different industries and in numerous nations and is an expert credential for project managers.
As indicated by PMI, "In case you're an experienced project manager liable for all parts of project delivery, driving and coordinating cross-functional groups, then the (PMP)® is the correct decision for you."
Project Management International has earned the ISO/IEC 17024 credential for the (PMP)® certification program in the year 2007. This accreditation gives (PMP)® certification credibility in the in almost 85 nations that have adopted and embraced ISO standardization rehearses.
So as to be (PMP)® certified, you should have the necessary prerequisites, breeze through the (PMP)® test, and win 60 PDUs every three years.
(CAPM)®
PMI introduced another credential in 2003, the Certified Associate in Project Management certification. It serves as an entry-level certification for aspiring project managers. It permits those with less experience to show their knowledge in the collection of information, procedures, and tools of the project management calling.
As per PMI, "Paying little mind to your career stage, the (CAPM)® cert is an advantage that will recognize you in the job market and improve your viability and credibility taking a shot at — or with — project teams."
(CAPM)® does not have many prerequisites and experience as compared to the (PMP)® certification, as is perfect for the individuals who aren't quite as cutting-edge in the field.
(CAPM)® Vs. (PMP)® Requirements
For (CAPM)®:
The prerequisites for the (CAPM)® test are as per the following:
- A high school diploma or an associate’s degree or have a global equivalent
- 1,500 hours of project experience
Or on the other hand
- 23 hours of project management education at the time of the test
For (PMP)®:
The prerequisites for the (PMP)® test are as per the following:
- A high school diploma or an associate’s degree or have a global equivalent
- 7,500 hours coordinating and leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education at the time of the test
Or on the other hand
- Four-year academic degree
- 4,500 hours coordinating and leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education at the time of the test
(CAPM)® Versus (PMP)® , Who Wins?
(PMP)®
The (PMP)® certification is gained by taking a test with questions dependent on the latest form of the PMBOK Guide (an abbreviation of Project Management Body of Knowledge®), just as project management knowledge dependent on practical knowledge and experience.
It is considered by most to be a genuinely hard test, and many find that enrolling in a (PMP)® certification training to get ready for the test is the most ideal approach to guarantee success.
About The Exam:
- 200 MCQ’s
- 25 of the 200 MCQ’s are not counted in the final score as they’re used for the research purpose
- The exam duration is 4 hours
- The fee for members is $405, while for non-members it is $555
- The exam is not open-book
Exam topics – Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing
(Capm)®
The (CAPM)® certification is procured by passing through an exam just like (PMP)® yet the exam is shorter than and less troublesome than the (PMP)® test. CAMP also has questions based on the PMBOK® Guide.
About The Exam:
- 150 MCQ’s
- The exam duration is 3 hours
- The fee for members is $225, while for non-members it is $300
- The exam is not open-book
Exam topics – PMBOK® Guide’s chapter 3-13
CAMP is valid for 5 years so it has to be renewed every 5 years.
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(CAPM)® Versus (PMP)® : Industry-Wide Benefits
Considering (CAPM)® certification is progressively open, increasingly moderate, and requires less time and experience than (PMP)® certification, project managers may ask themselves, "For what reason would I seek after the (PMP)® certification?" The appropriate response is simple: The (PMP)® is the most critical, industry-recognized certification for project managers around the world.
(PMP)® s work in a wide scope of enterprises in pretty much every nation. Numerous businesses require (PMP)® certification when employing project managers on the grounds that (PMP)® s have exhibited the information and abilities important to lead complex projects and direct project teams. In fact, businesses complete more projects on schedule and on budget when more than 33% of their project managers are (PMP)® -certified. In any case, (PMP)® s don't simply carry an incentive to their organizations: project managers with a (PMP)® certification gain a 20% more significant compensation than those without a (PMP)® certification, as indicated by PMI's Earning Power Salary Survey.
While (CAPM)® certification isn't as broadly recognized as the (PMP)® certification, it shows information on PMI's project management structure and project management forms, which can surely benefit applicants while going after positions against those without any certification. In addition, (CAPM)® certified representatives have working information on the PMBOK® Guide, which can fill in as a fantastic initial step to seek after (PMP)® certification.
You might have a question that if I am yet to fit the bill for the (PMP)® ® Exam, is (CAPM)® ® worthwhile to go for?
Without a doubt, by getting ready and taking the (CAPM)® ® Certification Exam, Aspirants will have an edge to finishing the (PMP)® ® Certification Exam by:
- Having just perused and comprehended the PMBOK® Guide
- Having the experience of taking PMI Exams (which is exceptionally helpful for mental groundwork for the (PMP)® ® Exam) — be comfortable with the test configuration and prerequisites
- Having attempted different (CAPM)® ® and (PMP)® ® Exam prep assets
- Having accumulated enough Contact Hours for (PMP)® ® Application
Which One Is The Best?
Well, relative is best. As we have seen, the (PMP)® and (CAPM)® can both enhance the project manager's resume. The (PMP)® is the best quality level of project management certifications, while the (CAPM)® is a legitimate entry-level certification. What's best for a cert-searcher at a given time will fluctuate contingent upon their conditions.
In case you're a project manager with a couple of years of experience, the (PMP)® is most likely best. For this situation, the (CAPM)® would do little for you from an expert development perspective.
Then again, in case you're simply starting to comprehend the basics of project management or are still in school, think about the (CAPM)® . At this stage, the (CAPM)® might be a down to business route for you to make the following stride in your career. Whatever decision you make, make certain to consider the setting of your own experience and situation.