The MCITP for Project Managers

As a project manager, you can add one more must-have project management certification to your list: the IT Professional: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007. This is a brand new certification from Microsoft that is part of their new generation of credentials. This is an MCITP certification, or Microsoft Certified IT Professional certification.

According to Microsoft, the MCITP certification covering enterprise project management and Project Server 2007 is much more than a product certification. This is part of their new Office Project 2007 certification family. It is designed for helping project managers apply today's leading PM best practices and methodologies that have been set forth by the PMI, or the Project Management Institute. With the right Microsoft MCITP training and the ensuing certification, the result includes better project outcomes, increased efficiency, and optimal resource management.

Are you a good match for this professional credential? The MCITP for Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 recognizes a project manager's ability to use Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 and Office Project Server 2007 for managing and supporting projects in an enterprise project management environment.

The ideal candidate currently manages projects in such an environment and has the ability to manage efforts, issues, risks, documents, task progress, and timesheets. In addition, they understand key project management concepts and terminology and are comfortable with the PMBOK Guide from the Project Management Institute titled, "A Guide to the Project Management Book of Knowledge" (PMBOK Guide).

So, what type of Microsoft MCITP training is involved? In addition to having project management experience as described above, you will need to study for and pass three certification exams, two of which are the prerequisite MCTS certification exams: 70-632 TS: MS Office Project 2007, Managing Projects and 70-633 TS: MS Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects.

Once you've successfully earned both MCTS designations, then you can begin preparing for exam 70-634 PRO: MS Project Server 2007, Managing Projects and Programs.

Even after studying, learning, and passing all three exams keep in mind that your training doesn't end there. Like all of the new generation certifications, this MCITP credential requires passing a refresher exam every three years. This requirement ensures that active MCITPs are knowledgeable in the latest technologies.