PMP vs Six Sigma: Battle of Management Giants

Importance of Choosing the Right Certification 

Certification courses are short modules that help you upskill yourself and discover new things regardless of age, occupation, or desired career path. Here is a detailed overview that looks into the benefits of choosing the right certification course. 

• Choosing the right certificate course gives you a lot of advantages over your competitors. An initiative to learn new things and a willingness to undertake new challenges can let you be in the lead of your peers.
• Having a certified course in your portfolio can increase your chances for a raise or promotion. Keeping your skills up to date with current trends can enhance your appraisal chances.

Overview of PMP Certification 

PMP, or Project Management Professional Certification, is a widely recognized certification for managing all the aspects of a particular project. It examines the management skills of an individual regarding people, processes, and timelines associated with a particular project. This certification is applicable to virtually any field, like construction, health, IT, and business. Having this type of certification is not mandatory for most professions and positions, but it strengthens your resume. This certification acts as a standard of project management extending over not only all major companies but also locations and positions. It includes trending topics covering brand-new technologies and practices and tests your strategic competency as a project manager.

Eligibility Criteria and Prerequisites Required for PMP

PMP training requires you to have some prior work experience in the field of project management. It is also required for you to complete a set of a certain number of Professional Development Units and make sure that all your prior work experience is in the last eight years since you put down your application. Other than that, it has more requirements in two different criteria to apply for the course listed below. The candidate must have either of the two sets of criteria to apply for this course.

Examination Process and Certification Levels in PMP

Since passing the PMP exam is a requirement for obtaining this professional certification, it is critical that the test fairly represents project managers' methods and their in-depth knowledge. This examination measures the critical thinking and strategic planning in real-time required in the profession of project management and the positions of project lead.

This exam covers the domains listed below:

• People management: 42%
• Process management: 50%
• Business environment dealing: 8%

The procedure for applying for this exam is as follows:

• As an applicant, you would need to meet either of the sets of the PMP certification criteria.
• Apply online through the PMI portal by signing up first. Then, it requires you to fill in all your personal details, examination qualifications, and prior project details. Once the data is verified, you will have to pay the application fee and select your exam slot.
• Till the exam date approaches, you need to gear up and start preparing for it. Leading platforms like Simplilearn can guide you through preparing adequately.
• You can take the exam online, which takes around four hours to complete.
• Once you get the certificate, you have to maintain it by spending 60 hours developing your portfolio, as the certificate expires in 3 years.  

Career Opportunities in PMP

Having a PMP certificate allows you to venture into the world of project management and take up various roles:

Overview of Six Sigma Certification Levels

Six Sigma Certification is an accreditation to validate an individual’s in-depth knowledge of Six Sigma. The understanding of the methodology, principles, and tools of Six Sigma are authenticated through this certification course. Organizations opt for this data-driven outlook to increase efficiency, reduce cost, mitigate risks, and amplify the overall quality of work. 

Requirements and Prerequisites Required for Six Sigma

Various levels of Six Sigma methodology, such as White Belt, Yellow Belt, Black Belt, and Green Belt, measure your proficiency and expertise and help judge your ability to work under pressure. Each level has its requirements for eligibility:

• Green Belt requirements: It requires you to have at least three months of full-time employment in an industry that matches the body of knowledge of Green Belt. In this case, internships and part-time positions are not encouraged.
• Black Belt requirements: It requires you to lead at least two projects with signed documents aligning with the methodology of Six Sigma Black Belt. The other option is to work on one project but have three years of working experience.
• Master Black Belt Requirements: You must have Black Belt certification with five years of experience or at least ten Sigma Black Belt projects. 

Examination Process and Certification Levels in Six Sigma

Renowned institutes such as IASSC and ASQ conduct this exam to examine candidates' detailed knowledge. The paper pattern for this exam is objective type, and the exam structure for the different levels of Six Sigma certification is as follows:

Career Opportunities in Six Sigma

Six Sigma professionals are trained in statistical tools and Six Sigma tools to increase the efficiency of the workforce by regulating the margin of error. A wide door of possibility in fields opens up for you, ranging from

• Operations: Team Leader, Manager
• Quality Manager, Quality Compliance Analyst, Technical Head
• Director: Process improvement, VP in Business Excellence
• Payroll Specialist, Supply Chain Specialist, and many more.

Similarities Between PMP Certification and Six Sigma 

There are quite a few similarities between the two certifications, such as:

• Both certifications majorly focus on project management approaches. This ensures that both certifications are perfect for project managers to assess their competency in various project management processes. 
• Both certifications require certain levels of skillset to appear for their exams. Thus ensuring that you develop a substantial skill set for leading teams.
• Both certifications are recognized globally and across all industries. More career prospects in various work arise for you from this international recognition.

Major Differences Between Six Sigma Certification and PMP

Although both certifications have advantages, there are a few major points under Six Sigma vs PMP certifications:

PMP vs Six Sigma: Which Certification is Better?

It can be quite puzzling to choose the best one for your career. Both the certifications have their pros and cons. Still, the call of choosing the perfect one depends on the following:

• Start wondering which certification will help you reach your career goal and align with your career trajectory.
• Evaluate the skill set that your dream position requires from you and opt for a similar one.
• PMP certification can help you walk through many industries, whereas Six Sigma is specifically curated for manufacturing and production management.

Looking to renew your PMP certification & earn 60+ PDUs? Enroll in our PMP® Plus Master’s Program today!

Conclusion

In deciding between PMP certification and Lean Six Sigma, the choice ultimately hinges on your career goals, industry, and the specific skill sets you aim to enhance. PMP® Plus certification, offered through Simplilearn, is an excellent choice for those looking to solidify their project management skills, focusing on improving their ability to manage, lead, and deliver projects within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources.

On the other hand, Simplilearn's Lean Six Sigma Expert program caters to professionals eager to master quality management and operational efficiency. It combines lean methodologies and Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, improve performance, and drive process quality.

FAQs

1. Can PMP and Six Sigma be used together in project management?

PMP and Six Sigma are mostly used together in major companies for better and more efficient management.

2. Is Six Sigma better than PMP?

Six Sigma has a structured approach to solving complex problems, whereas PMP has a generic approach to the management of projects.

3. What is the Six Sigma Green Belt salary?

In India, the average salary of Six Sigma Green Belt is ₹7,20,000 per annum, along with annual compensation of ₹1,20,000.

4. Is PMP still in demand?

PMP-certified professionals are still very popular among organizations for their experience in handling projects. 

5. Can I pursue both PMP and Six Sigma certifications simultaneously?

It is highly recommended that you pursue dual certifications for greater advantage in your career. 

6. Is PMP very tough?

The PMP is tough as the passing scores are not disclosed, but with the help of tutors like Simplilearn, you can easily crack it.

7. How long does it take to get certified in PMP or Six Sigma?

PMP requires 35 hours of training, with no particular deadline for Six Sigma.

8. Are there any prerequisites for the PMP or Six Sigma certifications?

PMP requires you to meet the criteria in PMBOK, and Six Sigma requires you to acquire 3+ years of work experience in a relevant field.