Project Management Qualification

[clipper1981]

I am interested in getting a qualification in Project Management but unsure whether to begin with the IPMA International Certification offered by the Institute of Prj Mgt Ireland or should I go for something like Prince 2?

Can someone out there advise me what they feel would be the best course/qualification to start with? Do the majoroty of IT jobs consider Prince a requirement?

Any advice on this is much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[tiger]

It changes from company to company, but in general most companies would consider the different qualifications broadly similar.

Prince2 seems to be UK focused, I would guess is of most value if working with the public sector in the UK.

IPMA is the European standard.

PMI is US focused & seems to be popular with the US multinationals here.

I did the diploma with the Institute of Prj Mgt Ireland a couple of years back. Got the IPMA as a result and also covers the pre-requisites for sitting the PMI PMP exam.

Course is expensive though, and is probably best for those 1-2 years into project mgmt. I'd seen alot of the material in other training.

 

[clipper1981]

Cheers tiger much appreciated

 

[Alun]

My wife did the same course as tiger last year, and went on to do the PMI PMP exam as well. Her company paid for her course, but it was hard work, and the PMI exam especially involved a lot of rote learning, learning the "right" way to do things and call things, i.e. the PMI way. It's also a bit of a money-spinning business if you want to maintain the PMP qualification, attending courses, seminars etc. to gain points.

 

[huskerdu]

In answer to your question about it being a requirement, my experience is that there are no requirements for IT project manangement jobs, except experience. A qualification will look good on a CV, but will not be a prerequisite.