Industry Backs CompTIA IT Project+ Certification

During a recent meeting in Chicago, committee members evaluated all aspects of this project management certification, including exam content, training resources, courseware, marketing, and on-going development. IT Project+ certifies that an individual has the business knowledge and interpersonal and technical skills of a professional with 12-months experience in leading, managing, and directing projects.

"There is a strong need for training and certifying professionals in foundation-level project management skills," said Fran Linhart, director of certifications, CompTIA. "Last year we purchased IT Project+ from the Gartner Group as a first step in meeting that need. The formation of the Cornerstone Committee is the important second step, bringing together organizations with expertise in this field and demonstrating the new certification's broad-based industry backing."

The new IT Project+ Cornerstone Committee includes representatives from: Center for Project Management, Comark, CompuCom, Dimension Data Learning Solutions, Element K, IreeTec, Novell, NTT Data (Japan), PM Partners (Australia), and TCI College of Technology.

George Astling, Manager of the Project Management Practice at Comark, Inc., explained, "There is a large gap in Project Management between training and certification opportunities (foundation as well as senior level). The IT industry and individual businesses have not been able to agree upon a group of broadly-recognized basic skill sets for the many IT Engineers who are placed in project management roles to fulfill company objectives. We have a need to establish quality, baseline methodologies, to provide individuals with the tools needed for success. CompTIA's leadership in vendor-neutral certification makes it an ideal organization to assist in resolving these issues."

Raj Kapur, vice president, Center for Project Management, indicated that IT and businesses overall require a new set of project management skills. "Traditional project management grew out of bricks and mortar constructions projects," Kapur said. "Today's IT and general business projects help to unify departments and integrate the flow of information. These projects require new strategies and interpersonal skills effective for today's workforce. IT Project+ definitely fills a current void."

CompTIA is looking for subject-matter experts to participate in IT Project+ certification workshops. Each subject-matter expert will offer expertise in one or more of the certification's maintenance stages, including virtual exam item writing and item review. An ideal subject-matter expert has three to five years experience in IT project management and is actively involved in the entire scope of projects. Those interested in applying should visit: http://www.comptia.org/certification/itprojectplus/index.htm.

Leading IT publishers are supporting IT Project+ with CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC) materials, including ElementK Press, NETg, Osborne McGraw Hill, and Sybex. Specialized project management publishers and authors are represented as well, with CAQC materials including those from the Center for Project Management and The Hampton Group.

About IT Project+
IT Project+ certification is a new standard of competency and professionalism in project management. The IT Project+ certification, a vendor-neutral credential recognized throughout the world, validates the knowledge required to effectively plan, implement, and complete projects across the organization. Those holding the certification demonstrate critical knowledge of business practices, interpersonal skills, and project-management processes.