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Every top IT certification list has included project management certificates for years. This is so because project managers are crucial to all types of IT operations. These five top certifications can help you develop or enhance your soft skills, which will raise your worth whether you want to become an IT project manager or just want to add project management to your list of soft talents.

Project management must be the one set of soft skills that has been consistently on the radar of the IT industry for the past ten or so years, making it almost as important and in high demand as top-level credentials. This field has developed into a highly prized credential for IT workers of all stripes, in large part because of the enormously well-liked and aggressively sought-after Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). This is due to the fact that it increases and broadens the value of almost every other type of technical degree.

Planning, scheduling, establishing a budget, as well as carrying out and reporting on projects of all kinds and forms, are all part of project management. In reality, every activity related to information technology (IT) can be seen or managed as a project of some sort. It applies to unique operations that only happen once or extremely infrequently (such as upgrading hardware or operating systems or moving to newer platforms or infrastructures). Similar reasoning applies to a set of routinely occurring actions (such as software updates, security patches, or other maintenance chores). Project management is so crucial and beneficial to all aspects of IT operations.

IT professionals with a PMP report median base annual salary in the United States of roughly $116,000, according to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition [pdf]. The top 25% of survey participants state that their basic wages are at least $139,000. Salaries for some PMP certificate holders might be much higher depending on the complexity and size of the projects, location, areas of specialization (such IT, construction, or healthcare), and experience.

Project management is a popular credential, according to Robert Half's technological & IT 2019 Salary Guide, with earnings ranging significantly per technological area. It lists a compensation range for project managers working in application development settings of $93,000 to $157,500. Project managers working in consulting and system integration roles can anticipate a national salary range of $96,250 to $163,500. This explains why, since the early 2000s, PMP has consistently ranked in the top 10 of lists of the most popular, targeted, or sought certifications. It comes as no surprise that Robert Half puts the PMP certification among the "highly valued technology certifications" that are now moving upward in the IT sector, along with Agile and Scrum certifications.

We ran a quick survey on a few well-known job boards in order to give you an idea of the project management qualities hiring managers look for in potential applicants.The PMP is unquestionably the favorite overall and continues to be our top recommendation for project management certifications. Our top five list included the CAPM, the first-level project management certification offered by PMI. The final three choices are the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) from Scrum Alliance, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt qualifications from ASQ. It's also important to note that across all project management certifications, job listings for project managers climbed by 20% from 2018.

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential is supported by the same organization that supports the more senior Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. In fact, people who want to become PMPs gradually rather than all at once may consider the CAPM a stepping stone credential. Because of this, the CAPM is referred to the PMI as a "valuable entry-level certification for project practitioners" that is "designed for those with little or no project experience".

Depending on the applicant's educational background, the PMP needs three to five years of verified on-the-job project management experience. However, the CAPM simply needs a high school diploma and either 1,500 hours of verified work experience (about nine months of full-time employment) or 23 hours of project management classroom training before the exam.

The PMP requires 60 PDUs every three years to maintain their certification, however the CAPM does not. PMI refers to PDUs as professional development units. Every five years, CAPM holders must retake the exam to maintain their certification.

One of the few entry-level project management certifications available to IT workers that are interested in project management is the CAPM, along with the CompTIA Project+. But keep in mind that it's merely a first step toward the PMP.

The CAPM by itself is unlikely to open doors to project management employment unless you work in a large organization with a project management team in place that includes junior as well as senior positions. It's best suited for IT professionals who work in project management part-time or who wish to advance to a full-time position.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Many businesses use Agile approaches to streamline processes, incorporate quality into their products, and make sure that final builds adhere to client specifications as they strive to offer more for less. It is not surprising that there is a higher demand for IT professionals who are trained to manage projects in agile environments as Agile approaches gain popularity.

Although there are several Scrum master certificates available, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from the Scrum Alliance is our top selection. This foundation promotes user groups and educational events, fosters the adoption of Scrum and Agile techniques, and offers opportunities for career advancement. Worldwide, the organization claims to have more than 500,000 qualified practitioners.

The Scrum Alliance offers a network of resources for Scrum practitioners, including user groups, mentoring, online training, virtual communications, and Scrum Gatherings. The Scrum Alliance provides various Scrum-related certifications at the foundation, advanced, professional, elevated (guide), and leadership levels in addition to community and advocacy activities. For team members playing the roles of Scrum master, product owner, and developer, Scrum Alliance certifications have been developed. The developer track only offers a foundation and professional level certification; in contrast, the Scrum master and product owner tracks offer credentials at the foundation, advanced, and professional levels.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM), and Certified Scrum Professional - Scrum Master (CSP-SM) are the three levels of the Scrum Master Track.

Product Owner Track: Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO), Certified Scrum Professional - Product Owner (CSP-PO), and Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

The Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) and Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) tracks are for developers.

Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Team Coach (CTC), and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) are elevated or guide credentials.

Agile Leadership: The Scrum Alliance also provides the Certified Agile Leadership (CAL) program, a certification built on a combination of formal education and verified professional experience. The Certified Agile Leadership I and Certified Agile Leadership II are the two certificates available.

The CSM is a fantastic entry-level accreditation for project managers who want to start out as Scrum practitioners. Candidates will learn how to adopt and use Scrum in real-world situations in addition to demonstrating a mastery of Scrum's guiding principles and values. The Scrum Alliance offers CSMs a variety of tools, including checklists and details on the servant-leadership responsibilities of the Scrum master.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

ASQ certifications are widely acknowledged as proof of a candidate's experience, command of industry and legal standards, and command of the ASQ Body of Knowledge. The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (expert level), the Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional level), and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) (entry level) are the three certificates offered by ASQ currently that explicitly target project management.

The highest Six Sigma certificate offered by ASQ is Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. The CSSBB is designed for seasoned professionals who are familiar with Six Sigma approaches (including the DMAIC model), tools, systems, and mindsets. Teams can be managed in terms of dynamics, roles, and duties via CSSBBs.

The CSSBB accreditation process is difficult. Candidates must successfully execute two projects using Six Sigma tools and methods, resulting in project improvement and a favorable financial project impact, in addition to passing a thorough exam. Additionally, an affidavit is needed to confirm the validity of the project. In contrast, applicants who have at least three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas only need to complete one Black Belt project.

Candidates for the CSSBB must show that they have mastered the following standards from the ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge:

• Organizational Planning and Deployment (leadership, organizational factors)
• Management and Measures of Organizational Processes (Impact on Stakeholders, Benchmarking, Business Measures)
• Management of teams (creation, facilitation, dynamics, and training)
• Specify (the customer's voice, the business case and project charter, the project management tools, and the analytical tools)
• Measure the following: process capabilities, data gathering methods, measurement systems, fundamental statistics, and probability.
• Analyze (measure and model the relationships between the variables, test your hypotheses, look at failure modes and effects, and other analysis techniques)
• Improve (experiment design, use of lean techniques)
• Control (statistical process control and other controls, uphold controls, keep progress going)
• Framework and procedures for Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) (design for DVX, resilient designs, and common DFSS methodologies)

The CSSBB has a three-year expiration date. Candidates must pass the exam again or accumulate 18 recertification units in order to recertify.

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

A professional-level credential aimed at Six Sigma practitioners with expertise is the Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) from ASQ. A CSSGB frequently serves as an assistant or under the leadership of a CSSBB with more experience. CSSGBs help projects improve in terms of process and quality by identifying problems.

Candidates must have at least three years of experience working with Six Sigma processes, systems, and tools in order to acquire the certificate. An unpaid internship, for instance, does not qualify as work experience; the employment must have been full-time and compensated. Additionally, at least one of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge skill areas had to be represented in the work that was done.

Candidates must pass an exam that gauges their proficiency with the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge in addition to having relevant job experience. The Green Belt Body of Knowledge currently consists of six competency areas:

• Overview: Lean principles, design techniques, and Six Sigma and the Organization
• Phase definition (team dynamics and performance, project identification, customer voice, project management fundamentals, management and planning tools)
• Measurement Phase (process analysis and documentation, statistics and probability, data collection, evaluation of the measurement system, process and performance capabilities)
• Analyze Phase (experimental data analysis, test of hypotheses)
• Phase of improvement (experiment design, root cause analysis, lean tools)
• Control Phase: Lean technologies for process control, statistical process control, and control plan

All things considered, this is a great certification for people who have some experience but are not yet prepared to assume the obligations and responsibilities of a Black Belt.

PMP: Professional in Project Management

In addition to supporting its Project Management Professional certification, the Project Management Institute (PMI) collaborates with educational institutions and training providers to guarantee sufficient coverage and up-to-dateness in the many curricula that support this and other PMI credentials. One of the most esteemed project management qualifications available, PMI's PMP has more than 500,000 global members and 750,000 certified professionals worldwide. (Note: This article's preceding part discusses the CAPM, which was the predecessor to the PMP.)

That is why there are so many organizations that offer college- and university-based PMP training. It's also the reason why PMP coverage may occasionally be included in specific degree programs (typically at the master's degree level).

Employers looking for the most qualified project management experts prize the PMP credential. The PMP certification, which was created by project managers, is the top tier of PMI credentials. It is made to make sure that those who hold the credential have the abilities and knowledge required to properly manage every stage of a project, including the beginning, planning, scheduling, controlling, and closing phases.

The triple limitations of time, cost, and scope are all managed by project managers who have earned the PMP certification. Employers rely on PMP experts' abilities to manage budgets, track expenses, control scope creep, recognize when changes to the triple constraints may result in risk for the project, and take steps to reduce that risk in order to safeguard the project's investment.

The requirements to become a PMP are high. Credential holders must first prove and receive certification that they possess the knowledge and training required to thrive in the field of project management before taking a thorough exam. The five stages of project management include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing off the project. Those seeking credentials should be prepared to produce documentation for things like education, projects worked on, and hours spent in each of these stages.

Even though it's challenging to obtain, earning a PMP credential can have a big payoff. The 10th Edition of PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey shows that PMPs in the United States make on average 23% more than non-credentialed workers. According to the poll, the typical salary for PMPs in the US is $115,000, compared to $92,000 for project managers who are not PMP qualified.

PMI offers a number of intriguing extra qualifications for those with an interest in program management or who want to specialize in a particular area of project management:

• Targets professionals that oversee numerous projects on an organizational level. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• Targeting people in charge of overseeing organizational project portfolios, portfolio management professional (PfMP)
• Project management professionals using the Agile project management methodology are the target audience for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
• Focusesing on business analysis and the capacity to establish stakeholder needs, project scope, and business solution outcomes, the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
• A specialist credential focusing on risk assessment, identification, and mitigation is the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP).
• A credential for project managers tasked with creating and maintaining project schedules is the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).

For IT workers and other professionals whose duties include project management, the PMP certification continues to be unmatched. It serves as the benchmark for evaluating all other project management qualifications.

It should be emphasized that in addition to fulfilling the qualifications, applicants must successfully complete a challenging exam. Before registering for the exam, candidates must get an eligibility ID from PMI.