A Comparison of Project Management Certifications: IPMA, PMI, HERMES, and School Certifications

A project management certificate is often a good starting point if you have little experience planning and managing projects. Various educational providers offer their own courses and issue a certificate upon successful completion.

In class, for example, you'll learn how to plan projects, define goals, assign tasks, coordinate deadlines, and control costs. Project organization, communication, risk management, and working with project stakeholders are also frequently covered in the course.

Who is a school certificate suitable for?

• For beginners who want to learn the basics of project management.
• For employees who regularly work on projects.
• For people who would like to take on smaller projects or subprojects in the future.
• For professionals who want to systematically expand their existing knowledge.

What's important to consider when making a choice?

School certificates are not automatically comparable with one another. The name, course content, duration, and final exam vary depending on the educational provider. A school certificate is therefore not equivalent to an independent certification from IPMA, PMI, or HERMES.

Before enrolling, check what skills you’ll acquire, whether an exam is required, and how practical the course is. If you plan to pursue a recognized external certification later on, you should also determine whether the continuing education is suitable as preparation for it.

HERMES is a standardized project management method developed by the federal government. It helps organizations plan, manage, and execute projects in a structured manner. It is particularly widespread in the Swiss federal administration, as well as in cantons, municipalities, and the ICT sector. Private-sector companies also use HERMES.

Among other things, the method describes project phases, roles, tasks, and deliverables. It also provides templates and tools that facilitate consistent project execution.

What types of HERMES certifications are there?

There are two main certification levels:

• HERMES Foundation: Intended for project team members and individuals who wish to demonstrate a basic understanding of the method. Project managers, clients, and other project stakeholders can also benefit from it.
• HERMES Advanced: Designed for experienced project managers and individuals who use HERMES in project management.

There are no restrictive admission requirements for the Foundation exam. For the Advanced exam, in-depth knowledge and practical experience with HERMES are recommended or required, as specified in the respective exam requirements.

How long is a HERMES certificate valid?

The HERMES Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely. The Advanced certificate is valid for five years and must be recertified thereafter.

One current change concerns the certification body: TÜV SÜD will be responsible for certification until the end of 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the SAQ (Swiss Association for Quality) will take over this responsibility. The HERMES method itself remains unaffected by this change.

Who can benefit from HERMES?

If you work in a Swiss government agency, on an ICT project, or for an organization that uses HERMES, obtaining this certification can be particularly beneficial. Not only will you learn the fundamentals of project management, but you’ll also be able to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the methodology used in your organization.

The IPMA (International Project Management Association) offers an internationally oriented certification system for project management, program management, and portfolio management. In Switzerland, the Association for the Certification of Management Professionals (VZPM) is responsible for certification.

Unlike a test that focuses solely on knowledge, IPMA takes into account not only theoretical knowledge but also practical application and personal competence. This includes, for example, leadership, communication, collaboration, planning, and project management.

What IPMA certifications are available?

IPMA certification in project management consists of four levels:

Which IPMA level matches your experience?

• Level D: You want to demonstrate your project management knowledge but have little or no practical experience. For this level, you do not need to provide proof of practical project management experience.
• Level C: You have already led projects for several years or worked in a senior project management role. For Level C, you must generally demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience within the last six years.
• Levels B and A: These levels are intended for highly experienced project professionals who are responsible for complex projects, programs, or portfolios. Eligibility depends on the individual’s experience, level of responsibility, and the complexity of the work.

You don't necessarily have to start at Level D. If you meet the requirements for a higher level, you can apply for it directly.

What sets IPMA apart?

IPMA views project management as a combination of various competencies. In addition to methodological knowledge, personal and social skills, as well as an understanding of a project’s context, play an important role. As a result, this certification is particularly well-suited for professionals who wish to demonstrate their practical project management skills.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is an international organization dedicated to project management. Its CAPM and PMP certifications are particularly well-known. They are based on PMI’s standards and competency models and are recognized by many international companies and organizations.

CAPM: An Introduction to Professional Project Management

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is designed for individuals who wish to acquire basic project management skills and demonstrate them with an internationally recognized certificate.

To be eligible for certification, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as at least 23 hours of project management training prior to the exam. Several years of experience managing projects is not required.

The CAPM exam covers, among other things:

• Fundamentals and Key Concepts of Project Management
• Traditional, plan-based project management methods
• Agile Frameworks and Approaches
• Fundamentals of Business Analysis

The CAPM is therefore suitable for beginners, project team members, and individuals who wish to prepare for a future role as a project coordinator or junior project manager.

PMP: Certification for Experienced Project Managers

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is designed for professionals who already have several years of experience in project management. It is considered one of the most internationally recognized project management certifications.

The admission requirements were revised in 2026. Depending on the level of education, the following periods of experience are required:

In addition, proof of at least 35 hours of project management training must be provided. A valid CAPM certification may also satisfy this training requirement. The specific requirements for educational qualifications and their classification must be verified at the time of registration.

What has changed regarding PMP certification in 2026?

PMI has updated the PMP certification for 2026. The revised requirements and exam content take into account, among other things, the growing importance of artificial intelligence, sustainability, hybrid approaches, and value creation through projects.

The assessment also covers the areas of people, process, and business environment. This ensures that, in addition to methodological project management, leadership, collaboration, strategic context, and organizational framework are also taken into account.

If you're aiming to earn a PMP certification, you should therefore be sure to use the currently valid eligibility requirements and exam materials from PMI. Older information about the requirements may now be outdated.

Not all projects are carried out using a traditional approach that is fully planned in advance. Agile methods are used particularly in software development, product development, and dynamic business areas. They enable teams to deliver results in stages, respond to changes, and collaborate closely with clients or users.

If you work in this kind of environment, an agile certification can be a valuable addition to a general project management certification.

What agile certifications are available?

Some of the well-known options include:

• Professional Scrum Master (PSM): A certification from Scrum.org for individuals who support Scrum teams and wish to take on the role of Scrum Master. There are several levels, including PSM I, PSM II, and PSM III.
• Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO): Certification for individuals who are responsible for product value and the product backlog in Scrum teams.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): A certification offered by the Scrum Alliance for individuals who understand Scrum and wish to work as Scrum Masters.
• SAFe Certifications: Various certifications for implementing the Scaled Agile Framework, which supports agile collaboration across multiple teams and organizational units.
• IPMA Agile Leadership: Certifications for individuals who wish to demonstrate their agile competencies at various levels of experience and responsibility.

The requirements vary depending on the provider. At Scrum.org, for example, passing an online exam is essential; completing a course beforehand is not mandatory. Other certifications require participation in an accredited training program.

When is agile certification a good idea?

If you work as a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or on an agile project team, a relevant certification can demonstrate your methodological knowledge. For traditional project management tasks involving responsibility for budgets, deadlines, and resources, however, a broader project management certification is often more appropriate. In some organizations, traditional and agile skills complement each other.

The right certification depends primarily on the tasks you're currently handling and the responsibilities you'd like to take on in the future.

• You're new to project management: A school certificate or the PMI CAPM can help you learn the basics and demonstrate your initial knowledge. IPMA Level D is also an option if you want to validate your project management skills with an external certification.
• If you work in a Swiss government agency or in the ICT field, and your organization uses HERMES, obtaining HERMES certification is a logical next step. The Foundation level is ideal for project team members, while the Advanced level is suitable for experienced project managers.
• You want to demonstrate your practical project management skills: IPMA is particularly relevant if you want to demonstrate not only your theoretical knowledge but also your experience and skills in project work. The appropriate level depends on your previous responsibilities and project experience.
• If you work internationally or would like to work internationally, PMI CAPM and, in particular, PMP are interesting options. The CAPM is designed for people at the beginning of their project management careers, while the PMP requires several years of experience.
• You work in agile teams: A Scrum, SAFe, or IPMA Agile Leadership certification may be helpful if you want to deepen your knowledge of agile methods or take on a related role.

What should you look for when choosing a project management certification?

Before you decide on a course or certification, you should compare a few things:

1. Your professional experience: Check whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Practical experience is particularly important for IPMA Level C and higher, as well as for the PMP.
2. Your career goal: Do you want to support projects, lead them independently, or take charge of complex programs and portfolios?
3. The Work Environment: Find out which project management method is used in your company, your industry, or your desired field of work.
4. Recognition: Determine whether it is a school certificate issued by the institution itself or a certification based on an external standard.
5. The Assessment: Determine whether the assessment will take the form of a written exam, a demonstration of competence, a report on practical experience, or a combination of different assessment methods.
6. Validity: Find out whether the certificate is valid indefinitely or must be renewed periodically.
7. Preparation: Check whether you need to take a course or if you can prepare for the exam on your own.

A training course can help you systematically build the necessary knowledge and prepare for an external certification exam. However, it is important that you meet the requirements of the respective certification body. Simply taking a preparatory course does not automatically guarantee that you will receive the corresponding external certificate.