So much money is on the line, so many departments are involved, and so little time remains before the deadline. This statement could describe too many information technology projects. In this fast-paced and stressful environment, planning is essential, and IT project managers have little room for error.

Perhaps that’s one reason why several organizations are targeting the IT industry by offering classes and certifications for project managers. Download a list of project management certifications for a compilation of the essential information you’ll need to select the project management coursework and certification that fit your needs.

Back by popular demand
This download is actually the second version of the project management certification list. Earlier this year, TechRepublic compiled a list of project management certs into a download that was so popular we wanted to update it with new certification programs.

Project planning is one of the most-discussed topics on TechRepublic. In a recent article on project management, several members explained how they often struggle with management issues. One member, mary.dempster, described the internal battle within her organization:

“It is extremely difficult to be successful in large corporations that want the moon, and they want it now. We keep hearing, ‘We’re on Internet time, we don’t have time for processes.’
All of us that have earned the stripes the hard way know you cannot be successful with a chaotic project where the decision makers don’t want process and at the same time want everything NOW.”
—mary.dempster

What to expect
Planning techniques are the cornerstone of project management and the certification programs reflect that reality. For instance, here’s an outline for scope definition and planning classes that comprise half of the cert program from the Gartner Institute:

Scope definition

  • Identify stakeholders’ needs and expectations including boundaries for project budget, duration and risk.
  • Identify and define high-level business-related requirements, outcomes, and criteria for success.
  • Perform a project-requirements analysis to determine if the requirements are complete, achievable, and within the defined project scope.
  • Define the project manager role/authority in various business environments.
  • Create a scope document that accurately represents the project size and specifics.
  • Build consensus among stakeholders and obtain written approval from stakeholders.

Planning

  • Create an accurate and realistic work breakdown structure (WBS).
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform risk assessment and mitigation.
  • Recognize and explain the issues considered in project effort, time, and cost estimation.
  • Identify and list the components needed to generate a workable project schedule.
  • Create and manage a project budget.
  • Identify selection criteria for project team members.
  • Perform an analysis of vendor tasks and deliverables and create the plan.
  • Create and manage an appropriate communication plan.
  • Determine the quality performance measures.
  • Organize a comprehensive project plan.

The Gartner Institute coursework provides a list of action items for two more project phases: execution and closure.

Earlier this year, Gartner Institute awarded the maintenance and development of their certification program to Wave and Prometric. However, the program will retain the name, Gartner Institute.

The Gartner Institute program is one of 11 project management certification programs we’ve outlined. To learn more, download the informative list now.
Do you have a project management certification? Would you recommend this to other IT pros? Post a comment to this article or send us an e-mail.