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In this issue... |
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Yes! Definitely! You have decided to take the PMP Exams. But what's next? Do you know which PMI credential is right for you? Are you confused which one is right for you? This week I will differentiate the 5 credentials in project management that are being offered by PMI. Read on and decide which PMI credential will help you gain career opportunities and advancement.
If you want another sample PMP exam question we have created another one just for you. Also, read our PMP exam tips for this week and learn an important study technique while preparing for your exams.
Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
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Which PMI Credential is Right for me?
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 The Project Management Institute (PMI)® offers 5 credentials in project management. Are you confused about which is the right one for you? Well, then here I am to help you find an answer.
PMI has a global presence with members in over 170 countries. It is the largest association dedicated to project management in the world. PMI is actively engaged in setting professional standards for project mangers which helps them set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. PMI credentials greatly enhance your employability.
PMI certifications give you the most sought after appreciation and visibility within your organization. It is an important investment for your career because the certificate may increase your job stability, expand your earning potential and provide a competitive stand in the job market.
To be eligible for any PMI credential, you must meet certain educational and project management experience requirements. They are different for each credential and are spelled out in detail in the Credential Handbooks. You'll find a link to each of the 5 handbooks on the PMI website www.pmi.org under "Career Development > About PMI's Credentials".
Go ahead... take a look at one or two of these handbooks. You will soon realize that there is one question that isn't answered in there. The question is "Where do I want to be in 5 years from today?" So instead of immediately reading up on the credentials you may first want to find out where your passion in project management lies, select the appropriate career path and then set your eyes on the appropriate credential.
Here is a PMI credential overview including highlights of the eligibility requirements. Please refer to the individual Credential Handbook for the complete requirements:
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
If you are a junior project management practitioner and have demonstrated your skills as a project team member then the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is the best option. You will get the fundamental knowledge of processes and terminology that will help you effectively manage projects. For the CAPM certification all you need is a high school diploma and either 1,500 hrs of professional experience on a project team or 23 hours of project management training.
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®
If your role involves developing and working on the project schedule then PMI Scheduling Professional is appropriate for you. Your knowledge and expertise in developing and maintaining the project schedule will be enhanced with the PMI Scheduling Professional. If you hold a bachelor's degree then you will need a minimum of 3500 hrs of project scheduling. With high school diploma you will require a minimum of 5000 hrs of work experience in project scheduling.
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
If you demonstrate knowledge and skills in the risk management of a project then PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) will suit you best. With a PMI-RMP credential you will develop an expertise in identifying project risks and in mitigating threats and capitalizing on the opportunities. If you have a bachelor's degree then you will need 3000 hrs of work experience in project risk management, but with a high school diploma 4500 hrs are mandatory.
Project Management Professional (PMP)®
If you perform your project management duties under general supervision, lead the team and direct all project tasks then you should go for the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. You will develop an in-depth understanding and skills to lead and direct project teams to deliver results within the constraints of budget, time and scope. The certification requires 3 years of professional experience with at least 4500 hours spent leading and directing project tasks. With a high school diploma five years of professional experience is required with at least 7500 hours spent in leading and directing project tasks.
Currently, the PMP Exam is the most sought after project management credential in the world.
Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
Do you handle multiple projects directed towards a strategic business objective? Do you manage programs that contain complex activities that span functions, organizations, geographic regions and cultures? In that case the Program Management Professional (PgMP) is the credential that you should opt for. It will help you gain an insight of multiple projects aligned with organizational objectives.
The eligibility criteria for the PgMP credential is a bachelor's degree with 4 years of project and program management experience. If you hold a high school diploma then you will need four years of project management experience along with 7 years of program management experience.
PMI credentials often lead to career opportunities and advancement. You will be recognized as a competent professional in project management processes for which you will be deeply appreciated by your employers. PMI serves as an unbiased endorsement of your project management knowledge and experience at a global level.
Once you earn a PMI credential (other than CAPM), you also need to fulfill the requirements of the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. You need to participate in professional development activities on a regular basis to adhere to the CCR program.
So, go ahead and become a certified CAPM, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, PMP or PgMP. It is a step ahead towards enhancing your career and increasing your professional growth. Put yourself in the limelight and maximize your earning potential without any further delay!
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| Answer all PMP Exam questions from the PMBOK perspective |
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 The number one tip to remember is to answer all questions on the PMP Exam from the perspective of the PMBOK Guide.
Watch this video we have prepared for you:
http://bit.ly/gbDp2T
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Sample PMP Exam Question
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 You are managing a telecom project. You have got two teams reporting to you. One team is responsible for equipment installation and the other team is responsible to commission and test that equipment. Both teams are working in parallel such that as soon as the installation teams finishes equipment installation at one site they move on to another site for installations and the commissioning and testing team start their activities on the newly installed site. The reporting structure is such that each of the teams have 5 engineers headed by a team lead. Each team member interacts with each other, however only the team leads interact with you. Both the team leads also interact with each other to synchronize their operations.
How many communication channels do you have in your project?
HINT: Calculate communication channels for each team and add them together.
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Exam Tip: Don't use too many PMP Exam Prep Books
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 What usually happens is that students preparing for the PMP exam try to go through too many PMP Exam Prep books or on-line courses thinking that they will be able to absorb everything that they watch and read. That is far from the truth. Too many books will in fact confuse you. Usually, one good exam prep book and one course is enough to complement the PMBOK Guide. Reading the PMBOK Guide is of course a must for any PMP student and no exam prep book is a substitute for it. And don't forget to read the the PMBOK Guide Glossary. As boring as that may seem, you'll really get to know and understand the terminology you need for the exam.
There are topics on the exam that are not mentioned in the PMBOK Guide, but still make regular appearance on the exam. Many popular exam prep books cover these topics. But PMI adds new topics on an ongoing basis so it's difficult to know what lies ahead on your own exam. To be able to overcome this, it is wise to learn from others. Try to read PMP online forums where exam passers are more than willing to share their experiences in taking the exam. Read their lessons learned to hear what topics may appear. This can be an essential part of your preparation, but don't get carried away. Spending a few minutes daily, reviewing and commenting on posts is usually sufficient.
So instead of muddling your brains with too many prep books, choose the one you like best to complement your PMBOK studies to ensure a successful exam.
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Solution
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 The correct answer is: A
Reference: PMBOK4 - pg:253
Explanation: This was a hard question, wasn't it? Lets analyze the scenario to calculate the answer. Here we have two independent teams. Each team has 6 members, i.e., 5 engineers and one team lead. Each team member is interacting with each other, so communication channels for each team are (6)(6-1)/2=15. Both the team leads are communicating with you so there are two communication channels for this interaction. Further since both the team leads are interacting with each other there is an another communication channel between them. Hence the total communication channels in your project is 15+15+2+1=33. Choice A is the only correct answer to this question.
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Lessons Learned from Wesley McFee
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I purchased 4 materials to study from:
- The 4th edition of the PMBOK
- PMP Exam Formulas Study Guide & Cheat Sheet (by OSP International LLC)
- Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep book
With the above 4 items, and a 3-ring binder organized into sections, I began my journey. I studied for the exam much as I've studied for courses in graduate school: I followed along to Cornelius' lesson while I had the PMBOK open to the corresponding section, and wrote a ton of notes in the margins and blank spaces on the pages in pencil. If Cornelius said something was important, I flagged the page with those colored flags made by Post-it (Think: sticky notes). I also had blank index cards with me, and occasionally paused the PM Prepcast to make flashcards. This study method took a long time (roughly 2.5 months for 5-8 hours a week) but I think my understanding was more effective than most approaches. I then reviewed the PMBOK again, stopping to read through sections I was weak on. Then I printed out Cornelius' Formulas Cheat Sheet, used white out on every part of the formula after the "=" sign, and then made copies of the augmented document. I then practiced writing in the formulas by hand until I could recite almost the entire sheet by memory. Also, I printed out all the emails that correspond to the Formulas Guide and kept them in a single section of a 3-ring binder. (Other sections included PMP Application, PMP Test (the printout with the test date, exam site, and confirmation #), and PDUs.) I glanced over PMI's Practice Standards (Risk Management, Scheduling, WBS, and Earned Value Management) available to PMI Members. Finally, I skimmed through Rita's PMP Exam Prep book, and really only took the time to master "Rita's Process Chart".
Exam day was challenging. As Cornelius advised, immediately upon entering the testing area, I wrote out formulas and important information onto one of the pages of scrap paper. (AKA, a "brain dump".) The exam was as difficult as claimed, but I was significantly prepared because of The PM PrepCast above all; material not in the PMBOK was adequately covered in the PM PrepCast. Thank you, sincerely, Cornelius--in part because of you, today I am PMP#1371585.
Some more success stories here..
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