TOPIC: Should I Take This PMP Criticism Seriously?

Hey everyone,
I came across this post where someone basically says the PMP exam is nonsense compared to real-life project management. Now I’m second-guessing things. I don’t want to chase something that won’t really help me, but I also don’t want to abandon a path just because of one negative opinion. Should I take this criticism seriously, or is it just one person’s experience?

Would really appreciate any insights.

Hi Chrisy,

PMP is not the right choice for everyone, but it is suitable for most professionals working in project management.
I can tell that it boosted my Career (and my earnings), and I did and still do benefit a lot from it (meanwhile, I am even a PgMP).

However,
Have you also read the replies to this posting you mentioned?

For instance, mine: www.project-management-prepcast.com/kune...a-real-life-pm#32149

If you are still unsure, I invite you to reach out directly (best on LinkedIn) and we can discuss further to determine if PMP is the best choice for you.

BR,

Markus

I agree with everything Marius has said.
Commenting so you know there are many of us out there who genuinely do believe the PMP holds value.
For me the PMP certification helped me pivot into this line of work, that I really enjoy - I used to be in Management Consulting before (while I enjoyed that too, I consciously wanted to switch roles and the PMP certification helped me with that).
Meanwhile, I have also earned the PMI-ACP certification (as well as CSM and CSPO). I am a bit naturally curious about the frameworks taught by each of these courses/ certifications and I do find value in those perspectives.
When you get to the application part of things - this is where I like to say Project/ Program management is an art and a science. You will have to adapt, edit and improvise on whether you learn during your certification and apply it to real life situations. That goes without saying. But just because you cannot use a 100% copy-paste formula in real life does not make the learning from PMP any less valid.

See also my reply just under his criticism. My comments are still valid: if YOU don't see value in it, then don't pursue it.

In 2018 I passed the exam. At the time, I was an IT manager for a large company assigned to the Southern California region. Four days after passing the exam, my manager asked the director of the PMO, if needed help. I was assigned four projects. Six months later, I transferred to the PMO permanently. Six months after that, we moved out SoCal to the east coast as I able to work remotely and no longer tied to the SoCal region. My PMP opened doors for me that would not have been if I didn’t have the certification. And it continues to do so to this day. Don’t listen to the nay sayers. If you think project management is the right path for you, the PMP cert is still a highly valued credential.

If you want to increase your chances of possibly getting a pay bump as a project manager in certain companies, or if you want to make yourself a bit more competitive on paper when applying to certain companies who use it as a way to weed out candidates, I think it can definitely help in that regard. If you want to improve your practical skills as a project manager, or expect that the PMP certification will give you some uncommon insight into project management, or are hoping that the PMP will signify that you are competent, or if you already have a track record as a PM -- then no, it is not worth the time, effort, or $$$. This isn't a medical, engineering, law, or even cosmetology license we're talking about (which are all required by law to practice). The very fact that you and so many others question the point is revealing in a lot of ways. I've done all the training on it and have yet to see the point (and am actually more confused by it than anything else). But if you want it and are ok with shelling out the cash and energy, go for it. In my view, it's an unnecessary hurdle that was fabricated by an industry in order to sell training materials and exams. But again, just my opinion from my own experience.

Dear One,
Negative post like such shouldn't be taken into account for they are nothing more than the frustration of a defeated aspirants.
I have personally experienced this certification one of golden achievement not always guaranteeing the splendid success but it shapes you correctly in the project management.It offers you self esteem and more competent and confident Project Manager.
Hence I recommend everyone in the field of project management,to consider and attempt this globally recognised certification.
Prakash Lahase,PMP.

I think it’s worth getting it. I got mine about a year ago and still in my current position, but have had more recruiters reach out . Plus it’s setting me up for the position that I want next.

Not about being a "defeated aspirant". I'm a licensed professional engineer and have managed half a billion dollars in large projects over my career in multiple sectors. I've never heard anyone use the PMP language or wonky processes in real life, nor can I find a practical use for it. As I said, having a PMP on your resume can certainly open doors for you or get you a pay bump if you plan to solely be a PM for your career. And that is valuable. But having a PMP does not have any practical value from my experience. It is about memorizing a bizarre language to pass a test. What you actually need to know as a PM, you will learn on the job by being a PM.

@Andrew

Thanks for your perspective. With your background in engineering and large-scale project delivery, I can fully appreciate where you're coming from.

That said, I respectfully but firmly disagree with the statement that the PMP has no practical value.

The value is precisely in its practicality. The PMP framework, rooted in the PMBOK Guide, is not about memorizing obscure terms. It's a structured approach built on decades of
real-world project experience across industries. And it offers something many professionals don’t have the time or opportunity to build informally: a comprehensive, methodical foundation
for managing projects in a repeatable, scalable, and communicable way.

Just a few practical examples from the PMP toolkit:

Stakeholder management: Understanding influence, interests, engagement strategies. It’s not just theory. It comes with tools like stakeholder maps and communication models that help
prevent misalignment from the start.

Risk and issue management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in a structured way before they become costly issues. Whether you're building infrastructure or implementing
new systems, risk discipline is fundamental.

Scope management and change control: Defining what the project is and what it is not. This helps avoid scope creep and keeps teams focused. The concept of a scope baseline and formal
change processes is something I’ve used in nearly every engagement.

Lessons learned and continuous improvement: Capturing insights and feeding them forward. It's one thing to deliver a project. It's another thing to learn from it systematically.
The PMP approach institutionalizes that.

Regarding the exam itself, it's not a vocabulary test. The current PMP exam is highly scenario-based. You're not being asked to recite definitions. You're being asked to demonstrate how you
would act in real, complex project situations. It's not about language. It's about mindset, structure, and decision-making in the face of uncertainty.

Of course, experience in the field is invaluable. No exam replaces that. But what the PMP offers is a way to reflect on that experience, connect it to a broader body of knowledge,
and operate with a common language across teams, sectors, and borders.

If someone says they’ve never used the PMP framework, I’d argue they probably have, just without realizing it had a name.

That doesn’t make the certification unnecessary. It makes it even more helpful. Because it brings clarity to what many professionals are already doing instinctively and helps elevate that
into something teachable, repeatable, and scalable.

BR,

Markus

Hello,

I have the same feeling many times. I chase after too many things, and I'm not sure what is worth the time and resources.

For me, I looked up neutral sources to see what certifications are most sought after to fact-check the PMI. Multiple sources claim it is the most sought after certification in the world. Then I also searched multiple jobs across different industries to see how many actively asked for PMP. A decent amount do. I just saw one the other day from SpaceX asking for PMP.

I also like how PMI will actually show you how the PMP certificate increases your pay. Their research on it is pretty good.

I personally pursued and obtained my PMP as a means of career progression. Beforehand, I was never really respected during project implementations as customers would always second guess my style or approach. This was largely due to my company utilizing Agile Principles in what was a Traditional Waterfall implementation environment.

In obtaining my PMP I immediately was able to command more respect from my peers and customers when it came to discussions centered around project schedules, milestones, timelines, etc. I have also had multiple remote opportunities presented as well, as Project managers that are certified are in extremely high demand as the Project manager Vertical has been expanding vastly over the last 10 years. There is a ton of career growth in the profession and that is by far made easier with your PMP in hand. Happy hunting!!