What do project managers with many years of having worked on varied projects do when they have very little to prove, or when they feel they are plateauing and need a fresh challenge? They take up the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification. This certification helps them scale levels higher than what they already have. Let us get into a few elements of the Certified Project Director (CPD) certification in this article.
Who needs to take up the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification?
The Certified Project Director (CPD) certification being one for very senior project managers, is designed for the project management professional who wants to look for something beyond regular certifications. Certified by the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), it is for those who look for acquiring higher skills and techniques with which to manage projects of very high complexity or size.
The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification is a globally recognized certification for senior project managers. As can be expected, it arms senior project managers with the expertise needed to handle cross-functional domains such as the technical, operational, financial, planning, implementation, and quality aspects of complex projects.
The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification equips managers with the ability to handle all these aspects of project management so that the project gets completed without cost overruns and on time, meeting the requisite quality standards.
How to prepare for the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification?
GAQM itself organizes training schedules for this Certification. It is ideal for those preparing for the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification since this module is from the certifying body itself. The GAQM prepares managers for this certification with a syllabus that consists of the following modules:
Module 1:
Introduction
Module 2:
Aligning Goals, Projects, and Competencies
Module 3:
Organizing Multi-Project Communications
Module 4:
Managing Risk Communications
Module 5:
Tools for Managing Multiple Projects
Module 6:
Leadership
More about the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification exam
The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification exam has the following characteristics:
Duration: 80 minutes
Pattern: 100 Multiple Choice Question
Pass criterion: 80 percent
Mode: Online, proctored
Closed book
A number of attempts: The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification exam can be taken up any number of times. Between each time, there should be a gap of two weeks
Validity: The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification is valid for five years. After this period, the candidate can renew the certificate by either retaking the exam or by completing the e-course to accumulate the credits needed to renew it.
Prerequisites: The prerequisites for the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification exam are pretty steep. These are the ones:
A bachelor’s or master’s or equivalent in any stream from any globally recognized institute, plus:
Any one of the following certifications or credentials:
- Professional in Project Management (PPM)™ from Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)® from Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Prince2® Practitioner from APMG
- Certified Project Manager (CPM) from Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification pays prospects
As can be expected of a highly experienced project management certification, the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification offers a handsome pay package. Since a Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification typically brings both expertise and experience, she can be expected to earn in the range of $185,000.
Closing thoughts
The Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification is not a pedestrian certification. It is meant only for very experienced managers, and thus, its course level and difficulty are proportionate to this seniority. However, those looking for some extra excitement in the closing stages of their career can look to the Certified Project Director (CPD) Certification to help them serve this goal.
