The world of Project Management Certification plays a vital role in validating individuals' knowledge and skills. The two most popular certifications in this era are PMP (Project Management Professional) and APM (Association of Project Management). The debate between APM and PMP is getting hotter by the day passing, but which one to choose? Both of the certifications have their own pros and cons, and choosing the right one might be a challenging task.
In this blog, I will take you through the details of APM and PMP certification, including the benefits of enrolling in a PMP course to prepare for the certification exam. By comparing their features, we'll help you decide which one suits better for your long-term career goals.
What is APM Certification all About?
The Association of Project Management program is a UK-based certification body that provides a range of certifications for upskilling project professionals. APM certifications are crafted to explain expertise and competence in project management, and they are recognised worldwide. The framework of APM certification is designed based on the APM Project Management Body of Knowledge (APM BoK), which provides a detailed guide on project management techniques, principles, and practices.
APM certifications are divided into various Levels, such as:
1. PFQ (Project Fundamentals Qualification):
It offers a comprehensive awareness of project management terminology and comes with multiple choice examinations, giving you knowledge about how to make a positive impact on a project. This qualification is specifically designed for those who want to gain a deep understanding of Project Management Principles. And to get this, one does not need any prior experience or knowledge of this qualification.
2. PMQ (APM Project Management Qualification):
It is the flagship certification provided by APM and designed majorly for project management professionals who want to validate their competence in the world of project management. The PMQ certification covers a comprehensive set of topics, including risk management, project planning, and team management. By pursuing this certification, you will be able to showcase your ability in order to manage projects more efficiently and effectively.
3. PPQ (Project Professional Qualification):
This particular certification is designed for project professionals who are experienced enough to showcase their expertise in project management. The PPQ certification addresses advanced topics such as stakeholder management, project governance, and the benefits of realisation. By achieving this PPQ certification, individuals will be able to validate their ability to lead and manage complex projects.
APM certifications are mostly regarded in the industry, and they help project professionals enhance their knowledge, skills, and career prospects. By achieving APM certification, professionals will be able to showcase their expertise in project management and higher their chances of getting selected and promoted.
In-Depth Overview of PMP Certification
The Project Management Professionals (PMP) credential is issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a US-based certification body. This particular certification is the most globally recognised credential in the project management industry, and it's designed to explain the expertise in project management. The designed framework of PMP certification is based on PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), which offers a comprehensive guide to project management practices, principles, and techniques.
In order to meet the eligibility criteria set by PMI to become a PMP-certified professional, include:
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you need to complete 7500 hours of project management experience, or if you do not carry a bachelor's degree, then you need to have 15000 hours of project management experience.
Individuals should have a high school diploma, associate degree or equivalent.
It is mandatory to complete 35 hours of project management education.
After meeting the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the PMP certification exam, which has a total of 180 multiple-choice questions that are required to test your understanding and knowledge of project management techniques, concepts, and best practices. The exam format is crafts-based to test your ability to apply concepts of project management and techniques to practical world scenarios. PMP certification is one of the highly valued credentials in the industry, and it also helps project professionals to upskill their knowledge as well as career prospects. By pursuing PMP certification, individuals will be able to show their expertise in project management and have a higher chance of getting hired and promoted. Most organisations prefer PMP-certified professionals for hiring in the department of prince management roles, so it is a perfect way to stay ahead of the curve in this competitive job market.
Difference Between APM and PMP
PMP and APM have a very subtle difference, and both are used in project management practices:
1. APM Vs PMP: On the Basis of Significance
APM Meaning
- APM is mainly based on a set of best practices.
- APM includes all levels of experience.
- There are no fixed prerequisites to apply for APM
PMP Meaning
- PMP is a standard for project management practices.
- PMP training has certain limitations
- For PMP certification, there are certain fixed eligibility criteria that one needs to fulfil to get certified.
2. Difference Between APM And PMP: On the Basis of Benefits
Benefits of APM:
Both APM and PMP have their own pros and cons as well as their own set of methodologies to manage projects efficiently.
- Collaboration: APM has a strong emphasis on collaboration and cooperation that motivates employees and enhances effective communication.
- Flexibility: To encourage flexibility in project management, APM helps a lot and is tailored to the particular needs of each project.
- Fast-track delivery: APM has a strong emphasis on meeting tough deadlines, which results in fast delivery periods and shorter time-to-market.
Benefits of PMP:
- The PMP certification offers a uniform project management approach, increasing predictability and uniformity outcomes. Below listed are a few benefits of PMP to look for:
- Standardisation: By using an appropriate standardised method like PMP, project management is handled successfully.
- Globally recognised: Widely known PMP certification helps to increase earning potential and employment opportunities.
- In-depth knowledge: The PMP certification covers various project management-related abilities and areas.
3. APM Vs PMP: On the Basis of Limitations
Limitations of APM: The flexible structure of APM can make it challenging to measure development and success, as well as result in a lack of framework, specifically in APM Case Studies. To understand the application of APM in a better way, referring to the APM PMQ study guide would be beneficial for proper preparation and insights. APM has certain limitations other than the lack of clear framework.
- Rigorous: This project management certification is hard to crack, which is why it is considered as rigorous.
- Limited scope: It is not appropriate for all projects, particularly those with strict timelines and budgets.
Limitations of PMP: The structured PMP approach is sometimes not flexible but rigid, which makes it more difficult to transform to specific project needs. The toughest challenge of PMP is managing money and time. The PMP certification needs a major cash commitment and meaningful time commitment, including the cost of study materials and exams.
Why Choose APM?
It is hard to keep up with, but APM provides a clear path for career development. It also provides training for every level of project management. APM can be used in the following scenarios:
- Projects with a minor formal structure or a small team: projects with a huge level of risk and uncertainty.
- Agile projects with dynamic needs
- Companies that are in IT, software, and creative industries use project management that values teamwork and adaptability.
- Projects with a complicated and broad scope, and also with a fixed schedule and defined budget, are a few examples where PRINCE2 vs APM can be compared to PMP
- Projects with a huge number of compliance and regulations
Why Choose PMP?
PMP is one of the most highly respected credentials offered by PMI and is also labelled as the gold standard for project management. PMP is also known as the most prestigious certification for project managers that can be used in various scenarios. To get this credential, it is also very important to gather knowledge and understand people, processes and business environment, which are basically covered in a PMP course.
APM vs PMP: Which one to Choose?
There is always space for improvement regardless of your expertise in project management - this is where APM and PMP act as game-changers by offering exactly the same. To get more clarity while choosing between APM and PMP, consider the following factors:
Organisational culture and values
Project scope and requirements
Available resources, including time and financial restraints
The talents and expertise of the project team
Industry-specific best practices and standards for project management.
Along with these, consider experience, career goals, and location. If you are UK and Europe-based, then it is always better to opt for APM certification. On the other hand, PMP certification is more strongly recognised globally by industries across the world and is also weighed as a benchmark for project management qualification.
Final Words
I've walked you through the ins and outs of Association for Project Management (APM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications, including a detailed comparison of both. By now, you should have a solid understanding of what APM and PMP certifications entail, their benefits, and their challenges. If you're considering APM certification, exploring tips to pass the APM exam can be a valuable resource. Meanwhile, PMP Certification stands out as a globally recognized credential that can significantly boost your project management career. Ultimately, this comparison of APM vs PMP should give you a clearer idea of which certification path aligns best with your professional goals.
