I recently had a project manager ask me which of the PMI certifications he should pursue. That depends—it depends on your goals as a project manager. Certainly, the Project Management Professional (PMP)® and the Project Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)® certifications supercharged my project management career.
I became a Project Management Professional (PMP) in 2001. And in 2012, I became in PMI-RMP. There were several reasons I chose the PMI-RMP certification.
PMI-RMP Certification Benefits
- To improve my project success rate. What’s the project success rate for your organization? Thirty percent? Fifty percent? Project risk management gives you the ability to identify and assess risks, mitigate threats, and capitalize on opportunities. Hence, improve your success.
- To help my organization with risk management, top to bottom. I served as the Director of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) for a large insurance company. Our ERM policy and processes were largely developed based on what I had learned about risk management as a PMP and PMI-RMP. Risk management always involves identifying, evaluating, responding to risks, and monitoring risks. Furthermore, these processes may be applied at different levels of an organization—enterprise, departments or business units, portfolios, programs, and projects.
- To increase my career opportunities. If you’ve been in the project management job market lately, you have seen a high percentage of employers looking for certified project managers. Having an additional certification provides project managers with a wider range of opportunities—it’s like having a double major. Most noteworthy, employee compensation surveys report that certified project managers enjoy higher salaries compared to uncertified project managers.
- To help me grow professionally. Life gets stale when we’re not learning new things. I like to sharpen my saw physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually. Likewise, pursuing the PMI-RMP was a challenging and rewarding journey that helped me grow professionally.
- To boost my risk management knowledge and skills. Any time we invest in ourselves by focusing on our profession is time well spent. Consequently, we’re going to get better at what we do. Studying and applying risk management principles has helped me learn practical tips, tools, and techniques.
"Eighty-three percent of organizations that are high performers in project management practice risk management frequently while just 49 percent of low performers do so." —Pulse of Profession report
How to Jump-Start Your PMI-RMP Certification Process
So, how does one get started?
First, check out the Risk Management Professional Exam Content Outline (ECO). You must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements to be eligible for the certification.
Second, determine the resources that you plan to use. What books and courses will you use?
Third, develop a study plan. When will you study each week? Will you prepare alone or with a study group?
The PMI-RMP Exam
The certification exam has 115 multiple-choice questions. And you have 2.5 hours to complete it. You must earn 30 professional development units in risk management topics every three years to maintain your PMI-RMP.
PMI-RMP® Exam Prep Course
- Get certified in risk management and make your resume stand out
- Learn from an experienced professional who will help you pass the PMI-RMP exam on your first try
- Get access to helpful resources like final exams, quizzes, and more
- Get a comprehensive understanding of the risk management life cycle framework
- Learn to apply risk management in the real world
- Gain confidence and know that you're fully prepared for the PMI-RMP® exam
- Benefit from 18 hours of education that covers key concepts of risk management