PMP is an insanely valuable thing to have, and in organizations without a "real" PM, I go NUTS because noone knows WTF they are doing when it comes to project plans. Hell, I've considered getting a PMI cert just so I can do it RIGHT as well. And since I'm technical, I can understand some of the hurdles in planning tech shit.

Also? Project planning tools are your friend. MS Project, OmniPlan, etc. Use them, love them, keep them updated.