Talk:Project Management Institute
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The Project Management Institute is a professional association dealing specifically with the topic of project management.
[edit] Discussion
An anonymous contributor wrote "Need to compare with real degrees such as MBA, also reads like a PMI Brocure [sic] and is not NPOV" I think the current information is factual, and doesn't express an positive or negative opinion. Stating that a professional certification is not equivalent to a college degree isn't worthy of an encyclopedia entry. Many employers require a PMP certification as a condition for employment or advancement, but do not require an MBA. --Garrybooker 04:31, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
Good discussion. The fact that PMI has "sold" the PMP to some employers means, what? Also consider comparing PMI/PMP to the backlash from the Agile/Scrum approach, that's not opinion, that's fact. While PMP'ers still have enthusiasm for PMI, in a sense, this is a "bill of goods" being "sold" to the public.
Dear Anonymous Person: The expression "a bill of goods" means something intentionally misrepresented, or something passed off in a deception or fraud (I looked it up). What do you think is intentionally misrepresented, deceptive or fraudulent? While I don't always agree with the PMI processes (I think many small projects require a different approach) I have never seen anything in PMI that is deceptive or fraudulent. It is a very ethics-oriented organization. --Garrybooker 16:23, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
It's several things. PMI is attempting to establish itself as the gatekeeper to jobs, where a job req is the PMP only issued by PMI. This is a concerted effort. Then they sell the PMP training, books, and charge for the exams. Then the cycle begins all over again. There are many, many alternatives to PMI's PMP, a BBA, an MBA, many colleges have 4 year programs as well as graduate programs that include substantive management course work. There are also other certificate programs, CDP/CCP/CDMP/ISA (granted it's different but the concept is the same). In contrast, the PMP exam is a fairly superficial quiz. While it's better than nothing, it's not substantive. As a hiring manager, I'd be tempted to take off points for a PMP.
"I'd be tempted to take off points for a PMP" Sounds like you had a bad experience w/ PMI...did you fail the test or get passed over for someone w/ the PMP. As for PMI/PMP cycle, it is no different than GMAT and B School and LSAT and Law School (The guys who handle the accreditation of law schools, ABA, also run the LSAT). A degree is dated shortly after you walk across the stage, a cert shows you have the desire and drive to keep learning...
A PMP is an affectation. Sorry, it's not substantive. You also have it backward. A cert like the PMP is about acquiring a few buzzwords; a degree is a reflection of effort to acquire wide ranging and enduring fundamentals. Neither is a substitute for experience. The fact that the PMP asks for experience does not make it a certification of experience or accomplishment. Unfortunately, everyone wants to set themselves up as the gatekeeper, ie, "buy my cert, pay for my classes, give me a portion of your income." Please do not compare the PMP to law school.
The other problem with the PMP is that the "body of knowledge", while OK, good maybe, isn't exactly how projects really work. There is too much emphasis on form, stakeholders, paper deliverables, meetings, and not enough on the hard issues. It's not substantive. What's really telling is that when you drag the internet for examples of PMP success stories, you find the converse.
