How the PMP® Certification Helps Businesses Win Bigger Projects

With more and more project managers entering the industry, it is important to stay ahead of the competition. When project managers complete the exam and earn the Project Management Professional^® certification, their chances of winning bigger business drastically increases, because they’re expanding their skills. Earning Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification can give you the competitive advantage you need to win more clients, increase your earning potential, and regularly deliver successful projects. PMP Certifications are recognized worldwide and can create new opportunities for you to advance your career.

If you are a project manager wondering whether or not you should pursue the PMP^® certification, explore the following benefits.

More Challenging Projects

The PMP certification can open the door for you to run more challenging projects. This type of certification provides validation of your skills and knowledge, which can make clients or your employer feel more confident assigning you greater responsibility. This means you’ll likely be assigned more and more complex projects, giving you the opportunity to use your PMP credential in a professional setting.

When you’re trying to win new, complex, large-scale projects, your PMP credential can work in your favor. Having your certification can be a compelling reason for clients to choose your project management services over the competition. Thus, earning a certification can increase your revenue and help you land high-dollar projects. 

Increased Earnings

In addition to increasing revenue for your company, you can increase your own personal earnings. Project managers with PMP certifications can earn more based on your qualifications, skills, and professional experience. PMI estimates that once you have your PMP certification, your earning potential can be up to 20% higher than your non-certified peers.

Project managers are in high demand in a wide variety of industries, from technology to healthcare to construction and more. Because there is such a great need for project managers, you must find a way to set yourself apart. Put yourself in the shoes of a client looking for a project manager to take on their next project. If you have a stack of resumes in front of you, you’re most likely to choose the ones with extra certifications and better credentials. 

PMP Certifications Are Recognized Worldwide

The PMP credential is recognized worldwide as the standard for project management professionalism. If you this credential, your skills and expertise will be appreciated regardless of the country you’re working in. As industries and businesses are becoming more globalized, this far-reaching recognition can help your company win projects with partners both here and abroad. 

One important aspect of making both local and international connections is networking, and as a project management professional, you have access to a whole new network of other professionals. You can connect with other project management professionals, earning recognition as a fellow PMP certification holder. 

If you have any interest in pursuing a career internationally or working on projects with international clients, earning the PMP certification can be a helpful first step. 

Increased Success Rates

The best way to have a fruitful career as a project manager is to successfully complete projects. Earning the PMP certification gives you the skills and knowledge needed to ensure your projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with client approval. 

To even sit for the PMP exam, you first have to gain experience as a project management professional and earn 35 hours of formal project management education. Both of these requirements are in place to verify that you can lead successful projects. In fact, one survey states that 80% of high-performing projects have a PMP credential holder at the helm. Additionally, PMI estimated that 35% of project managers who held the PMP certification outperformed their peers without certifications.

With the PMP certification, project managers are better able to run successful projects due to both the experience and skills they were required to demonstrate in order to earn the certification in the first place. While some of your peers who don’t have their certification may still run projects well, as a PMP credential holder, you have a strong foundation that will help you consistently deliver successful projects. 

Credibility of PMP Certifications

Sometimes, it can be difficult to earn the trust of a client. Maybe they don’t want to heed your advice or don’t believe the decisions you’re making for their project are the right ones. Every project manager runs into this challenge at some point in their career. However, when you have your PMP certification, you gain credibility in the eyes of your employer, your clients, and your team members. Clients are more willing to trust in your advice since you have the certification to back it up, and your employer will feel confident that you are equipped to run any project. 

This certification also demonstrates that you are serious about your project management career and you’re invested in project outcomes. Adding credibility to your project management pedigree makes you a better leader and can open new doors in your career.

Language Fluency

With the PMP certification, you’ll no longer be lost when it comes to project management jargon. You will be an expert in all areas of project management, from project planning to project execution. Mastering every facet of project management ensures you’re fluent in the language of certified project managers, and you’re able to establish and use a set of standardized processes to run projects efficiently. 

Learning the language of project management may seem like a small aspect of your career, but this fluency in PMI’s recommended practices can help you avoid communication gaps. Having an in-depth understanding of project terms and processes can ensure that you’re communicating expectations effectively with your team and avoiding any misunderstandings with the client.

Also, once you earn the PMP certification, you’re required to earn 60 PDUs every three years to maintain it. This ensures you’re always up to date on the newest project management processes, and you’re staying sharp on processes that have been trusted in the past. 

Earning your PMP credential will open a number of doors for your career. With your certification, you’ll not only have the skills and knowledge to lead successful projects, but you will earn the respect of your clients, employer, and team members as well. When you have the right PMP certification training and experience, you’ll be able to pass the PMP exam and carry the lessons you learn onto the projects you’ll manage in the future.

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