Project Management

The internationally recognized certifications in project management are intended for project managers who would like to be able to show that they have an in-depth knowledge and practical experience of project management. They are also aimed at companies, administrations and other organizations who want to provide their clients with certification confirming the project management skills of their staff. Certification can be completed at IPMA Levels A (Certified Projects Director), B (Certified Senior Project Manager), C (Certified Project Manager) or D (Certified Project Management Associate).

Advantages of certification

For certified project manager
  • Evidence of skills on the basis of the IPMA Competence Baseline (Swiss NCB)
  • Evidence of project management knowledge and experience as proof of personal performance
  • Internationally recognized project management certificate
For companies and other organisations
  • Evidence of project management skills in the eyes of customers
  • Means of securing a competitive advantage
  • Establishes a qualification standard and a project management career path in the company
For customers
  • More peace of mind when placing projects
  • Project managers with more professional expertise

In implementing the certification system, the VZPM adheres strictly to the specifications laid down by the IPMA and to the binding standards for accreditation defined by ISO/IEC 17024. Compliance with these standards is regularly verified by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS)

The basis and the normative document for the certification of personnel in project management is the IPMA Competence Baseline (ICB). This document is also available in German and French in the form of the Swiss National Competence Baseline (Swiss NCB) of the VZPM. It provides candidates with a means of self assessment and serves as a means of external evaluation by VZPM assessors.

The ICB (Swiss NCB) defines the requirement profiles, with their differing structures, in line with the four-level certification system of the IPMA and describes the technical project management competence elements, the conduct-related project management competence elements and the context-related project management competence elements.