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In this issue... |
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 Hello ,
Welcome to September! Holiday season is just around the corner at this time of the year.
In this issue, find the answer to your question: "Which PMI Credential is Right for me?" Read on and enjoy!
We have been receiving emails about how Andy Crowe's The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, 4th Edition has helped them achieve PMP exam success. So we are once again featuring this book as a "recommended study material". This book contains insider secrets, test tricks and tips, hundreds
of sample questions and intelligently created exercises to reinforce
your proficiency of key concepts that will guide you to achieve a
successful result.
Good luck in your PMP Exams! If you know someone who could benefit from this newsletter, feel free to forward it to them.
Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
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Recommended Study Materials
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 We recommend this book because it contains a wealth of information that a project manager needs to know to pass the PMP Exam -- the first time!
If this is your first attempt to pass the PMP exam, Andy's The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, 4th Edition (Disclosure: Compensated Affiliate) is an essential part of your study materials. Based on the PMBOK Guide, 4th Edition, it provides 44 processes, 592 inputs, tools and outputs that will thoroughly prepare you for the exam.
It also contains insider secrets, test tricks and tips, hundreds of sample questions and intelligently created exercises to reinforce your proficiency of key concepts that will guide you to achieve a successful result.
Some highlights of this book include:
- Project Management Processes and Knowledge Areas - A detailed breakdown of all Processes and KA's with clear explanations and no extraneous information to confuse you.
- Tools, Tips and Tricks - Tools such as formulas and various project management process tables are well organized and explained and will strengthen your comprehension and retention. Insiders' tips are presented In an easy to understand style to give you an edge.
- Sample Exam Questions - Quizzes at the end of each chapter and a final exam give you a better feel of the exam. The book keeps pace with the ever-evolving PMP test and helps you understand and navigate the complex exam questions. You'll learn how to correctly answer questions on the first try.
Order The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, 4th Edition from Barnes and Noble by clicking HERE!
Full Disclosure: The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, 4th Edition is an affiliate product. If you click and choose to purchase the book, we will earn a commission.
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Which PMI Credential is Right for me? |
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 certification gives 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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Exam Time Management and Question Styles
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 Proper time management and understanding the question styles in the exam will help you pass the PMP Exam.
Watch this video we have prepared for you: http://bit.ly/kuC8ZT
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Sample PMP Exam Question
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The following PMP exam sample question is taken from the Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom.
Tim is the project manager working on an electronic manufacturing project. In his project he wants to establish a warranty for some of the precision parts he is buying. What risk response strategy is he using?
A.) Mitigate
B.) Avoid
C.) Accept
D.) Transfer
Hint: Tim is shifting the negative impact of the risk.
All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK Guide standard. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.
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Exam Tip: What is the difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control?
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Many people have trouble understanding the difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) as they are preparing for their PMP Exam. That is not surprising. The terms are very closely related and if you don't work in the field, the difference doesn't seem too obvious.
Let's first look at the PMBOK Guide definition for each:
Perform Quality Assurance: The process of auditing the quality requirements and the results from quality control measurements to ensure appropriate quality standards and operational definitions are used.
Perform Quality Control: The process of monitoring and recording results of executing the quality activities to assess performance and recommend necessary changes.
As always, the PMBOK Guide is a bit dry in it's definitions, but before we "translate" these definitions into everyday words, it is a good idea to remind ourselves first of two other quality concepts. They are "Prevention over inspection" and "DIRFT - Do It Right the First Time". At the heart of these two concepts lies the idea that everything we produce should be produced error free from the start, because it's more costly to fix an error afterwards.
So... how can we assure that our deliverables are produced error free? Simple: We have to put appropriate processes in place; processes that are aimed at helping us produce these deliverables without errors every time. But because there will always be some deviation from even the best processes, we also have to put some controls in place, which measure the results after the fact, so that we can make adjustments if necessary.
Quality Assurance are therefore the processes that are aimed at preventing any defects and Quality Control are the measurements we have in place to detect and repair any remaining defects.
So let's assume that you are manufacturing the iPhone. In QA you put all the processes in place to ensure that each iPhone is manufactured defect free. This would include the types of manufacturing equipment used, training people and documenting all production processes. QC comes into play after the fact by testing the finished product. For instance you do a sample testing to see if a randomly picked iPhone from your production line passes or fails the standards.
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| Answer |
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 Answer: The correct answer is D.
Explanation: Risk transfer requires shifting some or all of the negative impact of a threat, along with the ownership of the response. Taking out insurance or a warranty transfers the risk from the owner to the other party.
Reference: PMBOK4 - pg:303
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Lessons Learned from Mounir Sadak
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Wow I can't believe it is my turn to share my story of passing the PMP exam with everyone. I have been reading the lessons learned for few weeks by now, and all I can say that the plans and strategies for studying for the exam, and the material used might be different, but one goal is the same: Passing the exam.
I started studying for the exam beginning of January of this year. It's been a challenge to stick to a set schedule while working and taking care of both personal and professional business. However, success is possible not only with a good plan of studying, but mainly by sticking to the plan and having a strong commitment to achieving that goal.
To study for the exam I used the following material: Read more here.. |
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