What are Veterans' thoughts on PMP and/or Black Belt Certifications? Is one or both make you more marketable in the civilian sector?

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Fri, 22 May 2015 11:57:46 -0400

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:42 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:42:56 -0400

I have looked into getting Lean Six Sigma training through State Farm (current employer). Finding time to get the training, however, appears to be another matter entirely. I think the concepts are ideal for both military & civilian leadership.

Response by CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling made May 22 at 2015 2:06 PM

CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:06:38 -0400

As a retiree and a PMP, I can say that if you like planning and executing projects, you will be extremely well suited as a PMP. The military teaches us to adapt to fluid changing situations, a great resource for a successful PM. If project management is not your purview, any certification credential will be helpful in quickly establishing your credibility in a sought after field.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 2:29 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:29:33 -0400

Yes both, I am PMP and SixSigma but use PMP more in my industry

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 22 at 2015 9:01 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:01:16 -0400

I run a PMO in my civilian job. A PMP is invaluable, and I am on a mission to make it an absolute requirement for a PM in my organization. Because of organizational/political factors, that is going to be a long & uphill fight where I am at.

Quite simply, it separates the "probably decent PMs" from "everybody who read an article online and decided 'how hard can that be?'". Especially with the squishiness of job titles in the current marketplace. With the PMP I know that 1) you have a certain minimal level of relevant education (or at least seat time....), 2) you have a certain minimal amount of relevant job experience (or at least filled out the application to make it look like you did....), 3) were able to take a relatively tough test for people who don't know a lot about project management, and 4) You invested some $$ (or convinced an employer to do it for you....).

There are PLENTY of good PMs that don't have the PMP cert (Several of my current PMs do not), but there are plenty that do. As a hiring manager it is a handy and better than chance rubric.

In my mind a PM should have a minimum of a PMP, a ScrumMaster certification (even if not doing Scrum), at least one other industry relevant cert, and relevant job experience.

Lean and Six Sigma aren't big drivers for me, but that's only because it isn't relevant to the environments that I have been running projects in. Were I more on the operational side, I would be all over them, especially Lean.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 23 at 2015 9:45 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 23 May 2015 09:45:27 -0400

I am a PMP and Army Certified Black Belt. Get the PMP first. It has the broadest application and is internationally recognized. PMP also has a national standard so employers know what to expect when they hire.

Black Belt training and certification vary widely among companies and schools. Look for a program that requires one or two projects and training for certification. There is no national standard for Lean, Six Sigma, or LSS certification.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 2:19 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 02:19:12 -0400

Plus one to the pmp certification glass I got mine early.

Response by MSgt Jeff S. made May 29 at 2015 12:22 PM

MSgt Jeff S. — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:22:56 -0400

I can't speak to the PMP side of things, but the Black Belt part has certainly served me well since I retired.
I had the good fortune to be involved in LEAN while I was still active duty, at a unit that "got it". We presented/competed at the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards, so the team was pretty damn good.
I have used that experience as a springboard to get into LEAN in Manufacturing and it's .... "lucrative". I have been fortunate enough to not take a loss in lifestyle since departing the service.
The main point that needs to be made is - YOU NEED TO HAVE WALKED THE WALK! Buzz words and surface knowledge may get you an interview, and maybe even the job .... but if you haven't led events, facilitated teams and managed significant change (as a LEAN practitioner) -- you will be found out and (probably) terminated.
Second point - research the job of "herding cats". In the civilian sector, there is no service discipline to fall back on - it is all change management 101. So, if you can't handle dealing with difficult people WITHOUT resorting to rank or UCMJ, think about developing that skill set before jumping in.