Project management certifications have become essential in today’s competitive job market, offering professionals the opportunity to enhance their skills and stand out among their peers. Two notable certifications in the field of project scheduling and control are the PMI-SP (Project Management Institute – Scheduling Professional) and the AACE PSP (AACE International – Planning and Scheduling Professional). In this article, we will dig deep into the details of these certifications, their benefits, costs, and how they can impact your career.

PMI-SP (Project Management Institute – Scheduling Professional)

What is PMI?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a globally recognized organization that sets the standard for project management practices and certifications. PMI offers a range of certifications, each focusing on different aspects of project management.

Founded in 1969, PMI has grown to become a respected authority in project management, offering a comprehensive framework, guidelines, and certifications that empower individuals to excel in their roles and contribute to successful project outcomes.

What is PMI-SP?

PMI-SP is a specialized certification offered by PMI that focuses specifically on project scheduling. This certification is designed for professionals who want to excel in the art of project scheduling, ensuring projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget. PMI-SP certification holders demonstrate their expertise in developing, managing, and maintaining project schedules.

Why Take PMI-SP?

Taking the PMI-SP certification can provide a significant boost to your career. It validates your skills in project scheduling, making you a valuable asset to employers across various industries. PMI-SP holders are equipped to handle complex scheduling challenges, improving project outcomes and increasing their organization’s efficiency.

Who Should Apply for PMI-SP?

According to PMI, if you have advanced knowledge and experience developing, managing, and maintaining project schedules and you’d like to showcase your skills, then the PMI-SP is an excellent choice for you.

Am I qualified to take the PMI-SP exam?

PMI requirements to apply for the certificate are clear.

• Secondary degree
• 40 months of project scheduling experience within the last 5 years
• 40 hours of project scheduling education

OR

• Four-year degree
• 24 months of project scheduling experience within the last 5 years
• 30 hours of project scheduling education

You will be asked to submit documents and references to prove your experiences. Not all submissions get reviewed as only a percentage of the submissions get audited by experts.

We recommend you study the basics of project management like earned value management and basic scheduling methods like the critical path method. This will give you a huge head-start and shorten your path to gaining the certificate. You can start now with this basic planning and scheduling training that discusses in detail all basics of project management and EVM (earned value management).

We created this course in two languages to suit all cultures. It has a case study application too using Primavera P6 and Microsoft Excel. Taking this course along with PMI-SP will guarantee you a place in the competition.

• Planning and Scheduling Basic Course – English
• Planning and Scheduling Basic Course – Arabic

How much is PMI-SP?

The cost of PMI-SP certification varies depending on your PMI membership status. For PMI members, the exam fee is typically lower than for non-members. Additionally, there may be costs associated with study materials and preparation courses but it’s not necessary to take the exam if you have the knowledge and experience.

• Member: $364.00
• Non-member: $670.00

Is PMI-SP valuable?

The PMI-SP certification adds a competitive edge to your resume. It demonstrates your commitment to mastering project scheduling techniques and showcases your ability to contribute to successful project execution. This certification can lead to higher earning potential and open doors to advanced career opportunities.

Like all certificates and training courses, it doesn’t prove that you’re an expert. The certificate alone proves that there is a probability that you know what you’re talking about. Your actions and attitude are what prove your experience and knowledge.

How PMI-SP Can Affect My Career?

Having a PMI-SP certification can set you apart as a scheduling expert in your organization. You’ll be better equipped to lead project teams, optimize resource allocation, and ensure timely project completion. This expertise can lead to promotions, leadership roles, and increased recognition within your industry.

For complete details on the PMI-SP certificate, download the certificate handbook here.

AACE PSP (AACE International – Planning and Scheduling Professional)

What is AACE?

AACE International is another respected organization that offers certifications in the field of project controls, including the Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) certification.

Established in 1956, AACE International is the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering. Together with the AACE International Certification Institute, it serves over 10,000 members and certificates in 100 countries.

What is AACE-PSP?

AACE-PSP (Planning and Scheduling Professional) is a certification provided by AACE. PSP focuses on project planning, scheduling, and control, encompassing a broader range of project management skills.

Why Take AACE-PSP?

The AACE PSP certification equips professionals with comprehensive project control skills. It goes beyond scheduling and goes into other topics such as cost management, risk assessment, and project performance analysis. AACE PSP holders are considered to have better knowledge of handling various aspects of project management, making them valuable assets in project-driven environments.

How to earn the AACE-PSP Certificate?

• An overall average score of 70% or higher is needed to pass the exam.
• The final exam result is arrived at by averaging the score of all four domains.

Example:

• Domain 1: 69% (fail domain) +
• Domain 2: 70% (pass domain) +
• Domain 3: 65% (fail domain) +
• Domain 4: 76% (pass domain)
• The sum of domains divided by 4 = average score of 70% (pass the exam)

AACE-PSP Exam Structure

• The exam is 5 hours maximum.
• The exam consists of 119 simple, multiple-choice, and compound, scenario questions.
  • 3 Domains: Basic Planning & Scheduling Knowledge (56 questions),
    Practical Exercise (29 questions), and Planning & Scheduling Applications (34 questions)
  • 1 Domain: Communication.
    Comprises of 1 memo writing assignment with a given scenario and instructions for writing a response in an onscreen text box
• Closed Book
• Any style, battery-operated calculator permitted (not provided by the testing center)

Am I qualified to take the AACE-PSP exam?

• 8 years industry related experience

OR

• 4 years industry related experience + 4-year industry related college degree
• Adherence to AACE’s Canons of Ethics

How much is AACE-PSP?

While AACE membership is not required for certification, members receive the benefit of reduced examination fees.

• 500 $ USD for members
• 625 $ USD for non-members
• 250 $ USD re-sit fee (member and non-members) if you failed to take your exam the first time.

All fees are due upon submission of an application and are non-refundable. The fee includes AACE’s eligibility documentation review and computer-based testing (CBT) fee.

Do I have to be a member to take an AACE certification exam?

No. You are not required to be an AACE member to sit for an AACE certification exam. However, there are many benefits to AACE membership such as discounted certification exam fees, discounted recertification fees, discounted study materials, free Recommended Practices downloads, free TCM Framework downloads, and much more.

Is AACE-PSP valuable?

The AACE PSP certification showcases your proficiency in project controls, making you a professional in industries where precise planning, scheduling, and cost management are important. AACE PSP holders often take on roles with a broader scope of responsibilities and contribute to the strategic decision-making process.

As we said before, the certificate alone is useless unless combined with real application in real-world projects.

How AACE PSP Can Affect My Career?

AACE PSP certification opens doors to a range of career opportunities. With expertise in project controls, you’ll be positioned to lead project teams, manage budgets, assess risks, and drive projects to successful completion. This certification can lead to career advancement and increased job satisfaction.

PMI-SP vs AACE PSP: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between PMI-SP and AACE PSP depends on your career goals and the specific skills you wish to develop. PMI-SP focuses primarily on project scheduling, while AACE PSP offers a more comprehensive approach to project controls. Consider your strengths, interests, and the demands of your industry when making your decision.

In conclusion, both PMI-SP and AACE PSP certifications provide valuable skills that can elevate your project management career. Whether you choose to specialize in scheduling with PMI-SP or embrace a broader range of project controls with AACE PSP, investing in certification demonstrates your commitment to excellence and can lead to exciting career opportunities.

Remember, your choice of certification should align with your career aspirations and the skills you want to enhance. Whichever path you choose, obtaining a project management certification is a step toward professional growth and success in the dynamic world of project management.

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