Qualifications for PM PC

By: Kevin Kang

©vulcain 23/04/2024 1
•I’m an APM, and I want to get the Project
management qualification to system learn
the knowledge of Project Management,
but there are so many different
qualifications, which one best suit me?

•I’m a Project Planner, and I want to get a

qualification of Project planning, what are
my choices?

•I’m a Project Controller, and I want to get

a qualification for Project Control, how
can I move forward?

•I’m an experienced Project Manager, and

I have already got a Project Management
qualification, how can I move to the next
level?
What are the • Everyone claims that they are internationally recognized
differences? Which • Everyone says that they are popular
• Everyone has a Project Management xxx, International xxx
one best suit me?
 Experience: Entry-level (1 year or less)

Maximum of 95 questions (90

Exam:
Entry-level certification, but with fewer requirements minutes)
than CAPM, CompTIA Project+ is recommended for
people who’ve had one year of managing a small- to Cost: $338 (plus training costs)
medium-sized project management experience. With this
certification, you’ve opened the door to a career in Renewal: None (Good for life)
project management, having learned the knowledge and
skills needed to lead a project to a successful end.
Price: $285

•CompTIA
•CompTIA has been training information technology professionals
since the 1980s. They offer a variety of certifications in computer
hardware, networking and security, cloud infrastructure, and
software. In 2017 they began offering Project+, the next evolution
in their slate of offerings targeted at IT professionals.
Google
In 2017, Google launched Grow with Google, an initiative that draws on Google's 20-
year history of building products, platforms, and services. It has been specifically
designed to place professionals on the fast track to a competitively paid job with no
experience or degree requirements. In 2021, they added a track for project managers.

Experience: Entry-level

Exam: None (6 courses)

Cost: $234 ($39 per month - 6 months @ 10 hours per week)

Renewal: None (Good for life)

Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is a robust, team-based approach that focuses on
enhancing customer value by improving business processes. It
seeks to eliminate waste, boost quality and efficiency, resulting
in an improved customer experience, decreased costs, and
elevated staff morale.

•Lean: Initially developed by Toyota, it offers a set of principles,

practices, and tools focused on streamlining processes and
improving customer value.
•Six Sigma: Founded at Motorola, it’s a structured technique
centred on enhancing product and service quality with a keen
focus on processes.
By fusing these strategies, a comprehensive and proven method
resulted, capable of revolutionising organisations.
•Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM®)
•The Global Association for Quality Management is an internationally
recognized brand that offers quality and internationally accredited training
and certification in the field of Management Science and Information
Technology. They have a wide array of certifications, including three in the
field of project management.

Associate in Professional in
Project Project Certified Project
Management Management Director (CPD)
(APM) (PPM)

Entry-level (1 year or Intermediate (2 years or Advanced (4 years

Experience:
less) more) or more)

50 questions (60 150 questions (120 100 questions (80

Exam:
minutes) minutes) minutes)

$128 (plus training $210 ($320 with e- $210 ($280 with e-

Cost:
costs) course) course)

Renewal: None (Good for life) 5 years (50 CEUs) 5 years (25 CEUs)
 Certified Project Certified Senior
Certified Project Certified Projects
Management Project Manager
Manager (Level C) Director (Level A)
Associate (Level D) (Level B)

Entry-level (1 year Intermediate (3 years Advanced (5 years or Advanced (5 years or

Experience:
or less) or more) more) more)

60 multiple-choice 12 short-essay
Application with
questions (50 questions (170 8 situational essay
several rounds of
minutes) and 10 minutes with a 20- questions (90 minutes)
Exam: interviews and
short-essay minute break) plus plus several rounds of
simulation or role-
questions (120 several rounds of interviews
based scenarios.
minutes) interviews

$445 for IPMA $1,495 for IPMA $1,795 for IPMA $1,995 for IPMA
members members members members
Cost:
$595 for non- $1,695 for non- $1,995 for non- $2,195 for non-
members members members members

Renewal: 5 years (175 CPDs) 5 years (175 CPDs) 5 years (175 CPDs) 5 years (175 CPDs)

•International Project Management Association (IPMA)

With this certification issued by the German
project management association
or “Gesellschaft für Projekt management”
(GPM), the International Project
Management Association (IPMA) finds its
roots originated from GPM.
•The International Project Management Association is a federation that
includes approximately 70 Member Associations that develop project
management competencies in their geographic areas of influence. They
offer four different certification schemes for individuals who want to
improve competences as a project, program, or portfolio manager. It’s
most recognized and popular in Europe.
 APM Project Chartered
APM Project APM Project
Professional Project
Fundamentals Management
Qualification Professional
Qualification (PFQ) Qualification (PMQ)
(PPQ) (ChPP)

Entry-level (1 year Intermediate (2 Advanced (3 years Advanced (5

Experience:
or less) years or more) or more) years or more)

2 or 3-hour exam Written

60 questions (60
Exam: (Between 6 and 16 3-part Exam assessments
minutes)
questions) based on Route

$212 (plus training $458 (plus training $900 (plus training

Cost: $1,250
costs) costs) costs)

None (Good for None (Good for

Renewal: None (Good for life) None (Good for life)
life) life)

•Association for Project Management (APM)

•The Association for Project Management is the only chartered body for the
project profession. It is an educational charity committed to developing and
promoting the value of project management in order to deliver improved project
outcomes. They offer three certifications and a chartered standard. The
certifications incorporate a mix of tools, techniques, processes, skills, and
qualifications, while the chartered standard demonstrates attainment of a defined
level of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behavior.
APMG (APM Group Ltd) InternationalTM is a globally
recognised accreditation and examination institute. APMG
enables organisations to deliver training courses and consultancy
services for a wide variety of professional certification schemes.
APMG’s long history of accrediting organisations in project
management, amongst other subjects, worldwide – combined with
their rigorous assessment process means that APMG accredited
organisations are recognised for their commitment to delivering
exceptional service.
APMG holds a diverse portfolio of certification schemes including
internationally renowned courses for Project, Business and
Information & Technology (IT) Management, Cyber Security, and
Public-private partnerships.
• APM is the branch of IPMA of UK.

• APMG now joined APM

 Certified Junior Certified Senior
Certified Project
Project Project Certified
Manager/Certified
Manager/Certified Manager/Certified International
Agile Project
Junior Agile Project Senior Agile Project Project Manager
Manager
Manager Manager

Entry-level (1 year Entry-level (1 year Advanced (5 years Intermediate (2

Experience:
or less) or less) or more) years or more)

40 questions (35 120 questions (80 120 questions (80 80 questions (60
Exam:
minutes) minutes) minutes) minutes)

$150 (plus training $700 (plus training $950 (plus training $700 (plus
Cost:
costs) costs) costs) training costs)

None (Good for

Renewal: None (Good for life) None (Good for life) None (Good for life)
life)

•International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)

•The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a globe-spanning
association and certification body for project managers. The IAPM’s purpose is to
promote project management competence through research, improve quality in
the field of project management, and review and improve project management
competence by way of knowledge and competence assessments, among others.
They offer seven different certifications.
 PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Agile PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Agile
Foundation Foundation Practitioner Practitioner

Entry-level (1 Entry-level (1 Advanced (3 Intermediate (2

Experience:
year or less) year or less) years or more) years or more)

60 questions 50 questions (60 68 questions 50 questions (150

Exam:
(60 minutes) minutes) (150 minutes) minutes)

$363 (plus $363 (plus $488 (plus $494 (plus

Cost:
training costs) training costs) training costs) training costs)

None (Good for None (Good for 3 years (60

Renewal: 3 years (60 CPDs)
life) life) CPDs)

•PRINCE2
•PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured approach to
project management that focuses on dividing each project into more controlled
stages or phases. It was developed in 1989 (under a different name) as a standard
for information technology projects used by the government of the United
Kingdom and is widely used in the Public Sector. In July 2013, ownership of the
rights to PRINCE2 was transferred from HM Cabinet Office to AXELOS Ltd, which
offers four PRINCE2 certifications.
 Certified Associate in PMI Agile Certified
Project Management
Project Management Practitioner (PMI-
Professional (PMP)
(CAPM) ACP)

Entry-level (1 year or Advanced (3 years or Entry-level (1 year or

Experience:
less) more) less)

150 questions (180 180 questions (230 120 questions (180

Exam:
minutes) minutes) minutes)

$225 for PMI $435 for PMI

members $405 for PMI members members
Cost:
$300 for non- $555 for non-members $495 for non-
members members

Renewal: 3 years (15 PDUs) 3 years (60 PDUs) 3 years (30 PDUs)

•Project Management Institute (PMI)

•The Project Management Institute (PMI) was founded in 1969 and has become the world's
leading and most recognized association for those who consider project, program, or portfolio
management their profession. They serve a global community through globally recognized
standards, certifications, communities, resources, tools, academic research, publications,
professional development courses, and networking opportunities. They offer a variety of
certifications in the area of program and portfolio management, but we’re going to focus on
three specifically related to project management. More than 1 million members across the
world.
Most reorganized

For Starter
 Certified Scrum
Advanced Certified
Certified Professional® -
ScrumMaster (A-
ScrumMaster (CSM) ScrumMaster (CSP-
CSM)
SM)

Entry-level (1 year or Intermediate (1 year Advanced (2 years or

Experience:
less) or more) more)

50 questions (60
Exam: Varies by provider Varies by provider
minutes)

Cost: Starting at $495 Starting at $805 Starting at $1,295

Renewal: 2 years (20 SEUs) 2 years (30 SEUs) 2 years (40 SEUs)

•Scrum Alliance
•After being one of the signatories to the Manifesto for Agile Software Development in 2001, Ken Schwaber
went on to found the Scrum Alliance later that same year. It is the only member-driven non-profit trade
associate and certifying body in the agile space. They focus on nurturing the agile movement by providing
education, advocacy, research, community, and connection. They offer a variety of certifications hyper focused
on the agile approach to project management, specifically on Scrum.
•Because the role of Scrum Master most closely aligns with a project manager (although aspects of Product
Manager certainly apply as well), I will highlight the three certifications they offer for this role.
 Professional Scrum Professional Scrum Professional Scrum
Master I (PSM I) Master II (PSM II) Master III (PSM III)

Entry-level (1 year or Intermediate (2 years Advanced (3 years or

Experience:
less) or more) more)

80 questions (60 30 questions (90 30 multiple-choice and

Exam:
minutes) minutes) essay (150 minutes)

$150 (plus training $250 (plus training $500 (plus training

Cost:
costs) costs) costs)

Renewal: None (Good for life) None (Good for life) None (Good for life)

•Scrum.org
•Ken Schwaber, the co-creator of Scrum, founded Scrum.org in 2009 as a global organization. Yes, that’s the
same Ken Schwaber who founded the Scrum Alliance. If you’re curious why he decided to break away and
launch Scrum.org, you can read his open letter on the Scrum.org about us page.
•Scrum.org provides comprehensive training, resources, assessments, and certifications to help people and
teams solve complex problems. Similar to the Scrum Alliance, they offer a variety of certifications aimed at
helping Scrum practitioners improve their craft. Three of those certifications are offered for Scrum Masters:
PMP Edition 6, input-output approach

APM PMP Prince 2

Guidance of Project and Project
Structure of organisations and Projects Management Prince 2 Principle
Project Life Cycle Organization Impact and Themes
7 Processes (Project
Project Contexts and environments Project Management Lifecycle Lifycycle)
Tailoring and Adopting
Governance and Structured Methodology 12 Project Management Principle Prince 2
Communication Project Integration Management Business Case
Leadership and Teamwork Scope Management Organization
Planning for Success Time/Schedule management Quality
Scope Management Cost Management Plans/Scheule
Schedule and Resource Management Quality Management Risk Management
Procurement Human Resource Management Change Control
Project Risk Management and Issue
Management Communication Management
Project Quality Management Risk Management
Procurement Management
Stakeholder Management
 Value development Components(project, programme, protforlio)
System for value delivery
Information Flow
Project Oversight and Coordination
Present Objectives and feedback

PMP 7th Edition, Principle and

facilitate and support
Perform work and contribute insights
Functions associated with Project
apply expertise
Provide business direction and insight

soft skill approach

Provide resource and direction
Maintain Govermance
Internal Environment
The projct enviroment
External Environment
Be a diligent, respectful and caring steward
Create a collaborative project team environment
Effectively engage with stakeholder

Project Management Principle

Focus on value
Recorgnize, evaluate, and respond to system interactions
Demonstrate Leadership Behaviours
• PMQ is more recognized in UK
Tailor Based contaxt
Build quality into process and deliverables
navigate complexity
Optimize risk response

• PMP is more widely recognized

Embrace adaptablility and resiliency
Enable change to achieve the envisioned future
Structure Choice(Permanent/Temporary) Project Performance Stakeholder management
Organization breakdown (matrix) Project Team Management and Leadership

worldwide
Role and responsibility of PM Team Development
Organisations and Project structure
Other roles of PM Project Team Culture
PMO High Performing Project Team
Team Performance
Teams Estabilishing and Maintaining Vision
Project Lifecycle Critical Thinking
Information Management Motivation
Project Lifecycle
Audits and Assurance Leadership Skills Interpersonal Skills
Close of Project Devlivery Cadence
Project, BAU Development Approach
Project situation Project, Programme, Portfolio Development And Life Cycle Performance Selecting Development Approach
Regulatory Environment Life cycle and phase definition
Communication Plan Aligning delivery cadence, development approach and life cycle

Communication
stakeholder, communication management plan
engage and influence
Conflict management
Planning
Planning Variables
Project Team Compostion and structure
• PMQ is all about ‘what is’
Communication Communication
negotiation Planning Performance Physical Resources
engage and influence Procurement
Leading Team Changes
Leadership and Teamwork

• PMP not only include ‘what is’

Team development Matrics
Leadership Alignment
Business Case Project Process
Benefit management Balancing Competing Constraints

but also tell you ‘how to’

Information Management Maintaining Project Team Focus
Planning project management plan Project Work Performance Project communication and engagement
Estimate managing physical resources
Earned Value Analysis working with procurement
Contingency management Mornitoring new work and changes
Scope definition Delivery of Value
Scope Management Change Control Delivery Performance Deliverables
Configuration Management Quality
Create and maintain a schedule Establish effective measures
critical path what to measure
Schedule and resource
resource optimising presenting information
Measurement Performance
cost planning Measurement Pitfalls
Procurement strategy Troubleshooting Performance
methods of supplier reimbursement Growing and Improving
Procurement
contract relationships General Uncertainty
supplier selection/Contract award Ambiguity
Risk identification Uncertainty Performance Complexity
Risk analysis Volatility
Risk and issue management
Risk managmeent Risk
Issue management What to tailor
Quality Planning Tailoring The tailoring process
Quality
Quality Control Tailoring the performance
Situational Leadership
Communication
Motivation
Commonly Used Models
Change
Complexity
Project Team Development
Data gathering and analysis
Commonly Used Models estimating
Models meeting and events
Strategy
Logs and Register
Plan
Hierarchy Charts
Commonly used Artifacts
Baselines
Visual Data and Information
Reports
Agreement and Conctracts
Project Sponsor
Other PMO
Product
 Organization Certification Costs
CompTIA Project+ $338 (plus training costs)

Project Management Professional $234 ($39 per month - 6 months @ 10

Google
Certificate hours per week)

Global Association of Quality

Associate in Project Management $128 (plus training costs)
Management (GAQM)

Association for Project Management APM Project Fundamentals Qualification

$212 (plus training costs)
(APM) (PFQ)

PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Foundation $363 (plus training costs)

Qualification
PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Agile Foundation $363 (plus training costs)

International Project Management Certified Project Management Associate $445 for IPMA members

for Starter
Association (IPMA) (Level D) $595 for non-members

International Association of Project

Certified Junior Project Manager $150 (plus training costs)
Managers (IAPM)

International Association of Project

Certified Junior Agile Project Manager $150 (plus training costs)
Managers (IAPM)

Certified Associate in Project $225 for PMI members

Project Management Institute (PMI)
Management (CAPM) $300 for non-members

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI- $435 for PMI members

Project Management Institute (PMI)
ACP) $495 for non-members

Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Starting at $495

Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) $150 (plus training costs)
 Organization Certification Costs

Global Association of Quality Professional in Project $210 ($320 with e-

Management (GAQM) Management (PPM) course)

Global Information Assurance GIAC Certified Project Manager $999 (includes

Certification (GIAC) (GCPM) training costs)

APM Project Fundamentals APM Project Management $458 (plus training

Qualification (PFQ) Qualification (PMQ) costs)

$494 (plus training

Qualification PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner
costs)

for inter- International Project Management Certified Project Manager (Level

$1,495 for IPMA
members
mediate (3-5 Association (IPMA) C) $1,695 for non-
members
years International Association of Project Certified International Project $700 (plus training
experience of Managers (IAPM) Manager costs)

APM/PM) Scrum Alliance

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster
(A-CSM)
Starting at $805

Professional Scrum Master II $250 (plus training

Scrum.org
(PSM II) costs)
 Organization Certification Costs
$210 ($280 with e-
GAQM Certified Project Director (CPD)
course)
$488 (plus training
PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Practitioner
costs)

$1,795 for IPMA

International Project Management members
Certified Senior Project Manager (Level B)
Association (IPMA) $1,995 for non-
members

$1,995 for IPMA

Advanced: International Project Management

Association (IPMA)
Certified Projects Director (Level A)
members
$2,195 for non-
members

more than 5 International Association of Project

Managers (IAPM)
Certified Senior Project Manager
$700 (plus training
costs)

years of International Association of Project

Managers (IAPM)
Certified Senior Agile Project Manager
$950 (plus training
costs)

experience Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP)

$405 for PMI
members
$555 for non-
members

Certified Scrum Professional® -

Scrum Alliance Starting at $1,295
ScrumMaster (CSP-SM)
$500 (plus training
Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master III (PSM III)
costs)
Best Choice for APM/PM:
 Best choice
for Project
Vulcain Engineering PPA
Controller/
Risk/Cost/
Planning:
Best Choice for experienced APM/PM

• 2 Proposer

• 35 CPD Points

• Package of
evidence

• 2 hours interview

• 35 CPD Points • 35 CPD Points

• 1 hour interview • 30 minutes interview

•Q&A