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Coming up with PMP exam study plan is a tough task for many, considering the investment as well. What’s the solution? Refer to that of successful PMP students!

After getting enamored by the Project Management subject in his bachelor degree in Science, Hamza Madany decided to pursue a career in Information Technology. During his study days itself most of his lecturers suggested to take up PMP certification after getting relevant experience.

And he reached his PMP goal earlier this month when he successfully passed his exam.

In this article Hamza shares the ups and downs of his PMP prep journey, and some of the crucial insights he gained along the way. His meticulous and smart prep strategy is worth emulating. Hope this would help in your own preparation as well.

The PMP trigger!

After successful completion my degree in started my career in a bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka. While the suggestions of my professors was on the back of my mind, suggestions from my colleagues only went to support my decision to take up PMP Exam.

Now that I have PMP under my belt, I hope it will be a highlight in my project manager career, and help me advance it.

Study resources

I had to prepare a comfortable PMP exam study plan. First thing I did was to google for PMP exam study resources.

It threw up so many results that soon I began feeling a sense of overwhelm. I didn’t know where to stand.

I figured that some thorough research was in order, and decided to take up time figuring out the study resources that support my way of studying.

It was a foregone conclusion that I needed something that helps me study while I’m traveling or commuting, and study during short breaks. This would help me manage most out of my time and help make small steps of progress on a daily basis.

Here are the resources I ended up choosing for myself. My suggestion is for you to take time to research and choose the study resources that suit your unique circumstances and needs.

Also read: Leverage the PMP exam experience of over 160+ PMP students from across the globe.

Yes, it was primarily just PMBOK. [continue reading…]

Sai Katta works as an Analyst with Dell as Analyst. He got PMP certified recently and I requested if he could share his PMP test prep strategies. And here it is.

When not working or surfing project management blogs, Sai travels and spends time watching TED talks & movies.

-Shiv Shenoy, PMP

Sai, what triggered (event/experience) your desire to take up PMP test?

Many, but mainly a TED talk about dynamic changes in technology industry where the speaker highlighted a study by World Economic Forum about skills/work that will be obsolete or automated by 2020.

That talk triggered the need to re-evaluate my skillset and see where I’d stand in next 3-4 years.

Now that you certified, how do you see PMP impacting your work?

I’d say I’m going to plan activities more stringently and confidently now and “do the only work required” and avoid scope creep in real life and projects.

This accomplishment and knowledge gave me a whole new perspective about looking at things in life and work.

What PMP test prep study resources did you consider, and eventually used for the exam preparation?

I started and stayed with Joseph Philip’s PMP course throughout.

Also, I referred Head First book initially and realized it’s good for beginners but not to pass the PMP. I also read Scott Payne’s book.

However, I relied heavily on Rita Mulcahy and PMBOK guide.

Once I read these books, I used PrepCast simulator to test my knowledge and of course Shiv’s daily questions in LinkedIn.

To be honest I’d say Joseph’s course, Rita’s book, Shiv’s daily LinkedIn questions, and PrepCast simulator will do the magic.

If I can go back in time, I’d use only these resources to prepare. Throwing in more study resources only results in confusion.

How did you approach the exam and what was your study plan?

[continue reading…]

Joshua Render is an experienced project manager and business analyst. When he passed his PMP exam recently I requested him to share his PMP fast track strategy and other tips. He readily agreed and in this interview he shares his experience and study insights of preparing for the PMP exam.

Josh has been kind enough to share his study notes. Scroll down to find the link to his study guides.

Josh did his graduate work at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and he now resides in Northern New York State with his wife and two daughters. He has certifications in Agile, Scrum, DSDM, Kanban, Lean Six Sigma, and ITIL.

Here’s Josh for you..

What triggered (event/experience) your desire to take up PMP exam?

A few years ago I really wanted nothing to do with certifications. I thought of them as pointless wastes of money. I never foresaw myself as a PMP. I never desired the certification.

In 2017 I decided to go ahead and try to get an ITIL certification. I began to realize I have to compete with everyone out there. While showing you can do the job is still more important, you have to make it past recruiters and catch the eye of the people who do the hiring. Certifications can help do that.

During my ITIL journey, I realized just how much I learned and how much I enjoyed passing the test. Aiming towards the certification focused my learning path more.

I wasn’t randomly taking courses in things that interested me at the moment, I was aiming towards a goal. It created a more structured approach to my studies.

So after my ITIL exam, I spent 2018 studying for other certifications. I became a Green Belt, got the PMI-ACP, the PSM, PSPO, and several others. At the end of last year, I was seriously considering the PMP. [continue reading…]

In the previous post of this series we looked at Data Gathering Techniques used across all the processes we need to study for PMP exam.

What do you do once you gather data?

You analyze them in a specific context and turn into Information.

In this article let us look at the next group, Data Analysis techniques.

Group 2A : Data Analysis techniques

Data analysis tools give perspective to the raw project data, which helps the project manager make decisions on the project.

There are 27 data analysis techniques we need to study for the PMP exam, and of course to manage our projects better. Given the number of techniques we will split this article into two posts.

In this post we shall look at these important Data Analysis techniques –

• Alternatives analysis
• Assessment of other risk parameters
• Assumption and constraint analysis
• Cost of Quality (CoQ)
• Cost-benefit analysis (CBA)
• Decision tree analysis
• Document analysis
• Earned value analysis (EVA)
• Influence diagrams
• Iteration burndown chart
• Make-or-buy analysis
• Performance reviews
• Process analysis

Some of these are easy to perform and some are difficult to master.

However from the exam perspective, first – you need to understand each of these techniques. Second – you need to understand which process uses them so you get the context.

By knowing the first, you will be able to make more sense when you study it in the context of the process that it appears in.

This prepares you to answer ITTO based questions easily.

And this series of articles helps you do both.

Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started! [continue reading…]

Achintya Kumar is an MBA with IT/Systems specialization with 10+ years in IT industry. He is an expert in the field of Project Management, Requirements Management, Business Analysis and Presales in consulting engagements. In this article he shares the exact blueprint of his study that enabled him to score Above Target in all 5 domains of his Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.

What event/experience triggered you to take up PMP?

I always wanted to have PMP after my name and be more effective project manager. With growing experience it only became a natural step for me to take up PMP exam.

My preparation for the exam was on and off but around September I began to measure what is needed to ace the PMP exam seriously, but then unfortunately I had to discontinue.

It all became a reality recently. After completing the feedback form at the end of the PMP exam, I saw the CONGRATULATIONS message displayed on the computer screen.

I passed with Above-Target in all the 5 domains. It was an unforgettable moment.

What were your study resources ?

I referred multiple resources for my Project Management Professional exam and they include the following: [continue reading…]