Why Chartered Status is the gold standard in project management

When we talk about the pinnacle of excellence, or ‘being the best’, we often use athletes in our examples – gold medal winners – because there isn’t an award higher. And in the world of project management, what marks the highest level of competence, knowledge and experience?

It is, of course, the globally recognised, highest possible standard of project expertise – the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status. This benchmark validates your knowledge, real-world experience and commitment to maintain professionalism, making it the gold standard in project management.

As you know, our world is constantly changing, and with this, society’s needs are rapidly evolving. Organisations and employers are now urgently demanding proven expertise, strategic leadership, strong ethics and commitment to excellence from project professionals. Becoming ChPP shows them you have all of this through a rigorous assessment of your real-world experience and competence.

Achieving Chartered status could be your key to securing long-term career growth, unlocking leadership opportunities and elevating your professional reputation, bringing in recognition from organisations and peers.

Why Chartered Project Professional is the top-tier certification

Chartered standard is the global benchmark of excellence

Holding Chartered status is the most prestigious achievement in project management. As the competition for senior roles grows, Chartered status sets you apart; it’s the only standard of this calibre. Unlike other qualifications or certifications that focus on knowledge and methodology, ChPP is an independent assessment of experience and competence. Attaining it demonstrates that you’ve applied your skills in complex, high-stakes environments and successfully delivered projects with measurable outcomes.

Competency based: It validates your ability to manage projects effectively, not just pass an exam.
Industry agnostic: Whatever industry you work in, construction, IT, finance, healthcare, etc, ChPP is relevant across all sectors.
Globally recognised: As the only Chartered standard for project managers, Chartered Project Professionals set a global benchmark for excellence.
Encourages dedication: Once you achieve Chartered status, you’re committed to ongoing professional development to maintain and uphold it.

If you want to lead major programmes, influence organisational strategy, or future-proof your career, achieving APM’s Chartered standard is a powerful step forward.

Recognition and respect from colleagues and organisations

Achieving Chartered status is a clear marker of excellence in project and programme management. Employers, clients and peers will trust you because you’ve met the highest standard.

Patrick Heisel OBE, MScCM ChPP shares: “Becoming Chartered has professionalised and endorsed my wide range of skills and experience in project management. [It] has given stakeholders and professionals with whom I work the confidence and reassurance that I’m current and competent in my field.”

Holding the Chartered standard reassures employers, organisations, clients and stakeholders that you meet the topmost level of competence, ethics and professionalism in project management. In fact the BBC highlights that the success of ChPPs sets the bar for other project managers to aspire to, and improves confidence in the delivery of critical programmes.

Long-term career advancement and job security

Project management is an increasingly competitive field, and securing senior roles often requires proof of expertise. Becoming Chartered strengthens your employability and future-proofs your career by aligning you with a recognised professional standard. It makes you a high-value asset in your organisation, increasing your likelihood of securing roles and long-term job stability.

Helen Donaghy ChPP explains: "Achieving this standard has given me the confidence to see myself progressing my project management career further. It’s becoming more requested for senior roles within the public sector.”

If you're an experienced project manager looking to advance your career, enhance credibility, and improve project outcomes, APM’s Chartered Project Professional standard is a powerful differentiator.

Leadership opportunities and influence

One of the most significant advantages of achieving the Chartered standard is the level of trust and credibility it builds with stakeholders and peers. Holding ChPP status positions you as a thought leader in project management. It opens doors to roles in strategic decision-making, governance and transformation.

As a Chartered project professional, you’re more likely to be seen as a mentor and role model, helping to develop the next generation of project managers. The BBC notes that their ChPP certified professionals play a key role in the “mentoring and retention of other project managers in the community, who are key to future capability”.

By achieving Chartership status, you’ll help shape the future of project management, both within your organisation and across the profession.

Are you ready to showcase your expertise in project management?

There are few things in life that mark the ultimate height of success, fewer still that many of us can achieve. But if you’re a project professional, that gold medal isn’t too far out of reach. It’s a path you can walk on to prove that you’re part of the group that embodies excellence in our relentless, tireless field.

Holding Chartered Project Professional status isn’t just a personal achievement, it’s a professional benchmark that signifies your mastery of complex projects. It represents that you hold the ultimate standard; the ‘gold medal’ of project and programme expertise.

As Helen Donaghy, ChPP, puts it, “if you want to be at the forefront of the profession as it grows and evolves, then this is the opportunity for you”. Project management is evolving to meet the complex demands of the world, are you ready to meet those demands?

Join your colleagues and start your journey to becoming a Chartered Project Professional today.