Hi guys, welcome to today’s read on the worthiness of the CPM certification.
After reading this article to the end, you can rest assured that you’ll understand the meaning and benefits of having this designation and also if it’s the right fit for you.
Here’s a round-up of our discussion in this piece:
Let’s set the ball rolling as we uncover the veil on this good read!
What Does CPM Stand For?
The CPM stands for many things, and we need to clarify its meaning before diving deep into the discourse.
For those in the real estate field, CPM means Certified Property Manager.
The certification is awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
If you’re purely into real estate management, the IREM CPM designation seems the most ideal for you.
The CPM also stands for Certified Public Manager for professionals in the public service.
The purpose of the Certified Public Manager program is to enhance the performance of public sector managers.
Candidates must complete the National Certified Public Manager Consortium accredited programs before being awarded this designation.
Some of the core competencies this certification program tests include work management, adherence to the code of ethics, team spirit, self-development, and public service focus.
However, our main preoccupation is on the Institute of Project Management-issued Certified Project Manager certification.
This designation is our favorite because it has global acceptability and cuts across many fields.
The certification doesn’t have local government interferences, and anyone with management experience can apply for it.
It is also called Certified Project Master in some quarters.
Now that we’ve differentiated among the three, we can now safely answer the question: “What is CPM certification in Project Management?”
CPM is a title conferred on a project manager with proven excellence and innovation in directing, leading, and monitoring projects.
A certified professional with this certification has been tested on a wide range of management competencies, and they’ve proven themselves worthy.
It means they possess specialized technical and management skills to execute and evaluate projects successfully.
The Certified Project Manager CPM appellation shows you’re knowledgeable at maximizing opportunities for business administration.
Advantages of Earning the Certified Project Manager Certification
Earning certifications is one of the easiest ways to prove your professional development commitment.
If you’re a passionate project manager who’s committed to growth, you’ll take relevant courses to broaden your understanding of the industry.
One of such is the CPM training.
Let’s look at some of the primary benefits of being a CPM.
Become knowledgeable about project management practices
Certified project masters know the innovative ways of dealing with complex projects; they easily handle an array of projects.
Hence, the greatest advantage of earning this certification is that you become more knowledgeable about industry-related activities and improved execution methods.
Perhaps, you’ve been leading and coordinating complex projects in the past; the CPM project manager certification serves as a good way to formalize your skills and knowledge.
Over time, we’ve discovered that experienced and knowledgeable people without a certification short-change themselves in many ways.
Employers and stakeholders want to know the number of training programs, seminars, and conferences you’ve attended after your bachelor’s degree.
You can’t claim to be a successful team leader without taking any course on human resources management.
That is why continuing education is one of the criteria CPM candidates must meet before taking the certification exam.
The CPM is the foundational certification you need to become certified management professional.
There are many bodies and institutions awarding project management certifications now.
But before you enroll in any of these institutions, be sure to conduct a brief background check on the reputation and standard of their programs.
Are their CPM courses critical and value-laden or just a regurgitation of old practices?
Do they teach scalable and transferable skills that professionals can use in any industry?
Being a certified project manager goes beyond the title; it’s about the satisfactory performance of the roles attached to the title.
Earning this certification means performing superbly in business administration; you should be able to make a difference in the real world.
Management professionals making waves have proven capability of task execution within the given timeframe.
We’re this detailed because we don’t want you to earn the CPM credentials for the wrong reasons; your motives must be right.
If you want a certified project master certificate in project management that will be worth its onions, you should enroll with the Institute of Project Management.
If you participate in their CPM courses, you wouldn’t have to ask if a CPM certification is worth it.
The CPM course will make you more critical in decision-making.
Your enrollment for every development program must be intentional and decisive to get the desired values.
This is just one benefit, let’s take a look at more, shall we?
Opens more doors professionally
The CPM project management certification can open unimaginable doors for you.
You become more influential with a project management certification; clients, business partners, and stakeholders see you as a figure of authority.
Having a CPM in project management gives you the opportunity of building your professional network; many project management professionals want to connect with you because they know you’re valuable.
You can build your network on LinkedIn by joining relevant platforms because you can’t go far in the industry by being a lone fighter.
Serves as a career booster
One of the reasons you should participate in certification courses is that they trim and make your career path clearer.
If you want to be a professional project manager, you must have the CPM designation.
It boosts your career and positions you for growth in the industry.
When you earn the project management CPM, you’re passing an audible message to anyone who cares to listen that you’re determined to be addressed as a professional project manager.
Since recruiters are consistently searching for project managers with proven professional development records, earning a CPM management certification is a good way of putting yourself in the face of employers.
Having a CPM title tells your employer or manager that you’re ready to take on complex projects in business administration or other management-related tasks.
Improves your income
Another compelling reason you should strive to have the CPM badge is to earn more.
Earlier, we’ve discussed how certification serves as a stamp of your experience; certification formalizes whatever experience you have.
Even if you’re the most experienced manager on the planet without any certification, you’ll gain less recognition and patronage.
The world celebrates and pays for results; your CPM certification is the result that will make you command more earnings.
You can only have a breakthrough in the industry with a CPM; certification project management makes you become a recognized professional.
Most times, employers make certification a requirement for promotion or to take higher-paying positions.
Be proactive; don’t wait until you need it before taking a step.
Fortunately, you can partake in online CPM programs from your comfort zone.
Different surveys have shown that being a certified project manager can make you earn 26% than those without certifications.
With all these points, you’ve certainly had the answer to the question: is CPM certification worth it?
We believe it’s worth it, and you should strive to master CPM course outlines and pass the examination at a go.
How to Get CPM Certification
There are prerequisites to earning the CPM degree.
According to the Institute of Project Management, before you can be qualified for this designation, you must show evidence of 30 hours of continuing education.
You must also have at least three years of experience (which may be accumulated in the past six years) in leading projects and managing portfolio teams.
The Assessment Guide clearly states the minimum standard qualifying projects must meet.
The CPM exam is conducted online.
So to pass the CPM exam, you should familiarize yourself with the Assessment Guide months ahead of the examination.
Enroll in relevant training programs and participate in all activities leading to the CPM exam as knowledge comes from the point of doing.
Take online CPM tests to strengthen yourself intellectually.
Also, carefully select the CPM online training courses because some have irrelevant content.
It’s the reason why we earlier urged you to use the Assessment Guide as your standard.
Exam structure
The CPM capstone demands candidates to critically reflect on some aspects of projects or portfolios: PRINCE2, PMBOK, and Agile.
When you can answer questions on these areas satisfactorily, it means you have the strength to handle complex projects.
The CPM exam proctor mostly communicates with candidates through video conferences.
The examiners demand you to demonstrate the ability to apply the best practices or methodology in every given situation to lead people and processes.
Therefore, you must demonstrate you have what it takes to meet project specifications, not minding the surrounding situations.
You’ll also be tested on your ability to spot opportunities and contribute to overall growth.
You should be able to demonstrate how you can cause disruptions in a system and re-organize it for expansion and improvement.
The CPM exam is solely concerned about what you know and how you can perfectly fit into the ever-dynamic project management field.
However, CPM is one of the cheapest certifications as it costs just $500 and doesn’t need recertification once it’s awarded.
CPM vs PMP
Before we differentiate between the two, let’s first understand briefly the PMP certification meaning.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a designation offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to denote the certification holder’s high level of professionalism.
We’ve always considered the CPM PMP debate unnecessary because both certifications are highly relevant and play complementary roles to each other.
While the CPM serves as the foundational badge or certification for project managers, the PMP is the highest level of certification.
Ultimately, a growth-minded management professional will strive to earn both certifications.
The PMP is the highest; you’ll become a high-ranking professional project manager.
That is how you can command honor in the industry and ceaseless flow of income.
Conclusion
Since you can earn the CPM certification online, nothing stops you from adding this badge to your name.
It’s flexible and will bolster your career.
The examination tests your practical understanding of the course and helps you understand industry best practices.
The CPM certification remains the best way to make a statement about your intentionality to carve out a career path in the industry.
Of course, it’s just the foundation; you still have to earn higher certifications (like CAPM and PMP) as you climb the ladder to remain relevant and enjoy the many benefits of being a certified professional.
