November 12 2026 at 06:02AM
Path to Certification by Joppe van Berkum
For a long time, I had the idea of going for the PMI certifications, and I am glad I finally did. I first obtained the PMP and later the PgMP. For me, it was not so much about learning completely new things, but more about taking the time to step back and consciously revisit my own field. It became a way to reflect on my experience and to align it with the PMI body of knowledge. In that sense, it felt less like studying for a certification and more like a deliberate investment in my professional development.
What stood out for me is how explicitly PMI describes topics like benefits management and governance. In daily practice, these topics are always there, but not always made that explicit. Studying the material made me more aware of where I rely on experience and where a more explicit and complete approach can add value.
Preparing for the exams felt like a good refresher of my knowledge. Besides the standards, I found the PMI practice guides, especially on benefits management, risk, and governance, very helpful in connecting theory and practice. In addition to that, I spent a lot of time discussing questions using AI. These discussions went beyond simply finding the right answer and helped me to better understand the underlying principles and deeper layers. In that sense, AI felt a bit like having a personal tutor available to challenge my thinking and sharpen my judgment.
For the exams, I mainly practiced by doing many, many sample questions. Still, I was surprised by how ambiguous the real exams were, especially the PgMP. Quite often, more than one answer seemed plausible. After finishing, I honestly had no idea whether I had passed or not.
Fortunately, the result was positive. The process was more challenging than I expected, but definitely worth the effort. It helped me to reflect on my way of working and to manage complex programs more consciously. For me, it has been a real enrichment of my professional practice.
I would recommend this journey to anyone who wants to step back from daily practice and reflect on their field of expertise.
Author’s bio
Joppe van Berkum has over 30 years of experience in project and program management, with the last 15 years mainly focused on leading complex transformation programs. His work typically sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and organizational change, often combining technology with new ways of working.
He has worked both as an independent advisor and as a consultant at firms such as Boer & Croon, supporting organizations across different sectors in digital transformation, organizational design, and performance improvement. His assignments have included leading large-scale transformation programs, setting up governance and portfolio management structures, and guiding organizations through complex transitions.
