CMMI vs. PMBOK
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) vs. Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
Both the CMMI & PMBOK cover a broad body of information regarding how to appropriately manage and develop a program or project as a manager (PM).
Project Management Body of Knowledge — PMBOK defines and teaches the processes, terminology, and best practices necessary for a manager to plan, manage, and close any generic project across multiple disciplines. These practices are widely accepted across the project management industry.
Capability Maturity Model Integration — The CMMI framework aims to provide a tiered approach for managers to analyze and then increase the overall productivity and efficiency of an organization primarily concerned with software development, services, or acquisition. After individual certification practitioners apply their skills to evaluate and certify organizational processes.
Certifications:
PMBOK — Project Management Institute (PMI) provides certifications as a:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
Assessments:
CMMI — CMMI Institute provides certifications and is associated with ISACA through an acquisition. ISACA was previously known as Information System Audit and Control Association but is now only known by its acronym ISACA only.
CMMI Institute provides certifications as a:
- Certified CMMI Associate
- Certified Enterprise Data Management Associate
- Certified CMMI Professional
Expert Level Certifications:
- Certified CMMI Lead Appraiser
- Certified CMMI Instructor
- Certified EDM Expert — Enterprise Data Management (EDM)
Both PMBOK and CMMI Institute certifications require applications proving some level of PM experience along with required fees. The higher the certification the more money and experience is necessary.
Personally from my personal research attaining a PMP certification from the PMI is more bang for the buck while learning a generic and widely appreciated framework. However, this may be biased due to already completing the PMP. The next step will be gaining a baseline or higher certification from the CMMI Institute to better assess each certification.
