ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ICT PROJECT MANAGERS SHOW DIVERSITY BETWEEN SWEDISH EMPLOYERS’ AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS’ VIEWS OF PM CERTIFICATIONS

Appointing ICT project managers is a delicate issue for management; not least since ICT projects are known to be unsuccessful in delivering the required product in time and on budget. Hence, it is even more important to find the “right” individual for the job. According to project management associations, certification in project management is a prerequisite for a project manager's successful career. The appreciation of project management certifications among Swedish employers was studied using data collected from job advertisements for ICT project managers during four years (2010-2013). Judged on how the advertisements were worded the result indicates surprisingly low interest from the employers' side, which conflicts with the project management associations statements about the certifications' indispensable value for successful projects. Furthermore, it conflicts with a common understanding of certifications as essential for appointment as a project manager. The findings identify a possible gap between PM associations' and employers' views regarding the certifications' value, and highlight the necessity of seriously considering whether it is worthwhile for the individuals to strive for, and for the organizations to promote certification, since it is costly in both time, effort and money.