PgMP Without PMP: Who Should Consider This Path?

The journey towards certification in the project management world often starts with the PMP® (Project Management Professional), recognized globally as a foundational qualification. However, for seasoned professionals with over 15 years of experience in project and program management, the path forward may look different. One question I frequently encounter is: Can I skip the PMP and go directly for the PgMP® (Program Management Professional) certification?

At first glance, the PMP seems like the logical first step, providing a foundation in project management practices and terminology. But for certain professionals, jumping straight to the PgMP may not only save time and resources but also provide a sharper focus on program management competencies. In this article, we’ll explore five situations where skipping the PMP and going directly for the PgMP is a strategic choice.

1. PgMP as a Differentiator, Not Just a CV Keyword

Let’s begin with the basic premise that PMP is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the field of project management. It’s often listed as a key requirement in job descriptions and serves as a keyword that helps get your CV noticed by recruiters.

However, if you’re already well-established in your field and not looking for a certification to help with CV selection, the PgMP can serve as a powerful differentiator. For professionals with 15+ years of experience, you’re not necessarily trying to pass the CV filter but instead, demonstrate advanced competencies in both project and program management.

🔑 What does this mean for you? If you’re already recognized in your field and want to showcase your commitment to mastering program management, then PgMP is the certification that will set you apart during interviews and performance evaluations. It demonstrates not only experience but also a dedication to honing your skills at the program level, which goes beyond the operational nature of project management.

2. Time, Money, and the Need to Focus on Competency

Let’s talk about the practical aspects of certification: time and financial investment. While the PMP is invaluable for professionals starting their journey in project management, seasoned professionals may not need the foundational knowledge it provides. If your focus is squarely on program management, going straight for PgMP makes sense.

💼 Consider this: PMP preparation can be time-consuming, typically involving months of study. While it lays a solid foundation, if you are focused purely on program management, you might find that you don’t need to revisit those basics. PgMP preparation, although more expensive, typically requires about 40% less time than PMP preparation for experienced professionals.

Thus, if you’re someone whose experience already speaks for itself in the project management domain and you want to demonstrate advanced program management competencies, skipping the PMP and going straight for PgMP can save you both time and money.

3. Established Program Managers Focused on Building Expertise

If you’ve already established yourself as a program manager and feel confident in your project management skills, then it may not make sense to revisit those areas through the PMP. Instead, the PgMP can help you further solidify your expertise in program leadership and strategy.

🔍 Who is this path for? Professionals who have successfully managed projects and are now focusing on program management as their core responsibility should consider skipping the PMP. For such individuals, pursuing the PgMP allows them to demonstrate their capability in managing large, complex programs without needing to revisit the foundational principles of project management.

By going directly for PgMP, you’re not only honing your skills but also aligning your career trajectory with a focus on program leadership rather than revisiting skills you’ve already mastered in the field.

4. You’re Managing Programs in Predictive Life Cycles or Large Government Programs

With the recent changes in the PMP exam, around 50% of the content is focused on Agile and hybrid project management approaches. For professionals managing programs that primarily operate in predictive environments—such as government programs, infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects—this focus on Agile may not be relevant to your day-to-day responsibilities.

📊 Does this sound familiar? If you’re managing large programs where predictive or hybrid methods are the norm, and you don’t foresee a need for Agile methodologies in the future, the PMP may not add much value. Instead, pursuing PgMP allows you to concentrate on the competencies that matter most to you, like governance, program alignment, and benefits realization.

The PgMP focuses on managing programs at a strategic level, where the emphasis is more on aligning programs with organizational goals, managing interdependencies, and ensuring the realization of long-term benefits. For professionals in environments where Agile methodologies are less relevant, PgMP becomes the natural choice.

5. You’re Managing Agile Programs with Teams of Teams

On the flip side, if your experience is deeply rooted in managing Agile programs, particularly with a team-of-teams approach, the PMP’s detailed focus on predictive life cycles might not resonate with your current role.

🚀 Why does this matter? Professionals managing Agile programs, especially in environments like software development or digital transformation, may find the PMP’s focus on predictive project management less useful. If you’re primarily focused on Agile methodologies and already have a deep understanding of how to manage projects in that environment, spending time on PMP’s predictive focus might not be the best use of your resources.

PgMP allows you to build on your existing Agile expertise while demonstrating competency in higher-level program management concepts, such as strategic alignment, governance, and the integration of multiple Agile teams to achieve overarching program objectives.

These five scenarios clearly demonstrate when it makes sense to skip the PMP and pursue the PgMP directly. Each situation shows how experienced professionals can strategically position themselves for success at the program level, focusing on competencies that matter the most for their career trajectory.

Is PgMP the Right Move for You?

So, is skipping the PMP and going straight for PgMP the right move for you? It comes down to your career trajectory, your experience, and where you want to focus your time and resources.

If you’re someone with 15+ years of experience who is already recognized in the field and looking to establish yourself as a top-tier program manager, then skipping the PMP could be the right decision. You’re focused on demonstrating competencies at the program level, where you’re managing large-scale initiatives, aligning them with strategic objectives, and driving long-term business value.

Conversely, if you’re in a role where Agile approach dominate your day-to-day activities, PgMP can help you maintain credibility without the need to revisit predictive project management concepts.

Why Enroll in Our PgMP Program?

We understand the unique needs of professionals at this level, which is why we offer tailored PgMP preparation programs that cater specifically to experienced professionals. Whether you opt for our self-paced learning or live virtual classes, we cover the necessary project management principles you need for the PgMP exam—without overloading you with unnecessary PMP content.

💡 What sets us apart?

• Time-efficient preparation: We’ve designed our program to minimize your study time while ensuring you’re fully prepared to pass the PgMP exam.
• Focused learning: We focus on the competencies that matter most for program managers, such as strategic alignment, governance, benefits realization, and program integration.
• Experienced instructors: Our instructors have years of experience in program management and can provide real-world examples and insights to enrich your learning experience.

In short, we’re here to help you pass the PgMP and take your career to the next level. Not doing PMP will not be a hurdle to your PgMP success—our program is designed to ensure you’re ready from both a content and exam perspective.

Conclusion: PgMP as Your Next Career Step

To summarize, if you’re an experienced professional already recognized in your field, skipping PMP and going straight for PgMP could be a strategic decision that saves you time, money, and effort. It’s all about where you are in your career and what you’re looking to demonstrate.

If you have any questions or want to discuss further how our program can help you achieve your PgMP, feel free to reach out. We’d love to help you navigate your path to program management excellence.