How do you convince your boss that your Project Coordination Certification is worth the investment?

1 Identify the gap

The first step is to identify the gap between your current skills and the skills required for your role and career goals. You can use a self-assessment tool, such as the Project Coordination Competency Framework (PCCF), to evaluate your strengths and areas for improvement. The PCCF defines the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that project coordinators need to perform effectively in different domains, such as communication, planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. By comparing your self-assessment results with the PCCF standards, you can identify the specific skills that you need to develop or enhance through a PCC.

2 Research the options

When seeking a PCC, you should research the options available and ensure the provider is reputable, accredited, and aligned with your needs. Look for a PCC that is recognized by an organization such as PMI or IPMA, covers the core competencies and domains of the PCCF or similar framework, offers flexible and accessible learning modes such as online, blended, or self-paced, provides practical and relevant learning outcomes such as case studies, simulations, or projects, and has positive reviews and feedback from previous or current learners. You can use online directories, databases, or forums to find and compare PCC options. Additionally, you can contact providers directly to request more information about course outlines, learning objectives, assessment methods, and testimonials.

3 Calculate the return

The third step in the process is to calculate the return on investment (ROI) of a PCC for yourself and your organization. To do this, you need to estimate the costs and benefits of a PCC in terms of time, money, and value. Costs can include tuition fees and other expenses such as books, materials, or travel, as well as the time and effort required to complete the PCC, including study hours, assignments, and exams. You should also consider the opportunity costs of taking time away from your work or other commitments. Benefits include increased knowledge and skills that will improve your performance and productivity, enhanced credibility and reputation that will boost your confidence, recognition, and career prospects, as well as a positive impact on your organization such as delivering better results or increasing customer satisfaction. You can use a simple formula or a spreadsheet to calculate the ROI of a PCC by dividing the total benefits by the total costs and multiplying by 100 to get the percentage of ROI. Additionally, you can compare the ROI of different PCC options to find the best value for your money.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?