Quote:
Originally Posted by fintstone
I hire guys as Program Managers for the Federal Government. The only folks impressed by the PMP seem to be people who have it themself. Not only do I (and other hring officials) not find it valuable, their insistence that it makes them know more than everyone else is very annoying and usually makes it difficult for them to work with others who are more talented/skilled but don't have the magic PMP credential. In my business, you would do better not to waste your time. We have our own programs to certify personnel.
|
I love it when I see folks with "PMP" after their names in their email signatures. It's like they accomplished a huge undertaking. While I understand it is a certification process with a test at the end, it does not equal a college master's degree, or better yet, a PhD. It is a certification process with a test at the end -- can get it done in less than a year. I don't have a PMP, but work with some people who do -- and despite their certification, some have no clue about basic project management concepts such as critical path and lag time. (I had a PM who would state a task is on the critical path if it was 'late' in his estimation, even though didn't affect the end date of the project.
)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brando
Now for the bigger question - What about 6 Sigma?
|
Again, in my opinion, MBA > 6 Sigma.
Having just completed my MBA, I learned about project management (probably learned more than in the PMP certification process), as well as 6 Sigma and all the other business processes, methods, and buzz-words. While I may not have a PMP or 6 Sigma certification now, I have a deeper understanding of the big picture of business.
These certifications are great, but they aren't a substitute for an MBA, or practical, real world experience. If you move onto a company that doesn't use PMP or 6 Sigma as a framework for its change management process, then what? On the other hand, an MBA is more universally recognized as giving someone a better understanding of the business world, especially when coupled with real-world experience.
That said, I plan on getting a PMP certificaiton, as well as an ITIL certificaiton, since that applies to my line of work. And later, I may go back to school and get a Doctorine in Business Administration. But that's because I have a desire to learn and better myself, not because I want to put silly initials after my name to make me look more important than others...
YMMV,
-Z-man.