In many organizations, especially start-ups and small firms, the task of project management is often assigned to somebody internal as a “side duty” to their existing role. Frequently this person lacks the training, experience, and focus needed to properly carry the project to completion. Communication breaks down, project goals are misstated, and time, money, and resources are stretched thin as your project balloons beyond control. Ultimately the project flops and nobody is certain as to why or how to prevent it from happening again.

Last year I decided to pursue my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and join the ranks of nearly one million other certified project managers worldwide. I’ve been managing projects for most of my career, but only recently have I come to realize what it takes to fully and properly manage a project to successful completion.

As I studied for my exam, I thought about my past projects and how much they would’ve benefited from the formal processes and frameworks taught to PMPs. I thought of all the effort that had been wasted because our projects hadn’t been well structured or set up for success from the beginning. Most importantly, I realized the value of having a dedicated, experienced, and formally trained PMP leading your projects.

Here are some of the advantages of enlisting a PMP-certified project manager to oversee your next project:

Project Management Professionals can spot a project early and plan accordingly.

How many times has your organization started a small “task” that quickly grows, and grows, until it’s become too unmanageable to complete? This is known as “scope creep” and often occurs when an organization jumps too quickly into projects they think to be simple tasks.

PMPs are taught to recognize projects early and plan for them accordingly. Through…Read More