As 2019 is coming to a closure, the entire world is waiting to enter into the new decade bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. We see transitions in all industries, yet there are some elements left unchanged. So it is vitally important to look into some of the sought-after certifications in project management profession in 2020.

Table of Contents

Project Management Professional (PMP®)

PMP® is the most acclaimed and highly desired certifications for project managers with a universal following and global demand. This certification is considered to be a benchmark of project management which proves a candidate’s professional calibre to the employers and prospective clients. Project Management Institute (PMI) works with business establishments and universities worldwide to maintain the eminence and relevance of this certification, and thus regarded as an industry standard.

Target Audience

Project Managers
Team Leaders
Team Managers
Supervisors for PMO
Project Coordinators
Cost

Member: US$405
Non-member: US$555

PRINCE2® Agile

PRojects IN Controlled Environments – Agile (PRINCE2® Agile) certification offered by AXELOS is an alliance of PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies. It focuses on the aspects of governance in project management, without an in-depth exploration of the delivery aspects. It uses the scalable management approach enabling managers to handle projects of any size at ease.

Target Audience

Project Managers
Team Managers
Operation Managers
Project Support staff
Project Board members
Professionals working in an agile project delivery environment

Cost

It costs approximately US$1245 (excluding value-added taxes) which includes classroom training and exam fee

Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
PMI-ACP® is a certification that emphasizes the use of agile methodologies in project management. The certification comprises of Agile strategies such as Scrum, Lean, Kanban, test-driven development (TDD), and extreme programming (XP) to enrich maximum responsiveness to volatility in the market. Considering the number of people taking the PMI-ACP® exams from around the world, it is not an exaggeration to call it universally recognized

Target Audience

Experienced and Budding Project Managers
Program Managers
Delivery Managers
Software professionals
Business Analyst
Project Leader
Cost

Member: US$435
Non-member: US$495

CompTIA Project+
This certification equips business professionals, inside and outside of the IT industry with the foundational concepts to manage less complex small to medium-sized projects successfully. Project+ is more versatile when compared to other certifications as it comprises of crucial project management techniques without limiting the scope to just a single framework or methodology.

Target Audience

Small to Medium-sized project managers
IT professionals
Business professionals
Cost

CompTIA Project+ Exam Voucher – US$319

CompTIA Project+ Exam Prep Bundle (includes Exam Voucher, Self-Paced Study Guide, CertMaster Practice and Exam Retake) – US$599

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®)

CAPM® is a beginners’ certification who aspire to become PMP certified but lack the required prerequisite work experience. This certification which is offered by the prestigious PMI prepares those who are at the starting point of their career or less experienced to lead complex projects. To afford greater flexibility, PMI offers a comfortable option of taking your exam online from the place of your home or office or any place of convenience.

Target audience

Team members
Fresh project managers
Project associates and executives
All professionals who aspire a project management career
Cost

Member: US$225

Non-member: US$300

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM®)
Adopting agile methodologies such as Scrum, Lean, and Kanban is the contemporary trend in IT businesses. CSM® certification, which is offered by the Scrum Alliance maximizes your performance in your Scrum team to a top-notch level. It also protects the team from internal and external distractions. There are nil prerequisites for this certification, thus making it a viable option for beginner-level managers, those working as a team, and any workplace utilizing Scrum techniques

Target Audience

Project Managers
Business Analysts
Team Leaders
Developers, Testers & other techies
All team members
Cost

On average, a two-day workshop costs between US$1000 – US$2000. The first exam attempt is included in this fee. Attending the workshop is a pre-requisite for taking up the examination

Final Word
Before opting a course, it is crucial that you evaluate the stage of the career you currently are, the industry you wish to work in the near future, and the time, effort and money you could spend

Dr Faiz Rasool
CEO and Founder at PM Training School (PMI Premier and SAFe Transformation Partner)
Faiz runs PM Training School, a PMI's Premier Authorised Training Partner and SAFe Bronze transformation partner. Dr Faiz Rasool is a multi-award winning Agile and Business Transformation Consultant, Speaker, Trainer and Coach who finely combines on one hand an in-depth knowledge and grasp of Project/Programme/Portfolio Management and on the other hand, experience and expertise in Business Strategy, Business Analysis and Change Management. A rare mix of competencies that perfectly blend and are needed for driving corporate growth. Faiz have demonstrated a track record of driving growth, managing successful transformation projects, improving Business Process, and successfully creating solutions for complex business problems. Faiz brings a mix of best practice thinking, practical experience and working knowledge of the local operating environment to projects and consulting engagements.
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