Raidan:
"Project Management" as defined by ANSI/PMI 99-001 was created in response to US Federal Government desire to standardize project management. The US Government, perhaps the largest project-based employer in the world, wanted companies who do project-based business with the Federal Government held to a single standard. As such, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in conjunction with PMI created a the industry consensus standard, ANSI 99-001 "Standard for Project Management."
That you don't like it or you don't want to follow the standard is irrelevant to the overall discussion: If you or your company want to do project-based business with the Federal Government, you will be expected follow ANSI/PMI 99-001. It is just that simple. Period.
Furthermore, the PMP certification is a baseline: It merely indicates that (1) you have a baseline of project management experience and (2) you passed a standardized test on any given day. It means no more or less than that. PMP certification, like any other professional certification is simply a statement by the certifying organization that you have a base-level of experience and you have passed a standardized test. It does not imply, one way or the other, of how good or bad of a project manager you are.
If you don't want to take the exam because you see no value in it then my advice is, "Don't." Why waste the time, talent and treasure of studying for the exam? If your current employer (assuming you're not self-employed) is requiring it, ask them why they are requiring it.
I'm not a professional "Project Manager," but in my business I must manage projects professionally. I found that in studying for the PMP exam I can improve the projects that I do for clients, and as such, give them a better product that will be more appreciated.
Harry
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Harry J. Elston, Ph.D., CIH, PMP