Directory
Project Management Institute
With more than 265,000 members in over 170 countries, PMI is the leading membership association for the project management profession. PMI is actively engaged in advocacy for the profession, setting professional standards, conducting research and providing access to a wealth of information and resources.
PMI also promotes career and professional development and offers certification, networking and community involvement opportunities. In fact, with nearly 260,000 certified, the Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential is the most widely recognized — and only global — certification in the profession.
For almost 40 years, PMI has advanced the careers of practitioners who make project management indispensable for business results.
History
PMI was founded in 1969 by five forward-thinking individuals who understood the value of networking, sharing process information and discussing common project problems. After their first official meeting in October of that year at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the group officially incorporated the association in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
It's been a wonderful trip. The array of different projects you get to work in and the people you meet sure make a great learning experience.
It really helps you hone your PM and soft skills.
The publications are very good and (beside the fact they always get to Brasil a month later) never missed an issue. Just wish they had more non-English content. Would help get PMI a broader recognition on non-English speaking countries.
Since that time I have been promoted within the company I work for, I have met a great deal of fantastic project managers to bounce ideas off of, and I have become the resident PM expert in areas because of this certification.
I think the key to any credential or degree is that you have to use it to have it pay for itself. If I went out and received a college degree and never applied for a job it would have limited usefulness (although I agree that education by itself also has value).
The same goes with the PMP certification. If I get the certification and do not use it through attending PMI meetings, leading change within my organization, networking with other PMs, then I am going to have limited benefit from it.
My recommendation is to show your company that it will benefit them if you have the certification and then have them support you in the costs and time required to prepare for the exam.
Ron Holohan, MBA PMP
Host of The pm411.org Project Management Podcast
Remember that you should build your professional network BEFORE you need it.
