Certification exams are administered by the creator and developer of the content when focusing on a specific program or piece of hardware. Once getting project management certification like PMP or CompTIA Project+, your employee instantly demonstrates their learning using the program, application, or or device in question.
Holding such a certification can prove advantageous when working with that item. It shows an in-depth understanding of the material, often more than can be obtained through on-the-job experience.
However, as a project manager, the certifications can change. While gaining certifications for specific programs is excellent, certifications are also explicitly offered for a project manager position. These certifications come from various organizations. CompTIA Project+ and PMP are two such certifications.
Which Project Management Certification Is Right for You?
It can be hard to determine which project management certification is right for you. The good news is that project management certifications fall into two categories: those designed for full-time project managers and those intended for people in other jobs who also do project management.
PMP and other project management certifications like Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or PRINCE2 Practitioner are methodology certifications designed for more demanding project management professionals who manage large projects. If you are a full-time project manager, PMP might be right for you.
However, if your primary role is something else, but you also manage projects, CompTIA Project+ can help you get project management concepts without investing the time and money that major project management certifications need. It is ideal for professionals who manage smaller, less complicated projects as part of their other job duties but still want foundational project management skills.
CompTIA Project+ is more varied than other certifications because it covers basic project management ideas beyond the scope of just one methodology or framework. However, it does provide a high-level meeting to Agile as part of one of the objectives.
PMP vs. CompTIA Project+: Is There a Difference?
Before looking at the two separate project management certifications, you will likely wonder if there is much of a distinction between the two. The flat answer is yes.
CompTIA Project+ certification is designed for entry-level individuals or beginner project manager. A PMP certification is when you already have extensive experience in the position. Realistically, you will already know what certification is right for your employee based on the field’s amount of time.
If they are fresh out of college, still in college, or have just started working as a project manager in the last year or two, the CompTIA Project+ is the best option for them. If they have been on the job for several years, PMP is the way to go. When deciding between CompTIA Project+ and PMP, you also need to consider your job and future career outlook, and carefully weigh which certification best meets your requirements.
Do take note of how much time you will also have to commit to studying for CompTIA Project+ takes around 30 days of self-study, where the PMP typically requires 90 days or more. Also, take care to consider your cash expenditure during study time. While incredible of these questions may seem trivial or obvious, careful consideration will put you ahead of the game.
What Is the Benefit of Each Certification?
With most certifications, the certificate holders are required continuously to update their education and update the certification every few years to stay current in terms of programming and hardware that makes sense. Every release begins with new features, so knowing how to utilize these features is necessary.
The education base does not change like this as a project manager. That is why the CompTIA Project+ certification is for life. Once you have it, you have it forever. You do not require to re-apply for certification after a year or two. This alone gives it a valuable opportunity for your employee if they are entry-level project managers and want to expand their current skills.
They have been through a full range of challenges and had to deal with a lot if they have been working as a project manager for five years or more. Going after an entry-level certification at this point likely would not do much good. It is why you require to turn to the PMP certification for your employee.
PMP instantly gives possible clients your project manager has worked in the field for some time, but they have the education to back it up. The primary benefit of a PMP certification is merely setting your project manager apart from other professionals who have worked as project managers for more extended periods.
What Is Covered in the CompTIA Project+ Certification?
Before you go into any certification course, you require to understand what is covered. The CompTIA Project+ certification encompasses a series of technology and project management skills. Some of the topics a certification course falls into include project feasibility, project stakeholders and project risk management, strategy, statements of work, plus managing quality, time, and costs.
CompTIA Project+ Exam Summary:
- Name: CompTIA Project+
- Code: PK0-004
- Exam Price: USD 319
- Duration: 90 mins
- Number of Questions: 95
- Get Syllabus Topics from Here.
What Is Covered in the PMP Certification?
Short for Project Management Professional, the scope of the PMP certification is to go into getting the global language of project management in addition to how it connects with other professionals around the world.
PMP is one of the few global certifications globally accepted. This turns into a significant benefit for certification holders. Having a PMP will show your heightened knowledge and experience working as a project manager if you are involved in potentially working overseas.
PMI PMP Exam Summary:
- Name: Project Management Professional
- Code: PMP
- Member Fee: USD 405
- Non-member Fee: USD 555
- Duration: 240 Minutes
- Number of Questions: 200
- Get Syllabus Topics from Here.
CompTIA Project+ vs. PMP: Pricing
CompTIA Project+ purchase benefits include the following: voucher costs $319, essential bundle goes for a total of $449, and the Exam prep bundle will cost you $599.
Project Management Institute offers the PMP certification. It provides a variety of credentials, including Certified Association Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Project Management, Program Management, and Portfolio Management. You can become a member of PMI by paying the annual fee of $139.
PMI membership is required because you enjoy a multitude of resources like PMBoK and other standards and guides on the PMI website. You also pay a discount fee on certifications on top of obtaining white papers, case studies, and much more. Lastly, when you are a member, you attend the seminars, conferences, and events led by PMI and REPs at a special discounted price.
The PMP exam costs $555, which is not just the exam alone, but if you have a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, experiences of about 4500 hours leading and directing projects and attend 35 hours of classroom or online PMP training.
Wrapping Up
If project management is not your primary career focus, your best bet is to go for the CompTIA Project+ certification. It carries a good reputation and is undoubtedly more easily achieved than either of the two PMI certifications.
If you are on track to become a bonafide full-time project manager, then CAPM, followed by PMP, is the track you should follow. Depending on your years of project experience, you may think going straight for the Project Management Professional.
