Pmp® vs Six Sigma: Which One Should I Choose?

Earning certifications as a project manager is a wise move that can open up multiple opportunities for progressing in your career. That's in consideration that there are already thousands of people obtaining their degrees from reputable colleges, each one of them fighting for the top positions.

Professional certifications are, therefore, what you need to stand out from the crowd and beat the competition. However, there are multiple certifications to choose from, each offering a different set of benefits. The two most common and arguably most important are the Project Management Professional (PMP)® and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certification. But which one's better?

Understanding the PMP® and LSS Certifications Better

Even though reputable professional education providers offer Project Management Certification packages that include both the Six Sigma and Project Management Professional certifications, it's important to understand that the two are distinct. Here's what you should know about that:

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certification

The Six Sigma certification is an accreditation that proves you have in-depth knowledge of the Six Sigma approach to project management. Therein lies the main difference between these certifications. Six Sigma focuses specifically on the Six Sigma methodology for managing manufacturing processes, whereas PMP is a broad credential for project managers in different industries.

The professionals who use Six Sigma at work pay great attention to special aspects or operations of the project to reduce production errors, variations, and defects in manufacturing. That way, the company they are working for can improve the quality of products they offer and also increase successful outcomes.

In Six Sigma, you will need to master different cycles. The most common is DMAIC, which includes the following stages: Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control. The other is DMADV, and this one has five phases: Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, and Verify. DMAIC is meant to improve the existing processes within a manufacturing business, whereas DMADV helps with designing new processes. DMADV can be used alongside another cycle called DFSS, and both are practical for situations where processes don't exist or you need to replace the existing processes.

PMP® Certification

The PMP® certification is meant to help project managers showcase their leadership skills and ability to manage projects to completion. Unlike the Sigma certification, which has 6 different levels that are precisely known as belts, this one is a single certification. Earning a PMP® certification means you have the mastery of various core concepts of project management that include processes such as the initiating, planning, monitoring, controlling, and closing stages.

That's why the PMP exam tests your knowledge of the standards and best practices that the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) covers.

Do the PMP® and Sigma Six Certifications Have Similarities?

Even though these two certifications are different in terms of their focus and industry applications, they have some similarities.

One of the most notable is that they both focus on improving project management approaches, only that Six Sigma leans more towards eliminating defects within certain processes, which are typically manufacturing processes.

The other overlapping characteristic is the level of expertise you must have in project management. Both certifications require you to have enough experience managing projects, workflow, and processes to qualify for the exams.

Finally, these two certifications are recognised internationally, which means you can transfer your credentials to other countries and use them to seek job opportunities.

So, Which One Should You Go For?

In the end, the most important question lingering in your mind is "Which of the two is superior?" Well, the answer to this question depends on your career goals or trajectory.

If you want to be able to use your certification across multiple industries, consider being PMP®-certified. On the other hand, the Lean Six Sigma certification is ideal if your goal is to work primarily in the manufacturing and production management industry.

For anyone who feels like they can't decide, the PMP® certification is a great start. From there, you can consider earning the Six Sigma certification to boost your prospects.

Make Your Certification Journey Easier

Both the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Project Management Professional (PMP®) certifications are great credentials to have in your project management career. If you can, it's certainly worth acquiring both.

Still, you want to make sure you are taking your courses from a reputable education provider like RocketCert. So, visit rocketcert.com today to start your journey towards endless possibilities!