The 7-year itch

After nearly seven years in project management, I realised I’d hit that moment. Not burnout. Not boredom. Just a niggling sense that I needed something to show for my career so far, something formal that recognises not only what I’ve delivered, but where I’m heading. Enter: the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard.

Now, I didn’t immediately feel “Chartership material.” I thought it was reserved for people who’d delivered the Olympics or rebuilt a national landmark. It’s not. It’s for professionals like us - already doing the work, just finally putting a name to it.

One spreadsheet to rule them all

The ChPP Self-Assessment Tool isn’t just a spreadsheet - it’s a mirror. And not the flattering kind. Within 15 minutes, it’ll tell you whether you’re ready or need a bit more seasoning.

I chose Pathway 3 because I already held the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ). This route meant demonstrating a spread of competencies, backed up with real-life examples, and then a technical knowledge interview. In theory, it’s perfectly logical.

In practice? Picture me, late night, hunched over the spreadsheet muttering, “Wait… was that the project where I showed great leadership, or just survived on biscuits and blind optimism?”

I rotated projects in and out like I was curating a greatest hits album. The balancing act between covering all competencies and showing variety turned into a game of Project Management Sudoku – only with more existential doubt and fewer rules.

What kept me on course were the APM ChPP clinics - a series of three webinars that break the whole process down with military precision. They demystified what assessors are looking for, helped me focus on what mattered (and crucially, what didn’t), and saved me from rewriting every other sentence in a panic.

Spoiler alert: assessors aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for clarity, credibility and evidence that you know your stuff.

Checkpoint charlie: The skills audit

The spreadsheet is half the battle, it’s a fast, honest reckoner of whether you’re truly ready or not. It enabled me to dig deep, not just into project files, but into my own memory bank.

Here’s the silver lining: if you’re not ready, that’s totally okay. Treat it as a skills audit - identify the gaps, make a plan and embrace it as a growth opportunity. This journey isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon… complete with checkpoints, self-assessments and the occasional motivational black hole.

Critical friend, meet critical self

What I didn’t expect was how much this would challenge how I see myself.

I didn’t feel “high profile” enough to go for it. And I know I’m not alone. There’s a confidence gap - especially for women and underrepresented groups - that makes even the most capable professionals second-guess themselves.

For a long time, I stood in my own way, wondering: “Am I really qualified for this?”

But Chartership flipped the script. I realised I’m already operating at this level and in some areas, I’d been quietly exceeding it. That was wildly affirming.

It also reminded me of the power of a good network. My mentors and colleagues pushed me to pursue this, reminding me of what I’d achieved. Without them, I wouldn’t be writing this.

Top tip: lean on your network. And then be that person for someone else.

Critical path: Tips and tricks

Use your network: I leaned on two brilliant mentors (inaugural ChPPs themselves), who not only reviewed my application, stretched my thinking and helped me prep for the interview, but also formally supported my submission as named proposers.

APM resources (membership based): The APM Project journal is a cheat code. Think Harvard Business Review, but for project pros. I referenced Systems Thinking from a recent edition in my interview – showing I wasn’t just managing projects, but seeing the bigger picture.

Know when to walk away from the keyboard: You will tinker. And tweak. And spiral. Schedule breaks or you’ll start doubting whether your name sounds credible.

Proofread like you’re being judged, because you are: Clear, concise writing wins. Avoid buzzwords, stay honest. You’re not expected to have saved the world; just show the impact you’ve made in it.

Pay it forward: Got help? Give help. One of the best parts of this process has been realising how generous the project management community can be when you ask - and how rewarding it is to return the favour.

Benefits realised: And then some

Becoming Chartered helped me stop downplaying my experience and start owning it. It’s made me more thoughtful about my career path, more intentional with my CPD and more invested in helping others realise their potential too. It even sparked my ambition to go for Fellowship one day - watch this space!

Most importantly, it reminded me that the strength of our profession lies in how we support one another - especially when confidence wobbles, potential feels buried, or we forget just how far we’ve come.

Bonus: I now have a tidy, well-evidenced record of my best work, ready to roll out for future interviews. No more last-minute scrambles to remember that time I expertly diffused a stakeholder showdown in 2019.

Go/no-go? Here’s your green light

If you’re on the fence about Chartership, please take this as your sign.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need 20 years of experience. You just need to be willing to speak to your experience, reflect honestly and back yourself.

Because chances are, like me, you’re already operating at this level - and the only person left to convince is you.