Exploring Global Project Management Certifications

Navigating the world of project management certifications can be overwhelming. With multiple globally recognised options available, professionals often struggle to determine which certification aligns best with their career goals, industry, and geographic location.

With Millpond servicing the Australasian market, and many of us being practicing project professionals as well as trainers, this guide breaks down the key offerings from PMI, PeopleCert, APMG, and AIPM – in the hope to help you make an informed decision.

If you are after a quick and easy summary, then here you go….beyond this we have a lot more detail further below.

Certification Body	Global Recognition	Primary Focus	Ideal For	Popular Certifications	Delivery Approach
PMI (Project Management Institute)	Global	Broad project management across industries	All project professionals	PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, PMI-CP, PMI-RMP	Predictive, Agile, Hybrid
PeopleCert (PRINCE2)	Strong in UK, Europe, Commonwealth countries	Structured methodology, IT service management	Professionals in government, IT, telecom	PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner, PRINCE2 Agile,	Predictive, Agile
APMG International	Global	Agile delivery, change, PMO	Practitioners in agile or transformation environments	AgilePM Foundation & Practitioner, Change Management	Agile, Hybrid
AIPM (Australian Institute of Project Management)	Australia-centric	Local standards and practices	Professionals working in Australia	CPPP, CPPM, CPSPM, CPPD, CPPE,	Predictive

If you are keen to take a look at Millpond’s certification offerings, please explore our Course Catalogue.
If there is something specific you are looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss.

---

The Organisations behind the Certifications

Four major organisations offer recognised certifications that cater to various industries and needs for project professionals:

Project Management Institute (PMI) Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA, PMI is a leading global association for project management professionals. With approximately 750,000 members in over 200 countries, PMI promotes project management excellence through standards, certification, research, education, and networking opportunities. PMI is renowned for its Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and its publication, “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). PMI’s NEXT strategy is very current and future focused – leading they way with Generative AI adoption in project practices, Sustainability standards, PMO operations, Social Impact, Mega-Projects and more. PMI has active Chapters across Australia and New Zealand, where volunteers offer a local community of events, networking, and professional development opportunities on a regular basis, both in-person and online. Check out your nearest chapter.

PeopleCert Established in 2000 and headquartered in London, PeopleCert is a global leader in the assessment and certification of professional skills. They partner with multinational organisations and government bodies to develop and deliver market-leading exams and certifications. PeopleCert offers a wide range of certifications in IT & Digital Transformation, Project Management, Business, and Languages. Notable certifications include Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), PRINCE2 (Projects in controlled environments), and DevOps. PeopleCert’s current strategy is more focused towards creating standards and certifications that improve organisational efficiency. PeopleCert does not offer a local community or presence for practitioners beyond their certification offerings. There are however online webinars available for members.

APMG International Founded in 1993 and headquartered in High Wycombe, UK, APMG International is a globally recognised accreditation and certification body specialising in professional training and development. APMG partners with expert organisations to develop certifications that support best practices in project management, change, risk, and agile delivery. APMG’s current focus is on agility and change enablement, making its certifications particularly valuable for professionals working in hybrid environments, transformation programs, and public sector projects. APMG does not operate local chapters.

Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) Founded in 1978, AIPM is Australia’s premier association for project management professionals. Headquartered in Sydney, AIPM aims to advance the practice and profession of project management in Australia through education, certification, and community engagement. AIPM offers various membership, training, and certification programs, including the Registered Project Manager (RegPM) certification. AIPM is working to advance the practice and profession of project management in Australia, and is currently contributing to the ACT Government’s Project Management Framework. At the time of writing this, there are Chapters operating a small number of events in NSW, VIC, and WA, and there is a national conference.

---

Choosing the Right Project Management Certification

Selecting the best project management certification(s) depends on your career goals and industry requirements. For example;

• For public sector roles, IF your organisation operates using the PRINCE2 methodology, then a PRINCE2 certification may be advantageous. If you are not working in a PRINCE2 environment, then learning the PRINCE2 methodology will have limited value.
• If you are wanting to understand a framework for Global Best Practice, a methodology agnostic certification that covers both Predictive and Agile approaches to delivery, such as a PMI certification, would be ideal.
• If you were wanting to specialise in a particular niche section of Projects, then perhaps a targeted Agile, Construction, or Change Management certification is best for you.

Here’s a brief overview of the strengths of each certification:

PMI Certifications:

Highly versatile and recognised globally across various industries, including IT, construction, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. PMI have the largest spread of certifications for project professionals and also boast the largest following globally (over 1.7 million certification holders).

Core Certifications

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): Entry-level certification ideal for those starting a career in project management. Provides foundational knowledge of PMBOK® Guide principles.
• Project Management Professional (PMP): The gold standard for experienced project managers. Recognised globally across industries. Validates leadership, technical, and strategic skills.
• Program Management Professional (PgMP): Designed for professionals managing multiple, complex projects aligned with organisational strategy.
• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP): Focuses on aligning projects and programs with strategic objectives. Ideal for senior leaders overseeing portfolios.

Specialised Certifications

• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): Validates expertise in agile practices across multiple frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.).
• PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP): Tailored for construction project managers. Covers contract management, sustainability, and leadership in construction.
• PMI Senior Construction Professional (PMI-SCP): Advanced certification for experienced construction professionals. Builds on PMI-CP with deeper skill development through additional coursework.
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP): Focuses on identifying and managing project risks. Ideal for roles in high-stakes or complex environments.
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP): Specialises in project scheduling, planning, and control. Valuable for roles in construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA): Bridges the gap between project management and business analysis. Ideal for professionals involved in requirements gathering and stakeholder engagement.
• PMO Certified Practitioner (PMO-CP): Focuses on PMO leadership and governance. Suitable for professionals managing project offices.
• Cognitive Project Management for AI (CPMAI): Tailored for managing AI and data-centric projects. Combines project management with emerging tech strategies

PRINCE2 Certifications:

Widely recognised in the UK and Europe. PRINCE2 is widely used in government and public sector projects including in Australia. It follows a structured project management methodology, making it suitable for predictive project environments.

• PRINCE2® Foundation: Introduces the PRINCE2 methodology, principles, and processes. Ideal for beginners or those working in project environments.
• PRINCE2® Practitioner: Teaches how to apply and tailor PRINCE2 in real-world projects. Suitable for practicing project managers. Requires Foundation certification.
• PRINCE2® Agile Foundation: Combines PRINCE2 structure with agile delivery techniques. Great for hybrid project environments.
• PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner: Advanced certification for applying agile concepts within PRINCE2. Ideal for experienced project managers in dynamic settings.
• Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®): Focuses on managing transformational change through coordinated projects. Ideal for programme managers and senior leaders.
• Management of Portfolios (MoP®): Helps align projects and programmes with strategic objectives. Suitable for portfolio managers and executives.
• Management of Risk (M_o_R®): Provides a framework for risk management across projects, programmes, and portfolios. Valuable for risk specialists and decision-makers.

APMG Certifications:

These certifications have a stronger emphasis on agility and stakeholder alignment,  valuable for professionals working in hybrid project environments, organisational transformation, and public sector initiatives.

• AgilePM® Foundation: Introduces the DSDM-based AgilePM framework. Ideal for those new to agile project environments. Covers principles, lifecycle, roles, and governance.
• AgilePM® Practitioner: Builds on the Foundation level to apply AgilePM principles in real-world projects. Suitable for practicing project managers in agile or hybrid settings.
• Change Management: Helps project professionals manage organisational change effectively. Valuable for projects involving transformation or stakeholder impact.

AIPM Certifications:

Regarded in Australia and applicable across various sectors, including construction, engineering, and IT. AIPM focuses on local standards and practices, making it a valuable certification for professionals working in Australia, but not well recognised beyond these shores.

• Certified Practising Project Practitioner (CPPP): Entry-level certification for those starting in project management. Demonstrates basic competence in project delivery.
• Certified Practising Project Manager (CPPM): Recognises professionals managing projects with moderate complexity. Focuses on planning, execution, and stakeholder engagement.
• Certified Practising Senior Project Manager (CPSPM): For experienced managers handling complex projects. Emphasizes leadership, governance, and strategic alignment.
• Certified Practising Project Director (CPPD): Designed for professionals overseeing multiple projects or programs. Validates strategic leadership and organisational impact.
• Certified Practising Portfolio Executive (CPPE): Highest level in the RegPM framework. Suitable for executives managing portfolios and aligning them with business strategy.

---

Approaches to Certifications do vary

• PMI / APMG / PeopleCert = Exam-based
  These organisations assess candidates through structured exams based on standardised frameworks or methodologies. To prepare, professionals typically attend formal training courses designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the exam.
• AIPM = Competency-based
  AIPM certifications are awarded based on demonstrated real-world experience. Assessment involves submitting workplace evidence and participating in interviews. There are no exams, study requirements, or formal training courses – making it a practical, experience-driven pathway for Australian professionals.

Exam-based certifications provide assurance of structure learning, retained knowledge, and standardised assessments – meaning when someone says they have passed their exam and have achieved their certification, you the standard that has been achieved. Competecny-based certifications have the benefit of assessing real-world application and on-the-job learning, but with no formal training required.

Neither approach is right or wrong – they’re simply different. Exam-based models from PMI, APMG, and PeopleCert emphasise structured learning and standardised assessment, while Competency-based certifications like AIPM’s focus on practical experience. In fact, holding certifications from both camps can be a complementary strategy, showcasing both your mastery of globally recognised frameworks and your hands-on expertise.

---

A Common Misconception: You Have to Choose Just One

Some people believe that project management certifications compete for the same space on your resume – and that you must choose just one. That isn’t the case!

Each certification offers unique strengths and can complement one another depending on your career path, industry, and geographic focus. For example:

• You might hold a PMP for global recognition and then choose to achieve PRINCE2 Practitioner for structured methodology in government projects.
• If you’re working in Australia, you may have an AIPM certification to demonstrate your alignment with local standards and practices but then seek a PMI-CP certification to showcase your competence in navigating global construction challenges.
• You could always look to start with a broad foundation certification such as CAPM or CPPP, and then choose a specialised certification following this depending on what you enjoy doing.

Rather than competing, these certifications can enhance your credibility and show your versatility as a project professional. So don’t stop at your first achievement.