Best Online Certifications for Project Managers in IT Companies

While in fluid and fast-paced IT environment, the project managers are the ones who steer the projects towards victories. As technology field keeps on evolving, we would need to acquire the latest skills and resume updating with learning of skills required and acquire relevant certifications for sure growth. On this article, I’ll distinguish some of the best online certifications that are made especially for IT project managers including project management course materials.

The project managers can act in an extremely important position when projects are executed and managed in the organization. These A-level individuals provide the expertise in charge of planning, programming and the overall management of projects from the initial stages to finalists. They function as project managers whose main objective is to make sure that the work is accomplished as scheduled, according to specifications and without surpassing the budget. Through these project management software, they are helped a lot in their iron development process. The project management software helps them in the initiation of project and the delivery of the project.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of Project Managers

1. Project Planning

A manager of the project will fashion a project plan that will include, but not limited to, the scope, objectives, timelines, and resources requirements. This initial planning is quite critical to promoting project’s overall goals as well as the overview of all involved.

2. Team Leadership

A competent project manager is a leader who not only generates the energy of his/her team, but also ensures it getting done and attaining its goals. They take charge of allocating tasks, offering guidance, and promoting a collaborative environment that inspires teammates to solve their challenges creatively and productively.

3. Communication

Communication is a linchpin of the entire project management process. They link up with a range of constituencies comprised of teams working there and relevant parties to share experiences, offer solid advice and troubleshoot problems as the project progresses to ensure it runs smoothly.

4. Risk Management

Risk exposure management is a critical role carried out by the project manager. They evaluate possible dangers, create mitigation solutions and handle the issues from the front view to keep the project on time.

5. Resource Management

Project managers skillfully use and manage resources/priorities. This can be achieved by tangible measures such as research and development budget, human capacity development and supplies and services. They create the environment which implements the resource assisting in timely achievement of milestones.

6. Timeline Management

It is vital for project managers to handle time correctly. They develop realistic pipelines for the schedule, build mileposts, and follow-up progress to ensure that the initiative remains on track.

7. Quality Assurance

The quality of deliverables must contain tenets for business efficiency. They set quality standards, carry out periodic audits, as well as implement measures to ensure the project achieves a high standard performance/delivers above-average outcomes.

8. Adaptability

Projects, as a rule, face the issues unknown and referred to project management as individuals. They change plans or solutions according to situation and, thereby, make wise decisions that ensure timely progress of the project.

9. Client Satisfaction

This is seen even within the client-focused projects of the project managers in that client happiness is given particular emphasis. They know the necessity to understand client requirements, a constant communication flow, and always outperform clients’ expectations.

10. Review and Finalize: Project Closure and Review

Finally, project managers will be engaged in project closure activities, namely concluding with the deliverables, analyzing the post-project evaluations and writing the lessons learned. This stage is the bases for further excellence across any upcoming project later.

11. Professional certifications and advanced training are the keys to the future

Another option many project managers embark on is to obtain various certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or PRINCE2 which will help them to heighten their proficiency and improve upon their reputation. The periodical skill upsurge or further study is the necessary element of the successful project management career.

12. Ethical Leadership

Project managers are approved to practice ethical values in their business dealings and their dealing with others. They place significance on integrity and that makes them carry on with projects that are done in an ethical and responsible manner.

To make it short, project managers are confederates who shoulder the task of bringing together huge numbers of talents and resources towards achieving the project objectives. Either through their contributions as leaders, communicators, and risk managers or by helping the project teams to take the proper direction and adapt to situations, they play an important role in project execution. Lest we forget that they are the backbone of the project’s success which in turn is what that contributes to the organizational achievements.

Certifications for Project Managers

Many individuals who are passed from IITs, IIITs, NITs, and IIMs are starting their journey in the IT industry as the Project managers but others who have experience in IT and want to start their journey as Project Managers can pursue following exams/project management courses and get their certifications which has world wide acceptance. These certifications not only open the avenue to the Project management field but also able to provide lucrative placement and packages.

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

The renowned PMI (Project Management Institute) is an awarding body that administers the PMP certification after a candidate passes the exam. This certification is reputed to be one of the most noble qualifications in the field of PM. The core advantage of the PMP certification is its global recognition. It involves almost all project management functions – from initiation till the completion of project. PMP certification acts as a proof in point of the project manager’s true leadership qualities and capability.

2. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification

Agile Scrum training with CSM certifications is conducted by Scrum Alliance, a worldwide regulating body for CSM exams. The Agile-based CSM certification will be helpful for the project managers working in the organizations that follow the Agile methodology or have adopted such an approach for projects. Switched on Scrum Philosophy as the title indicates, focuses on the Scrum principles. It emphasizes on the areas of collaboration, adaptability, and iterative progress.

3. ITIL Foundation

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certification is undeniably important for project managers, if they are the ones who are involved with IT Service Management. It offers a platform for capturing the successive knowledge, thus, improving the service delivery and support which results in increased project efficiency.

4. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Also from PMI, CAPM has been designed and is suitable for people start or studying project management. It boxes recording of basic knowledge and skills needed for successful project management.

5. PRINCE2 Foundation Certification

PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is one of the most commonly used project methodology as it is the main method is widely applied is IT projects. PRINCE2 Foundation qualification makes sure that idea of project management is grounded on the principles and guidelines.

6. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Another nugget of PMI is that the PMI-ACP certification is the great asset that project managers can exploit in Agile projects. To be certified as an Agile expert, the professionals shall hold good knowledge of Agile methodologies and perform all Agile practices.

7. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

ISC (Information Systems Security Certification Consortium) provides CISSP. It showcases ability to perform in different areas such as safety of IT system data and management of cyber security system.

8. CompTIA Project+ Certification

Which is specially meant for new level project managers, CompTIA Project+ begins with the project inception, planning, execution, and monitoring and finishes with the project closing that includes final evaluation. It is technology-agnostic, meaning agnostic to technologies that covers various areas of project management talent.

9. Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

Certified Risk Management Advocate (CRMA) is done by the Institute of Internal Advisory (IIA) which is strategically designed to support risk management process for project managers. It focuses on the internal audit fact-finding and risk assuring mechanisms in the appearance of projects.

10. Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM)

The IAPM, the International Association of Project Management, which is directing the Agile projects, is presenting this certification for anybody leading the Agile projects. It outlines Agile approaches and attributes of leadership that will help you thrive.

In the IT  industry where big projects sometimes comprise of advanced technical aspects, these certifications not only help one to have an edge over the competition but also make one a very valuable hire. They do more than that by taking the skills validating process to a higher level and giving a structured path on which projects will be handled. With more and more IT companies leveraging diverse approaches, a mix of these qualifications will definitely give the manager great chances to increase his/her prowess and career development.

Along with spent time and energy on gaining these certifications one’s professional profile will enriched with the practices which are used and supported by the industry. Keep learning and being open to change and to developments in Project Management methodologies are all the help you need in order to stay on top of the fast-changing IT environment. In terms of evolving, it is not an overstatement to say that these certifications could be project managers’ gateway to success that allow to work efficiently for their own and the companies’ benefit.