Training

Choosing the right project management training course is largely dependent on an individual’s existing experience and qualifications in the field.

For instance, for those who have little experience and want a grounding in the basics of Project Management, we would recommend a short Project Management Essentials course. A follow-on course in Practical Project Management provides all the tools needed to deploy these skills in the workplace.

For more advanced project managers looking for certifications, then a fantastic option is the PM Agile Certified Practitioner. This is excellent for those wanting to implement the Agile approach to their projects.

If you have any doubts about which course is best for your needs, then please contact us. Our expert team will be delighted to help.

This is largely down to the individual and what they are looking to gain from the qualification. However, regardless of whether you are looking to achieve an “entry-level” qualification or become a professional scrum master, it is important to check whether the qualifications are industry recognised.

That being said, the most recognised Project Management qualification is the Project Manager Professional. This is recognised worldwide as the most important industry recognised certification and proves the individual’s ability to work on any project using any methodology.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) are the main industry body for Project Managers, and to guarantee your qualifications are industry recognised, always opt for a training company that is a PMI Authorised Training Partner.

Being a certified Project Manager instantly tells relevant people that you are thoroughly versed in the successful running and completion of projects.

Industry recognised qualifications like the Project Management Professional allow the holder of the qualification to be recognised as a professional expert in project management.

Certification also enhances career prospects, and of course, it also provides all the tools and skills to see projects through to completion.

The Scrum Master (PSM 1) certification is an industry recognised certification that is awarded by scrum.org. While it is perfectly possible to sit the exam based purely on one’s experience in Project Management, this isn’t recommended.

By far, the easiest way to prepare for the Scrum Master Certification is to undertake a course that teaches all the material required to pass the Professional Scrum Master Exam.

As a Project Management Institute Training Partner, Aspira’s PSM-1 course is the perfect preparation for sitting the Professional Scrum Master exam.

Gaining Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) status shows an individual has the necessary skills and dedication to work at the highest levels of Project Management.

For those taking the exams, what areas to focus their studies on is one of the biggest unknowns. The easiest way to prepare for CAPM certification is to undertake a course that covers all aspects of the field and is specifically designed to aid students seeking Industry Certification.

If you are looking to get certified in Agile Project Management, there are many options to consider.

For those without a huge amount of experience in the field, then it may be beneficial to take a short PM Agile Certified Practitioner course. This gives you the skillset to apply for certifications. At Aspira, we can advise which is best for you.

For more experienced practitioners of Agile Project Manager, the Professional Scrum Master (PSM 1) certification is an industry recognised qualification that is highly sought after by employers.

Although formally, there is no official need for training as many project managers worked their way up a career ladder, this isn’t always an option. For those wanting to begin or further a career in Project Management, then training should be a prerequisite.

The best option when looking for the right training course is to check that it can lead to industry certifications. Qualifying as a Certified Associate in Project Management is an excellent starting point. Ultimately for those wanting to reach the top of the ladder, the training you undertake should be aimed at achieving a higher-level qualification, such as the prestigious Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification.

This depends on the level of qualification being sought and the starting point as far as the experience, and existing qualifications of the candidate go.

Depending on these variables, training can be as short as a couple of days for those just wanting to brush up some skills or add a new skill set to their armoury. For more advanced training, it can take from a few months upwards.

Many courses allow you to work at your own pace and can be undertaken in your spare time.

Plenty of experience backed up by high-quality training is the easiest path to improving one’s project management skills.

For those already in the industry, appraising where your skillset is weakest allows you to target areas that can benefit from further training. For example, if you have little practical experience with projects that use the Agile methodology, then it makes sense to improve your skills using a course that is geared specifically to teach Agile.

At the very start of a career in Project Management, a more general course that covers a wider scope is a better way to improve project management skills. A course such as Project Management Essentials is an ideal foundation for those new to the field and wanting to improve their skills.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an industry recognised qualification that proves the recipient is qualified in all aspects of project management.

As such, achieving the qualification brings a host of benefits to the recipient, including: 

• Improved career prospects
• The skillset to manage any project using any methodology
• Improved salary
• Industry recognition
• A grounding in all the appropriate skills

No, there is no requirement to become a PMI member before booking the PMP exam. However, there are advantages to becoming a PMI member that are worthwhile considering.

For starters, membership of the PMI will qualify you for a substantial discount on the PMP exam fees. It also demonstrates a commitment and dedication to career furtherance that adds value to any CV and job application.

The PMBOK Guide could be described as a bible for project managers.

It provides a framework of globally recognised standards and guides for project managers. The standards and knowledge within the PMBOK guide are representative of the accumulated experience of senior project managers from across the globe.

Using the standards, processes, guidelines, and terminology contained within the PMBOK guide allows project managers and organisations to adopt a standardised approach to project management that is understood industry wide.

The easy way to get a project management certification is to undertake a relevant course in your preferred area of Project Management. Depending on your existing skills and career goals, the desired level of project management certification will vary.

As far as certifications go, the industry standard is the Project Management Institute. The Project Management Professional certificate issued by them is considered the gold standard in project management certification. To qualify for this, you need to be registered with the PMI and sit the exam they set.

There are quite a few prerequisites required before applicants can sit the PMP exam, but there are plenty of other certifications available for less experienced project managers or for those looking to get into the industry.

It is always a good idea to undertake a training course that aims to teach everything you need to know before sitting any project management certification exam. At Aspira, we can help advise which certification is best for you and then help to ensure you are fully prepared for the upcoming exam.