Looking to understand the difference between PGMP vs PMP? In this comprehensive guide, IT Exams breaks down the key distinctions between these two popular project management certifications. Discover which one is right for your career and learn more about the specific requirements, exam content, and job prospects associated with each certification. Gain a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of PGMP vs PMP and make an informed decision about your professional development.
What Are PgMP And PMP Certification?
PgMP Certification
PgMP stands for Program Management Professional, and it is ideal for those who manage numerous linked projects at the same time. The combination of many initiatives yields benefits that would not be realized if the projects were finished independently.
According to PMI, “the Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification is a visible sign of your advanced experience and skill, and it gives you a distinct advantage in employment and promotion.”
So, if you’re an experienced program manager or project manager wishing to advance your career, the PgMP certification may be the appropriate decision for you.
PMP Certification
PMP is an abbreviation for Project Management Professional, and it is a certification that is provided to people who satisfy a specific set of standards and pass a challenging test. A PMP certification might help you grow in your present career or increase your job prospects.
If you want to make a name for yourself as a project manager, getting a certified Project Management Professional may be the way to go.
Skilled project managers are constantly in demand, and the Project Management Institute predicts that we will need to fill 2.2 million new project-oriented positions each year until 2027. If that isn’t enough, check out this infographic outlining the top ten reasons to become a PMP. A PMP certificate demonstrates that you are among the finest and that you are knowledgeable in the following areas:
- People and the capacity to manage a project efficiently.
- Process and the capacity to manage projects properly, including their technical components.
- Business Environment, as well as the capacity to emphasize the link between projects, people, and organizational strategy.
By the time they are certified, Project Management Professionals will have shown competence in three major approaches to project management, including:
PgMP vs PMP: Requirements
PgMP Requirements
The PgMP application procedure, like the PMP, asks you to give extensive summaries of your prior project and program management work.
Candidates for the PgMP with a four-year degree must have at least 48 months of project management experience or PMP certification, as well as 48 months of nonconcurrent program management experience in the past 15 years.
Those without a four-year degree must have 48 months of project management experience or PMP certification, as well as 84 months of nonconcurrent program management experience in the past 15 years.
PMP Requirements
All aspiring PMPs must complete 35 hours of formal project management instruction, sometimes known as “contact hours.” You might also possess a certified associate in project management credential.
The following options are available for completing formal contact hours.
- PMI-approved training providers
- Academic courses in a university or college
- Programs funded by employers
- Companies that provide training
- Distance learning programs that incorporate a course evaluation
When applying for PMP certification, you must demonstrate that you have 35 contact hours by listing the schools you have attended, the courses you have finished, and the number of qualifying hours you have done.
A four-year degree is not essential to get PMP certification, but it does minimize the required professional experience. Without a bachelor’s degree, candidates must have at least 60 months of nonconcurrent project management experience. The minimum experience required for candidates with four-year degrees is 36 months.
When submitting your professional experience, you must include a timeline of projects you led, the true title of each project, the project duration, your roles and responsibilities, the number of team members, the budget, a brief description of the project’s purpose, and a summary of the project’s final deliverables.
Read more > > Navigating The PMP Requirements: A Step-by-Step Guide
PgMP vs PMP: Exam Details
PMP Exam
The PMP test is based on what project managers perform on the job. Each question on the test is developed and evaluated by PMP-certified professionals. The test is approved in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 17024.
The PMP® exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that you must complete in four hours. The test is broken into many sections known as performance domains, which include:
- Initiating – 13%
- Planning – 24%
- Executing – 31%
- Monitoring and controlling – 25%
- Closing – 7%
Each area is further subdivided into activities, such as dispute resolution, stakeholder engagement, and analyzing and delivering project benefits and value. Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot area, multiple replies, and matching questions are used.
You get one year and three chances to pass the PMP test when you become eligible to take it. All exam attempts must be proctored, either online or at a testing facility.
On this website, we offer various fun & effective PMP Practice Test practice tests for you to pass with flying colors. Challenge yourself now!
PgMP Exam
The assessment method for the PgMP is divided into two parts: a panel review of your program management experience and a multiple-choice test. Before you may take the test, you must first pass the panel review procedure.
A panel of PgMP-certified volunteers examines the program management summaries you produced in your original application during the review process. This procedure confirms that your experience was conducted with minimum oversight and that it fulfills certification criteria. This procedure might take up to 60 days to complete.
Following the panel review, you must complete a 170 multiple-choice test. Certification candidates have four hours to complete the proctored exam at a testing center. The following themes are addressed in the questions:
- Strategic Program Management, 11 tasks (15%)
- Program Life Cycle, 35 tasks (44%)
- Management of Benefits, 8 tasks (11%)
- Stakeholder management, 7 tasks (16%)
- Governance, 11 tasks (14%)
The exam is separated into five domains: program life cycle, strategic program management, benefits management, stakeholder management, and governance. The majority of inquiries relate to the program life cycle, which includes initiating, planning, executing, managing, and closing.
PgMP vs PMP: Costs
PgMP Cost
PMI members pay $800 for the PgMP test, while nonmembers pay $1,000. PMI membership, like the PMP, may be desirable if simply for the price savings, with the members-only privileges as an additional bonus. Because the PgMP application procedure includes a panel assessment of your work, you are not required to pay until the panel approves it.
PMP Cost
According to PMI, the PMP test price is $405 for PMI members and $555 for nonmembers. If you intend to take the test, joining PMI is a good idea. The membership price is $119 per year, or $32 for students. PMI membership saves you money on the PMP and qualifies you for lower pricing on other examinations, as well as access to the PMI job boards and other member-only perks.
PgMP vs PMP: Benefits
PgMP Benefits
Obtaining the PgMP certificate entails more than simply changing your title. Program managers must exhibit more abilities than project managers, such as big-picture thinking, leadership, team development, and resource management. PgMP certification demonstrates that you excel in each of these areas, making you an appealing prospect to companies.
PMP Benefits
The PMP certification has several advantages. For starters, PMPs earn more than their non-certified counterparts. On average, project managers with PMP certification make 16% more than those without it worldwide. They make 32% more in the United States.
Earning certification proves that you know how to conduct the job correctly. Employers want a project manager who can fulfill deadlines while staying under budget and working as effectively as feasible. PMP certification proves that you can achieve these standards.
Finally, according to a 2021 PMI estimate, 25 million more project managers would be required to satisfy the world economy’s predicted need by 2030. This rising demand may result in more career and growth chances, and PMP certification may help you stand out from the throng. Furthermore, by joining a globally recognized organization of over 1 million PMP holders, you open up new networking opportunities.
PgMP vs PMP: Ideal for
New and experienced project managers pursuing the PMP certification. Because it requires fewer months of project management experience, this certification is an ideal choice for people who still need to complete the requirements for the PgMP designation.
The PgMP, on the other hand, demonstrates that you have skills that go beyond those of a project manager. However, because the PgMP panel review system is stringent and needs detailed explanations of each program you managed, it is critical to first validate that your past experience meets the standards.
Which Is Better- PMP Or PgMP?
To summarize, PMP demonstrates your capacity as a professional to manage, lead, and coordinate time-bound projects while meeting the objectives mentioned. PgMP, on the other hand, demonstrates that numerous such initiatives may be linked to an organization’s strategic vision and goal and provide advantages greater than the sum of the benefits of individual projects. In other words, you must produce advantages that several separate initiatives cannot.
PgMP and PMP are both required credentials in the business. As previously said, these credentials may considerably improve your working life. For example, both have the potential to increase your earnings. In the United States, PMP professionals make 32% more than non-PMP colleagues, while PgMP professionals earn 42% more than non-PgMP program managers.
But which is superior? There are around one million PMP holders globally. On the other hand, there are just roughly 3,000 PgMP holders. That is, there are 333 PMP holders for every PgMP holder. As a result, obtaining a PgMP is a bigger affair and so has more weight than obtaining a PMP. Furthermore, we have found that PgMP qualifications and evaluation are more severe than PMP qualifications and evaluation. As a result, PgMP is held in higher regard in the industry than PMP.
In addition, the yearly average base salary for a PMP professional in the United States is 111,000 USD, and 122,000 USD for a PgMP professional. In other words, PgMP holders often earn 10% more than PMP experts. Based on this PgMP vs PMP wage disparity, we can conclude that PgMP holders make more than PMP experts. As a result, PgMP certification is more useful than PMP certification.
The PMP and PgMP certifications are both highly regarded in the project/program management business. PgMP certification and PMP certification are both prominent qualifications that are highly valued by employers worldwide. Furthermore, they provide opportunities for ongoing professional growth.
By 2030, the global economy will require 25 million additional project professionals, including employment in project and program management. Given the appalling percentages of existing PMP and PgMP holders, there is a massive chasm to fill, and these qualifications will assist you in meeting the expanding demands.
Read more > > CISSP vs PMP: Which Certification Is More Relevant to Your Career Path?
FAQs
Final Words
In conclusion, both PGMP and PMP certifications offer valuable benefits for project management professionals seeking to advance their careers. While the two certifications share some similarities, they differ in terms of scope, requirements, and exam content. PGMP is designed for experienced program managers, while PMP is geared toward project managers of all levels. Ultimately, the decision between PGMP vs PMP depends on your career goals, experience level, and personal preferences. We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to make an informed choice and advance your project management career with confidence.
