12 Lessons Learnt from my PMP Certification

Twelve Lessons Learned from my PMP Certification.

Latyr Jean-Luc FAYE, PMP March 2013.

01. Treat it as a ProjectInitiateMake sure you know why you are envisioning to enrolled to PMP certification.Manage your stakeholders. PlanStay focus: do not over-estimate activities nor stretch the schedule over a long period of time.Execute Register with Project Management Institute (PMI).Study & Take the exam.Monitor & ControlSelf-evaluate progress made using resources available and mock exams.CloseWhatever your performance, assess and gather lessons learned.Once successful, move to operations or a new project to maintain your credentials.

02. People ManagementIn every Project, THE Project Manager makes the difference.Be motivated, be focused, be pro-active.PMP is a professional certification that requires a lot of personal involvement.Make sure you have identified all stakeholders and make them participate to the joint-venture.Trust:need full support from spouse and kids. This is critical.need also, to a broader extend, the support from friends and colleagues.

The P in PM is as much about 'people management' as it is about 'project management'. Cornelius Fichtner

Colleagues, coworkers, team members, direct reports, bossHuman Psychology is very important.3

03. PMBOK, your new best friendGet an up-to-date copy of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). It provides the mindset underlying PMI's concepts of Project Management.The PMBOK must be read thoroughly:by Knowledge Areas in a sequence that processes may be applied from initiating to closing.Refer to Appendix F (summary) and Glossary (definitions) for better understanding.Read and adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics.The PMI Lexicon provides additional definitions.

Get an up-to-date copy of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).It is a living document. I have studied with version 4 and the current version is 5

Read and adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics. This is mandatory. It is a Policy.

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04. Broaden your knowledgeOther relevant reference materials is also required to broaden the scope of the concepts presented in PMIs PMBOK. The actual use of the formulasMaslow, HerzbergFixed Price Incentive Fees contract sharing ratiosetc.

I have used:PMP Exam Prep, Seventh Edition by Rita MulcahyTSI Ultimate PMP Exam Prep Guide by Wes Balakian and Timothy Bergmann

05. Go Online & MobileUse online materials (YouTube, podcasts, forums, LinkedIn) to increase your understanding of the PMBOK content.Use your smartphone and apps so you can study & practice anywhere at any time.I have been very pleased with Examojo for iOS. Go mobile is a Must.

Go Mobile is a Must. It is very convenient and thus important for regular practice.

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06. Brain Dump MagicNumerous new concepts, formulas and knowledge to acquire and remember for the exam.Create your own brain dump with all the formulas and topics you have trouble with.Practise creating it from memory.

07. Understanding, not Memorisation!Know all the processes.Be able to relate them to their knowledge areas & process groups.Understand the basic concepts and interactions among the processes.By reading a question you must be able to know where you are in the project (process, process group, Knowledge Area).Don't memorise all the ITTOs for all processes. You need to know the important ones.

08. Practise Practise PractiseGet an exam simulator (Examojo ), it provides an array of exams to practise.Practise Exam Questions over and over.Use wrong answers to focus and build your brain dump.Take advantage of the free exams on Internet to be well prepared for the exam.Know all the formulas and how to apply them.

Earned ValuePERT Weighted AverageCommunications channelsCritical Path Calculation (Forward and backward pass)Expected Monetary Value, Present Value, Net Present ValueIncentive fee contractsPoint of Total assumptionBreakeven analysisBenefit to cost ratio, payback periodetc.

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09. THE D Day: The ExamEnsure you carry appropriate identification documents and the appointment schedule notification.The exam is difficult. You can pass it if well prepared. This is the fact.Sitting for a 4 hour-long written exam is tiresome. Make sure you get there fresh and relax.Arrive on time (preferably 30 minutes in advance).Use the 15 mns tutorial to do your brain dump.Plan your breaks. It takes time to sign in and sign out.

This is not to scare you, it is a fact10

10. Define and follow a test strategyRemember all questions have the same notation.Do not spent more than one minute on a question. In doubt, mark it and move forward.Mark any questions with formulas and network diagrams.Do not let any questions unanswered (or blank). You have 25% chance to pick the correct answer.Stay focus even if you feel that you are going to fail.

11. Tips during the examAlways answer questions from PMI perspective.Always select the best answer when more than one is correct. Review all your answers/marked questions.Remember, dont leave any unanswered questions.Restraint from changing too many answers (I reviewed 150 questions and changed only one answer).Relax and breathe deeply for one minute on a regular basis (every x questions or y minutes).

12. After the examDo your lessons learned (pass or fail)If still not the case, become a member of PMI.

If fail, this is not the end of the world:Understand why. Apply corrective actions and plan for the next test.

If Pass:Update your Curriculum Vitae.Celebrate (with your stakeholders if possible).Start planning earning PDUs to keep your status.

ConclusionIndeed, it is not an easy exam although not difficult.Indeed, it requires a fair amount of preparation, yet it does not require to study fulltime.Indeed, it worth the effort as you will gain a lot:Personal Development (Procurement, HR, etc.)Professional Recognition (PMP)Increase self esteem (achievement)Language is a barrier that should also not be under-estimated for the non native English speaking people.Getting certified is the beginning of a process, if you want to maintain your status.

Useful ResourcesPMBOK Guide Fourth Edition (valid edition at the time of my exam)PMP Exam Prep, Seventh Edition by Rita MulcahyTSI Ultimate PMP Exam Prep Guide by Wes Balakian and Timothy BergmannHead First PMP, 2nd Edition by Jennifer Greene, Andrew StellmanThe PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try by Andy CrowePMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim HeldmanPMP Certification All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies by Cynthia Stackpole SnyderLocal PMI ChaptersExamojo LTS Suite (www.examojo.com)Cornelius Fichtner (www.cornelius-fichtner.com)Oliver Lehman (www.oliverlehmann.com)Rita Mulcahy PMP Fast TrackPMStudy (www.pmstudy.com)Simplilearn (www.simplilearn.com)PMZilla forum (http://pmzilla.com)Exam Central (www.examcentral.net)PMI eReads section: Practice Makes Perfect by John Estrella.Various LinkedIn Groups Physical Online

Thank You For Your Participation

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16This brings us to the end of this presentation, we hope you have found the session useful. If you have any questions on todays session then you can contact either Jean Luc or myself via the details shown on this slide.GXS in Automotive 2009