Have you been looking to begin or enhance a career in project management, or perhaps complement your Microsoft Project certification? Certifications prove your expertise in a particular specialty, and earning the Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)® certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI)® could be the direction to head.

In the project management field, we find that this certification can be overwhelming when one first starts to looking into it. In fact, as far as certifications go, it is one that is often misunderstood. Specifically, you might be wondering about the purpose for you as a candidate and exactly how it can add to your resume.

Let’s dig in, shall we?

The Project Management Institute – Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) credential is best suited for individuals who want a credential that is not tied to a software tool and offers the opportunity to have a certification that can be maintained for years to come without a lot of additional effort. This credential requires 5,000 hours of scheduling experience in a five year period for holders of a high school diploma, or 3,500 hours of experience for those already holding a Bachelor’s degree. For MPUG members, this credential could add value to experience that might not be fully recognized with a Microsoft Project certification. For example, some individuals do not qualify for the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential if they have not lead a team and the PMI-SP is a great alternative to gain a professionally recognized credential.

One of the best things about this credential is that it is backed by a job analysis of schedulers around the world and information from that analysis can be shared with your boss or human resources personnel to show the value of the credential to the employer. This analysis was conducted by a third-party (not PMI), which adds validity to the data. In my upcoming webinar, I will talk more about the PMI-SP and cover the following topics:

Considerations before deciding to pursue the PMI-SP
The application process
Costs associated with the certification and exam
Comparison with alternative credentials
The testing process
Materials you may want to use as resources
Tips to get through the exam smoothly

PMI is connected to 2.9 million professionals around the world and their guides and credentials are recognized by other professional organizations, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). If you are considering earning the PMI-SP credential or just want to know more about it, I would encourage you to watch Scheduling Professional Certification from PMI (PMI-SP)®: Considerations in Making This a Career Goal, now available on-demand, to get your questions answered.

Articles:
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PMP Prep: Resource Leveling and Resource Smoothing
How to Pass Your PMP Exam in 30 Days

Written by Cindy M. Lewis

Cindy Lewis is an awarded Microsoft Project MVP and an expert in scheduling with a long history in project management. She holds numerous credentials in the field including: PMP, PMI-SP, MS, MOS, and MCT. She serves on the board of the MPUG Detroit chapter and is a frequent speaker at conferences and events across the country . Cindy’s personal passion is sharing knowledge with others and helping them grow and achieve personal success. Her training philosophy is known as the 4 Pillars of Success® which is also the name of her company. Feel free to connect with Cindy on social media or contact her directly through her website www.4pillarsofsuccess.com.

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