Summary
Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) Program is a comprehensive framework to implement change. It integrates stakeholders, processes, and outputs. It hands off these improvements to operations in a way that sets the team up for
success.
By studying this material, I learned a lot more about
business. As expected, I learned about the processes of projects such as
business case, evaluation, formal plans and supplementary documents, execution
techniques, measurement controls, follow up, etc.
I also learned a great deal about the areas involved in a
project and the value of each including: integrations, scope, time, cost,
quality, talent, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholders. Learning how to leverage each area’s
specialties to benefit the whole was very interesting. It’s been highly motivating to master this content
through the certification program because I find that my level of comprehension
is much deeper when I know a formal test is coming. 😊
Overall Focus
The PMP covers a lot of detailed information! The test is 4 hours long with 200 multiple
choice questions. While preparing for
the test, I spent a lot of time on activities that didn’t add much value.
I recommend approaching the content this way:
·
Processes – Understand each of the processes
in detail: the purpose and sequence of them, what their inputs are, what tools
and techniques are commonly used for them, and what the outputs are. This is the core of the material that is
tested. Know it well.
·
Situations – Understand how the processes
are applied in various scenarios with slight nuances that can throw you off. This is the key focus of the test – how to
apply the processes. Look for this as
you learn and as you’re tested.
·
Calculations – Understand what each of
the formulas do, how they’re helpful, and how to do them, but don’t worry about
memorizing them.
Most Valuable Prep
·
Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep Guide – Start
here and take notes on key items as you go.
Understanding the purpose of each of the processes and how they function
is the core of the test.
·
Rita Mulcahy’s PMP FASTrack Test Simulation
– Take this after reading the guide once or twice. Repeat
until you get over 80% three times in a row.
It’s great for showing you where you have holes in your knowledge. I recommend taking it one day and then
spending the next day really understanding the questions you got wrong and
reading up about those topics in the guide.
·
PMP Framework Process Chart – Learn to
draw the Process Chart with the 5 process groups, 10 knowledge areas, and all
47 process names in the appropriate sequence (from the PMBOK guide).
The class I took was the LinkedIn certification course. I do not recommend it.
Week Prior
·
Take a simulation test every other day –
o
You’ll get a good feel for the time allotted and
how to optimize it. I had plenty of time
to read through most questions a second time.
I recommend going slowly and make sure you understand every word. Sometimes there are subtle words that change
the best response.
o
Unless a question says otherwise, look at each
one as if the project you're managing is $10m with 200 international team members
and a formal PMO.
·
Off-days – review wrong answers in depth,
practice formulas, and practice drawing the PMP Framework Process Chart.
Day Prior
·
Draw the PMP Framework Process Chart
·
Put your ID and test confirmation in your wallet
·
Get plenty of rest
Day of
·
Arrive 30 minutes early (takes a while to check
in)
·
Don’t bring anything you don’t need inside –
everything goes in a locker except your ID (including all jewelry but wedding
ring)
·
Go slow - read the question and options twice
before moving to the next one
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