The Best Project Management Certifications in 2023

Unbiased proof of project management knowledge and ability demands Project management certifications that equip you with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to succeed in any chosen field.

It demonstrates your high level of dedication and commitment to project management as a career. These certifications eventually make a project manager capable of handling a wide variety of challenges and preset tasks to help increase the flow of the business industry.

There are certifications available for every level of project management, from entry-level to advanced.

10 Best Project Management Certifications 2023

Project Management professional 

Project Management professional (PMP) is one of the most recognized certifications globally. It is a test that covers everything that is needed to be proved in management. The major skills tested are cost, time and scope. Project management professional is supervised by its parent organisation, Project Management Institute (PMI®). 

A challenging course, it constitutes various modules to assist academia in recognising the weak spots within a project. As a result, the project manager can educate his or her team on how to complete the test sprint phase and eventually meet all of the milestones on the way to a finished product.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is part of the basic level IT Project Management Certifications. CAPM is also administered by the PMI®. It is a basic-level certification that’s lined up with plenty of learning and growth opportunities for beginners.

This being an  entry-level certification, there are not many requirements. Interested applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent 1,500 hours of project management experience can apply. 

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Agile Project Management Certification

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification allows the ‘certified professional’ to supervise a group of people who are responsible for working at the direction of the assigned product owner. The CSM also serves as a starting point/tipping point for basic level Scrum Practitioners who want to progress to the next level.

The Scrum Alliance, a globally recognized institute that was founded to promote an Agile mindset in the software industry, is affiliated with the majority of Scrum series certifications.

CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is yet another certification in the Project Management Certifications category. However, its requirements are slightly less stringent, and it has only a passing relationship with the computing industry.

It is safe to say that the CompTIA Project+ certification is on par with the Certified Associate in Project Management certification (CAPM). CompTIA Project+ is primarily concerned with gathering feedback from respondents, government representatives, and research institutes.

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification

The Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Project Management certification is administered by the PMI®. This certification strictly adheres to Agile mindset businesses; primarily companies that believe in identifying core problems and then doing more with fewer resources. The term “agile” is a broad one.

The PMI instructors provide a brief overview of the Agile philosophy from the ground up. The certification then delves into a hands-on practical strategy in which different training modules are conducted to further equip individuals with Agile frameworks.

PRINCE2 – Projects in Controlled Environments

PRINCE2 is a higher-level certification in the project management certification chain. There are a few prerequisites that must be met before you can take the exam; otherwise, the governing administration will not allow you to take it. It simply means that you will be able to complete this certification after first completing a few basic milestones.

PRINCE2 Certified engineers are well-known in their respective fields. Organisations place high expectations on these individuals because they are well-versed in validating employees, core project management skills, concepts about the IT project management lifecycle – and, yes, business development tools.

Certified Project Director – CPD

CPD is a directorial level project management certification where not only is the exam difficult to take, but the accredited institute also has specific requirements to keep the CPD course valid. As a Certified Project Director, you must “maintain” your certification by completing a certain number of hours in field duty.

Similarly, training sessions for subordinates count as an extra plus point. CPD is divided into two categories: formal CPD and informal CPD. They should not be confused because a Formal Certified Project Director is a professional who has earned structured online education, a proper certificate, and supporting documentation.

Master Project Manager (MPM)

Master Project Manager – MPM is modelled for professionals who aim for greater productivity at the workplace. The MPM is primarily aimed at professional project managers, but it also assists professionals in technical and business management roles.

MPM certification can help you earn extra points as IT professionals who work in their companies’ project management domain. By defining and associating management and engineering teachings, it provides a simple but effective training environment for professionals with a technical background.

Associate in Project Management (APM)™

The Associate in Project Management (APM)™ certificate is an entry-level certification in the field of Project Management. 

It is an important globally recognized credential in the field of project management that demonstrates that the candidate has the required knowledge in the field confining to the entry-level of project management.  The exam comprises 50 Multiple Choice Questions out of which the candidate needs to score 70% (35 out of 50 correct) to pass the exam and the total duration of the exam is 1 hour (60 Minutes).

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt 

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB), is the next certification on the list. Yes, it has a fancy name, and that name comes with a nice fat paycheck and a slew of challenges. 

Another intriguing aspect of CSSBB is that it is not the only certification available in this tier. If you are not up to the challenge or do not meet the prerequisites, you can enrol in the Certified Six Sigma Green Belt program. This is a lower-level certification that serves as a stepping stone for those aspiring to the “Black Belt.” CSSBB is globally recognised and accredited by the ASQ institute. Aside from the CSSBB certification, the ASQ Body of Knowledge has 18 other certifications. 

Advantages of Project Management Certification

Project management certifications, which are frequently recognized globally, induct recipients into a global professional community and boost recipients’ credibility in the eyes of employers.

Those with a project management certification are better prepared to meet the demands of employers all over the world, have better career opportunities, and have a higher earning potential.

How to choose the right Project Management Certification?

The best project management certification to pursue will be determined by a number of factors, including:

• Career stage
• Budget 
• Timeframe
• Format
• Industry benchmarks
• The extent to which the certification can be used in the current workplace
• Desired level of specialisation
• Current or desired workplace

Depending on your current needs and priorities, one of the project management certifications listed above will certainly get you where you want to go in your project management career.