What is PMP?

Exam Overview

PMP is an acronym which stands for Project Management Professional. PMI (Project Management Institute) offers and maintains this globally renowned certificate. It is internationally sought-after certificate for project managers in various sectors. However, cybersecurity professionals and information security managers should take this credential to understand, manage, execute and monitor projects properly. Project management is very important component of a given project. The PMP Exam validates a project manager’s competency when assigned to lead and direct a project. Most projects run out of budge and time due to lack of comprehensive planning and management approaches.

The PMP Certification Requirements

The PMP certification program validates project managers proven experiences and practices in managing projects until declared completed successfully. Furthermore, the examination represents predictive, agile and hybrid project management approaches. To be eligible for the PMP certification, aspirants must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. Additionally, candidates’ must have 2-5 years of project management experience depending on their educational background to earn the credential. Project management experience must include leading and directing projects. A project, as defined by the PMBOK Guide, is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. Moreover, it has starting and ending time intervals and requires robust follow-up, monitoring and controlling activities throughout its life time and until its closure. The exam focuses on five major project management processes, namely, initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing processes. The certification covers the following three broad domains and corresponding proportion of questions in the real examination:

• People (42%)
• Process (50%)
• Business Environment (8%)

Candidates can further refer the PMP Examination Content Outline from the PMI website for detailed understanding of the JTAs (Job Task Analysis). The credential demonstrates to employers, clients, and colleagues that a project manager possesses project management knowledge, experience, and skills to bring projects to successful completion. Moreover, the exam is multiple choice based and it comprises 180 questions. It will cost you $555 at the time of writing. The allotted time to complete the examination at test centers is 230 minutes. The exam is administered in PMI authorized test centers worldwide. Candidates and certified project managers must strictly adhere to PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.