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Professional development and qualifications

Understand the importance of professional development and investigate the variety of project management qualifications.

The global economy has become more project-oriented, as the practice of project management expands within industries that were traditionally less project-oriented, such as healthcare, publishing and professional services. Opportunities also arise as organisations that increasingly rely on technologies and the projects needed to support them. And organisations are connecting the dots between strategy and action, working to assure that project benefits are truly delivered as expected. In these scenarios, the role of the project manager is pivotal.

(Project Management Institute 2017)

In the context of project management, professional development implies acquiring knowledge and skills which are standardised and up to date with the continually evolving practice of project management.

Please remember, there are many paths to becoming a project professional and no right or wrong way to approach it. Some decide they want to be a project manager and take classes and get certified, while others with unrelated degrees or experience find themselves taking on the responsibilities of a project manager with no formal training.

Your task

Access the two following websites Association for Project Management and Project Management Institute and investigate the possibilities for professional development and obtaining a project management qualification.

Discuss the pros and cons of the possible qualifications that you investigated.