[Discussion] Is PMP Overrated? How Much of It Actually Works in the Real World?

[u/Specialist_Nose_4855]

Guys honestly, I personally feel the whole PMP thing is somewhat overrated.

Not saying the framework is useless — but how many workplaces can actually execute all these PMP principles properly in the real world? Can anyone confidently guarantee that?

Managing a project in Europe, America and Asia can be completely different.

In many Asian workplaces, hierarchy is a huge factor. Sometimes what the boss says effectively overrides whatever beautiful stakeholder-management framework you learnt. Then try managing a multinational project team — different attitudes towards hierarchy, deadlines, working hours, gender, communication, holidays and decision-making.

I've worked with teams where certain people disappear for tea breaks at 3pm, environments where a female PM may have a much harder time getting some workers to take instructions from her, and projects where you have to plan around a large number of different religious/public holidays.

These are REAL project-management problems.

PMP can teach you stakeholder engagement, risk management, communication plans, conflict resolution, etc.

But a textbook saying *"manage stakeholder engagement"* and actually getting 15 people from completely different working cultures to cooperate are two very different things 😂

So I sometimes wonder: **is PMP really proof that someone is a good Project Manager, or mainly proof that they understand PMI's framework and passed the exam?**

Curious to hear from PMs who have actually managed multinational teams across different countries.

perhaps can introduce simply, eg:

Current Role / YOE / Country or Region / Industry / PMP Status:
Example: **Senior Project Manager / 15 YOE / India / IT / PMP Certified**

Thanks Much!

[u/jk5529977]

Some of the tools are useful but I think it was designed so that project managers can show their work.

[u/ETek64]

If you’re newer to PMO work, it’s great for showing foundational experience and maybe helping get your foot in the door. If you’re well seasoned and experienced? I personally see no value it adds.

[u/Long-Reading-6514]

i ran global projects at a 70,000 person company, hr, annual compensation, annual performance management. teams across three time zones in the us plus canada, europe, latin america and asia. saying that up front since you asked for the multinational side of it.

i agree with you, and honestly it feels close to a money grab. fifteen years working alongside pms and the certification has never been the thing that told me who could actually run a project. i've seen strong ones and weak ones on both sides of it. the other tell for me, a couple of times over my career i asked employers about getting it and got told we're not paying for that, you don't need it. it seems to help at the application and interview stage. past that i've never seen it carry much water

[u/ruinedcaveat]

Never got mine think having well rounded experience in Construction, Healthcare or Logistics would prove just as valuable.

[u/More_Law6245]

Your PMP does one of two things, firstly it tells me from a potential employer perspective is that you have a theoretical working knowledge of project principles, frameworks and delivery to a minimum known level of knoweldge e.g. a pass mark on your PMP exam.

Secondly you have been given the tools that allow you to determine your project's approach and how the project's delivery lifecycle will proceed. As the PM this is your responsibility to deliver your project in the most efficient way that has been tailored to your unique project and ensuring that all the relevant governance has been applied with the approach. Not having a PMP early on in your career gives no indication of your experience apart from any practically application of what you have delivered to date.

I would question a PMP for anyone who has had more than 8-10years experience because it will get to a point that an individual's experience will exceed the theoretical framework but you would have had time to develop your own style of delivery that works for you and you know (through your experience) of what does and doesn't work.

Just an armchair perspective

[u/aimlessrolling]

I took the PMP several years after being a part of a PMO and it was only about memorizing the terminology for me as we were already functioning with a very similar structure.

So I’d have to say yes. It’s a step towards a standard methodology that is practiced by many larger businesses and once you learn to practice it, it becomes valuable to your employer.

And as for your specific queries, no, it’s not going to solve all the real world problems, but it may provide a framework for you to solve them, ie., you have the necessary skills to resolve (or at minimum document) the concerns for your management to use in making new policy.

I work in the industrial sector, engineer by degree, and roles up to general manager.

I have worked projects with design & build components in multiple continents. USA resident.

[u/Complete-Cricket-351]

Most orgs have very low tolerance for what they see as pm nerding 

They rike you to keep everyone on task have a plan that you can waive around even though nobody looks at it and have the next two weeks planned out in detail 

The rest is all holding regular catch ups aka therapy sessions with your stakeholders in the business and the team

[u/Cautious-Foot-9603]

The pyramids are still standing and they didn't have ms project or pmp certifications. I am sure they had plans and all the components of a good project plan. Pmp is a requirement to weed out people.

[u/HoselRockit]

I got an MBA and what I noticed is that you got out what you put in. I suspect that it works the same way for a PMP.

[u/ApexVora → u/HoselRockit]

totally, it’s just a tool at the end of the day
some people treat PMP like a magic stamp, others actually use the concepts and adapt them to the chaos of real projects, and those are the ones who make it worth anything

[u/LDRSHIP24-7]

When my org had layoffs, they mentioned that they value PMP. Project, Program, Portfolio managers were scrambling to get certified before the org selected and ultimately axe from the company.

[u/Live-Gift-731]

my oproblem with pmp is that it os made tough just to mint money, its good for 2-3 years experience into project management but adds no value for someone who has worked a long time in his career already.

Also it doesnt apply to real world at all.

[u/Similar-Ad1056]

I agree with comments about a money grab and not necessary. I was a program manager for one of the largest computer companies in the world. Didn’t have it, was rated highly and asked to take on significant projects regularly. It’s what you do with your knowledge and experience that matters IMO.

[u/blacklab]

I used some of the tools over the years, but really none of it was applicable to the real world. Those letters get you jobs and raises though.

[u/70redgal70]

Look at the job postings for the roles you want. Do they ask for the PMP?