I received an email form the studio audience, which sparked one my rare but entertaining rants.
“…companies need to use PMPs, not untrained but experienced project leaders. If you have any resources I could use, please email them to !!””
Deep breaths Josh deep breaths
That’s lazy!
If you make screening for PMP certification a part your hiring strategy and, even worse, you reject candidates who do not have it, you are being lazy. It’s a lazy way of looking at candidates and will result in terrible results. If you don’t look at the whole picture, you will turn away rock stars who would have been your rock star candidates.
Yes, it is more work. It’s more work, but it’s worth it to find the right person to hire.
I have worked with many people who didn’t have certifications and many who did not have advanced degrees who were able to sweep the floors with most credentialed PMPs.
You will end up paying for it long-term if you use PMP blinders when hiring project managers.
That’s absurd
What does it mean to be “untrained but skilled project leaders”? Do they deliver results? Why should I care about the 3 letters that are behind their name in this case?
Please tell me.
I hate the process of screening PMP candidates. I look at the entire package and all certifications or training will be considered. ?But I have dealt with too many people who looked great on paper, but were incapable of completing the job.
This lies about a PMP certification as a sign of competence is why I get so many questions about the PMP exam from new project managers. They think they must take it even though they don’t have much experience. It makes me very upset.
But…I’m not a Hater
I am a PMP even though I did not drink any of the k00l aide that was apparently being passed around.
I believe certifications of all stripes are great, especially if you learn a lot along the way to?achieve them. Your paradigm shifts. ?Heck, I help people to get certified, but I insist on doing it for the right reasons and the right way. ?I knew that many companies do the same things I am railing against. That is why I got my PMP. ?It’s true. It’s a good thing to face reality.
However, the primary benefit I received wasn’t the certification. It was the process of learning. My thinking was expanded. ?In some ways, I discovered how wrong the PMI’s approach in several cases. ?It is impossible to describe everything. This was one of my early criticisms. ?I would rather expose myself to something prescriptive so I can take the parts that work well and apply them in my own work. It broadened my mind and I was able to benefit from it.
pant…pant….wheew….ah…that’s better.
Thoughts?

Oswald