Today’s slow economy, fast-paced technologies, and competitive market conditions are resulting in many complex projects that are more challenging to deliver successfully. For organizations to stay competitive, the challenge is to properly equip their project managers with the right knowledge, skills, and tools to handle such projects.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) continues to guide the profession with its global standards, academic research, credentials, and other development services. In a study involving two online job sites, more than 23 percent of project manager job advertisements require the PMI’s Project Management Professional credential specifically. Skillsoft, a leading cloud-based provider of learning solutions, offers a proven approach that will prepare professionals for three of the PMI’s globally recognized Project Management certifications.
The Company
Skillsoft started as a Dublin-based e-learning software company that was incorporated in 1989. Since then, it has grown to be a learning solutions provider through expansion and acquisition of several companies. Acquired by SSI Investments in 2010, it now has offices in Dublin, Ireland, in Nashua, New Hampshire, and in Camberley, England. It is also a PMI Charter Global Registered Education Provider. This means that it has been recognized as a legitimate provider of PM e-learning and virtual instructor-led courses that can help PMI members advance their professional development.
The Skillsoft Solution
Skillsoft offers a Project Management Certification Courseware for PMI certifications for the Project Manager Professional (PMP), the Certified Associate for Project Management (CAPM), and the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
PMP Credential
The PMP certification objectively assesses and measures experience, education, and professional knowledge. Professionals who have achieved this credential can competently manage projects, lead project teams, and direct the completion of project tasks. Skillsoft’s PMP-PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition-Aligned Program, for example, contains a total of 30 courses, such as Managing Projects Within Organizations, PM Overview, and PM Process Groups. Each course has a description, a target audience, an expected duration (in hours), lesson objectives, and a course number.
For instance, the course Managing Projects Within Organizations, number proj_19_a01_be_enus, is described as providing an overview of PM disciplines as outlined in the PMBOK Guide. This course is for existing project managers pursuing certification. It has a total duration of 2 hours with lesson objectives that will help project managers to recognize examples of a project, identify its characteristics, and distinguish between three types of PM competencies, among others. The PMP Program also includes one Mentoring Asset, one Test Prep, and eleven books.
CAPM Credential
The CAPM credential is for aspiring project managers, specialized project team members, and for graduate and undergraduate PM students. Specific education requirements, a certain amount of experience, agreement to adhere to a code of professional conduct, and passing a multiple-choice type exam are required to be eligible for this certification. The CAPM PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition-Aligned Program also has 30 courses, one Mentoring Asset, and eleven books.
PMI-ACP Credential
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner credential is for practitioners of agile methodologies in managing their projects. This will benefit individuals who have experience working on agile projects. Those who have obtained it can demonstrate a level of professionalism in agile practices and versatility in both Waterfall and agile techniques. The Program contains eleven courses such as Agile PM Essentials, Adopting an Agile Approach to PM, An Overview of Agile Methodologies, etc. The Program also includes eleven book resources.
Other Tools and Resources
The Skillsoft Project Management Certification Solution is not limited to its courseware. Aside from PMBOK Guide-aligned courses, it also offers thousands of online books on-demand with its Books24x7. It also offers the Live Learning which allows world-class experts to teach virtually through the computer. There is also the PM Knowledge Center Portal, a one-stop portal that gives customers access to volumes of information through articles, courses, and online books. These resources are chosen by experts to speed up learning regardless of what the customer’s skill level is. It is a central interface where project managers can develop their skills continuously and receive support while they perform their job.
Why Pursue a Project Management Certification
There are many benefits for individuals to pursue a PM certification. This includes being recognized to have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, which serves as an unbiased endorsement of expertise and professional experience. It reflects achievement, and can lead to greater earnings. It can be said that when businesses and companies employ such professionals and can be represented by them in front of clients, the same recognition and opportunities are afforded these organizations. These benefits can be enjoyed with the help of Skillsoft, who has provided effective content, exceptional service, and unparalleled experience to its more than 6000 customers worldwide.
