This study posited that a relationship exists between information technology (IT) project managers' technical education and commercial project management certification and project management success, also known as project efficiency, for Department of Defense (DoD) IT project managers (PMs). Specifically, this research asked, "To what extent does project management success in scope, schedule, and cost compare with PMs with STEM and non-STEM education?" "To what extent does project management success compare with PMs with a commercial certification and without a commercial certification?" "To what extent do interaction between education type (STEM and non-STEM) and commercial certification compare with project management success?" A gap in research exists on whether IT PMs with a technical education positively impact project outcomes. The IT PM community needs more studies on the extent to which commercial PM certifications impact project efficiency. The literature search failed to yield any studies on how interactive effects of IT PM technical education and certification impact project efficiency. This research used factorial multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to compare education and PM certification to project efficiency. MANOVA provided for the examination of the interactive effects. The population of DoD IT PMs includes 24,534 program/project managers and information technology members, 74% male, with varying education types and PM certifications. The sample of 284 DoD IT PMs collected via Internet survey was representative of the population with 75% male respondents. MANOVA tested the research question hypotheses. A Mann-Whitney post hoc test confirmed the MANOVA results. Both tests concluded that no relationship exists between undergraduate STEM education and commercial PM certification and project outcomes on scope, schedule, and cost. This study suggests that organizations should recruit project managers with either a STEM or non-STEM degree. To improve IT project efficiency, this study suggests that organizations should not make the attainment of commercial PM certification compulsory, as the benefits balance tilts more toward the individual's career than project management success. Voluntary commercial PM certifications do have value for the individual PM interested in career advancement. Further research is recommended using secondary data. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]