PM Fastrack - Simulated Exam Software

I used this software to take simulated exams. I need to dig out the exact number of tests that I took before cracking the PMP exam

PMBOK

I can hear you saying that you are bored to death reading the PMBOK :-)

This one comes along with the package that you receive by post, after you register and become a member of the Project Management Institute!

Let me try to address the portion about the readability.

For the people with a programming background, I can compare the readability of this book to that of C Programming by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie. The readability is a bit lesser than a normal book, because the content has no fluff. It is very crisp.

Personally, I like to hold the books in my hand. You may get a hold of the printed version of the book from amazon, in case you don't like reading it online.


I would suggest the following schedule for the PMBOK.

Step 1: Skim through the book. This would give a grasp of the entire PMP framework and the various knowledge areas.

Step 2: Attend training. Since you have already gone through the PMBOK once, your absorption in the class would be 5-6 times more than the others who haven't gone through the same

Step 3: Read the certification support material that you have, along with the specific PMBOK chapters

Step 4: As you take up the simulated tests, consider reading the PMBOK once again

Step 5: A week before the examination, revise the definitions and the formulae given in the PMBOK

Eligibility for PMP

The eligibility for the PMP examination has two aspects

Training and the Professional Development Units (PDUs)

• Applicants must have 35 hours of specific project management education.
• There are a number of providers online and onsite, who offer training leading to the PMP certification. You may choose any of them
  

Work Experience

• With a Bachelor's Degree (or the global equivalent): Applicants must have a minimum three years professional project management experience, during which 4,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application
• Without a Bachelor's Degree(or the global equivalent): Applicants must have a minimum five years professional project management experience, during which at least 7,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application.

PMP Audit

I've always hated audits. Especially the ones from the software process groups as they tend to be very time consuming and grueling. There are conflicting objectives in these audits. The auditors job is to identify the areas where you are not compliant and poke the holes. Your objective is to ensure that you show whatever you do is process compliant and complete.

When I was filling up my application for the PMP exam, there was a mention of potential audit. But I couldn't find a whole lot of information about the same on the site. The initial imageries were a bit worrying. But the fact is that, it not!

As long as you are truthful and thorough, you need not worry about the audit.

What to do for the same ?

1. Document the hours spent on the various areas of the various projects to be as accurate as possible. If you have the earlier project plans, like I do, you may refer to them for the exact numbers.
   
2. Be truthful and fill it to the best of your knowledge
3. Maintain contacts with the project owners and inform them that you are intending to appear for the PMP examination, so that they are not caught by surprise, when they are contacted by the Project Management Institute

PMI audits about 10% of the applications. PMI audit, as I heard from my friend, whose application got audited is not grueling at all. It was a simple verification of the facts mentioned in the application, from the project owners.

Wishing you all the best in either case :-)

Getting ready for a PM role ?

I've seen this happen time and again in the IT field.

A competent technical person (Software Engineer) or a functional person (Business Analyst) are promoted from the job that they are very good at, to the

Dilbert Principle keeps getting them in trouble, they will continue to promote competent technical or functional managers out of the role they are good at, and put them in charge of managing the team, managing the scope, and managing the operating schedule.

These PM activities have everything to do with running a project successfully, but nothing to do about the technology being used or the requirements that is being delivered.

It's just a matter of chance that a high performing individual succeeds in the PM role, as the skills required are very different. If the company takes its time to groom the individual to learn the various aspects of the project management or mentors the individual over a period of time, the high performing individual becomes a coin tossed in the air.

It is the best to leave the Project Management to the PMPs.

In my case, I am greatful to my company, as I had a mentor before I took on the project management completely and they sponsored my PMP training and certification well ahead of me taking up full-fledged project management all by myself.

This was advantageous in two ways.
1. I learnt the right ways of managing the various aspects of the project management
2. I didn't have any wrong ways of handling the project management situations to unlearn

Is the PMP Certification sufficient ?

"Is the PMP Certification sufficient to be a successful PM ?"
"Is the PMP Certification sufficient to get a job as a PM?"

These questions are like asking

"Is the course completion certificate from Alliance française, good enough to survive in France ?"

Alliance française, provides a structured method to learn French. It is up to the individual to learn the language and develop the ability to speak them. Better you utilize the same, better you will be your time in France.

So is the whole exercise of getting PMP certified. This provides an excellent opportunity to
1. Learn the broad framework of project management as suggested by the Project Management Body of Knowledge
2. Unlearn some of the wrong approaches that you might have been using in your role as a Project Manager
3. Develop a deep understanding of the concepts and the learning objectives in each of the project management areas

Hope this answers the question!

Training - Astrowix

I took the training conducted by "Astrowix". Though this company has base only in couple of places, they conduct training across multiple locations in India.

People in the hub of silicon valley can utilize these from the following locations

CALIFORNIA

39510 Suite 290. Paseo Padre Parkway,Fremont, CA - 94538 USA

Noida
A-53/54 Sector 16, NOIDA - 201 301, UP, India
TEL : +91 (120) 431 5760
FAX : +91 (120) 431 5766

BANGALORE

484, 25th Main, 2nd Cross, 2nd Stage BTM Layout Bangalore 560076, INDIA
TEL : +91 (80) 5120 1679 Email : info@astrowix.com

Whizlabs.com also provides a 100% money back guarantee