Due to the popular demand and valuable feedback from you, PMChamp brings you an intense Online PMP Training workshop, which is aligned with and structured according to the newly updated 2011 PMP Exam Format (after 31-August-2011).

What is PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop?

The PMChamp Exam Prep Coaching Workshop is structured and comprehensive online training program for preparing for the PMP Exam. It is full of tips, tricks, mock exam questions.

The aim of PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop is to prepare the project managers aspiring to get the PMP Certification, quickly, easily, and without hassles, so that you can pass the exam quickly.

Learn Why you should join the PMP Exam Prep Coaching Program?

Hurry! It’s time for you to get certified. Book your Online PMP Exam Coaching Program today!
For Inquiries call (65) 9877 3485, or email pmchamp@pmchamp.com

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]]> http://www.intellisoft.com.sg/pmp/online-pmp-exam-coaching-for-the-2011-exam-starts-every-monday/feed/ http://www.intellisoft.com.sg/pmp/pmp-exam-preparation-things-to-note/ http://www.intellisoft.com.sg/pmp/pmp-exam-preparation-things-to-note/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:32:19 +0000 admin http://www.intellisoft.com.sg/pmp/?p=166

Thinking of gaining the PMP Certification to boost your career as a Project Manager?

Here are some key information regarding the PMP Examination, which will assist you in your Preparation.

1. Know more about PMI and What is the PMP Exam all about. The PMP exam is quite different from other exams. Although it is a multiple choice question paper, it is quite tough.

2. You need to have atleast 3 years experience as a project leader or project manager. Make sure you have the required Education, Experience and Training. Check out the Eligibility Criteria for Taking the PMP Exam here.

3. You can also take this PMP training online. However, it is best to attend a Classroom training in your city. Check out a comprehensive PMP Training Directory at PMChamp.com.

At Intellisoft Systems in Singapore, we offer Weekdays & Weekend PMP Exam Preparation Workshops that span a total of 5 days, and provide you with a certificate for 35 Contact Hours. This certificate is a requirement to get your formal Project Management Training.

4. You need to have a complete PMP Study Plan. Study a couple hours every day for the next 4-6 weeks at a minimum to prepare for the PMP Exam. You can create a Study Plan for your PMP Studies, with some help here.

With a disciplined approach and perseverance, you can prepare for the PMP Exam easily.

5. There are many PMP Exam Preparation books out there in the market. But not all of them are suitable or updated to the latest edition. Get a list of Recommended PMP Preparation Books for preparing properly, based on the Best Books, which are latest, and updated with the changed questions.

Do note that the PMP Exam is changing from August 30, 2011.

6. The only way to know your readiness for the PMP Exam is to take a mock test. If you are able to score 85% marks or above, then you are considered ready to take the exam. But if you are not getting a high score, you might have to study harder, and then take another test.

As you know, reading about project management is a dry subject. So the only way to learn is to read, and then do some mock PMP Exam questions and test your readiness for the exam.

There are many mock tests available in the market. Most are online tests that you can take anywhere. Check out some good Mock PMP Tests here.

7. Although the PMP exam is from PMI, the actual exam is conducted at Prometric. Once your application is approved, and you have made the payment, you can schedule the PMP Exam at any Prometric centre, through their website.

And if you have any questions regarding PMP, you can use some of the Best PMP Exam Prep Forums. They are manned by PMPs and you can get answers quickly.

I hope these tips and advice will help you to better prepare for your PMP Exam. If you have any questions regarding your experience, qualifications, or Study Plan, feel free to write to me.

If you happen to be in SIngapore, you can actually attend a PMP Training in Singapore and meet me at the same time. Check the latest Training Schedule on the Intellisoft Home Page.

All the Best in your PMP Exam Preparation!

Cheers,
Vinai, PMP

Best Resource for Preparing for the PMP Exam – Both Free and Paid Resources

Prepare for the PMP Exam – One Hour a Day only – Join PMChamp PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop.

To gain the PMP Credential, you need to make sure that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by PMI, which includes professional experience, formal project management training, and academic qualifications.

We list here the detailed information to check and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for sitting in the PMP exam conducted by PMI, and earn your PMP certification credential.

Professional Experience Requirement for PMP Exam
For Professional Experience required by PMI, it must be only from the last 8 years, and not earlier. So if you have been managing projects for the last 10 or 15 or ever 20+ years, you can’t document or display all that years of experience.

PMI is only interested in the work you have done in the past 8 years.

During the past 8 years, you must have a minimum of 3 years of unique, non-overlapping project management experience, and in these 3 years, you must have worked at least 4500 hours on leading and directing project tasks.

This 3 years / 4500 hours requirement is for degree holders.

If you are a Diploma holder, then you need to show at least 7500 hours in the past 5 years – leading and directing project tasks.

Academic Qualifications for PMP Exam
At least a Four Year Degree Holder, or a High School Diploma holder can apply for the PMP Exam.

Project Management Education
You also need to have at least 35 contact hours of formal training on Project Management. Most PMP Exam Prep workshops conducted by training institutes serve this purpose. They mostly provide a 4 day or a 5 day training, during which they cover the PMP Exam preparation tips, and topics as per the PMBOK Guide, published by PMI.

At the end, you get the 35 contact hours certificate, and you have had a great opportunity to learn formal project management, and this training helps you identify the gaps in your knowledge, and prepares you for the PMP Exam.

Of course, one of the best resources for getting more information about the PMP Eligibility criteria is the PMP Handbook published by PMI.

Tips for Filling Up Your PMP Application Form
The most important thing about documenting your experience is that it must be non-overlapping.

I have had students from some large banks, who regularly say that they are working on 2 critical projects, both at the same time. They fill their PMP exam application with such projects, showing at least 10-15 hours of project time spent, per day.

Such application catch the eye of PMI, and almost each of these application have been selected for Audit by the PMI.

To reduce the chances of an audit of your PMP Exam application by PMI, only document one project at a time, irrespective of the number of projects you may be working on. Further, only document 6-7 hours of time on each day. Do not show 10 or 12 hours. This is a hard lesson learned from grooming hundreds of students for the PMP Exam, and helping them to pass the exam in their first attempt.

The PMP Application Process
The application has to be filled online. Go to the PMI website, and create a login id and password for yourself. The entire application has to be filled online - documenting your educational qualifications, the Project management experience, and the Project management Training… all in detail.

PMI usually approved or rejects applications within 1 week. Once your application is approved, you can proceed to pay and book your exam date.Payment is done online through a credit card. The current exam fee is USD555 for non PMI members, and USD405 for PMI members.

You may wish to take up the PMI membership, which will set you back by another USD139. Together with the discount for the exam, you save $11. This is because PMI wishes to encourage you to take up the PMI membership, and enjoy the benefits that come with it.

As soon as you pay, you will be notified if your application has been selected for a  random Audit. Do not panic if your application is audited. Just print out the Audit Package from the link sent to you, and go to the project sponsors/clients/HR etc. whose details you had filled up in your application form. Ask them to verify your project experience, and then send these signed audit forms back to PMI in the USA, by snail mail post.

It may take about a month to clear the audit. Once done, you can then use the authorization code given to you by PMI. This code will allow you to go to the Prometric website, and book your exam date.

However do not rush to book the first available date for the PMP exam. Take your time, and take a date at least 6-8 weeks in the future. This will give you enough time to study for the PMP exam.

If you have any questions about your exam eligibility, you can post them on the PMP Forum, and it will be answered by our PMP experts or me personally. See you soon with your PMP credential.

Best Resource for Preparing for the PMP Exam – Both Free and Paid Resources

Prepare for the PMP Exam – One Hour a Day only – Join PMChamp PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop.

Although a great reference on Project management, the PMBOK Guide does not provide you with enough material to prepare for the PMP Exam. It does not tell you about the kind of questions that make up the exam, and it does not tell you how to go about planning your studies, preparing for the exam, and what to focus on. It is just theory, plain and simple, and boring.

Many even go to great lengths to call the PMBOK a potent sleeping pill. That’s it. No more to be said. And that’s the reason many good books have been written on the subject of How to Prepare for the PMP exam, and how to passing the PMP exam in your first attempt. Here are some of the best books & Resources available

PMP Exam Preparation Books:

PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy
This thick book of over 600 pages is in its 6th edition, and is updated for the fourth edition of PMBOK in 2009.  Published by Rita herself through RMC Publications, this book is a must read for you.

Best Resource for Preparing for the PMP Exam – Both Free and Paid Resources

Prepare for the PMP Exam – One Hour a Day only – Join PMChamp PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop.

PMP is one of the best professional credential in the field of Project Management. PMP certification has grown in prominence over the last decade and has become a sought-after credential, according to the Project Management Institute or PMI.

The Project Management Guidelines, Methodologies, tools and techniques, and the entire framework of 9 knowledge areas, 5 process groups, and the entire 42 processes  provide you with a more holistic view of project management, enriching your knowledge.

Just by attending a PMP Exam Prep coaching seminar, and studying for the exam will make you a better project manager – as you will learn beyond what you need for your day to day project management.

Increased Earnings: The average salary for project management professionals in the USA is $101,505, according to the PMI Project Management Salary Survey-Fourth Edition. Managers who hold the PMP certification also often make more money than non-certified project managers. This is true for over 23 countries I have visited… for conducting PMP Exam Preparation workshops.

Growth in Career Prospects: The PMP certification program maintains ISO 9001 and other accreditions like the 17024 accreditation. This internationally recognized accreditation is recognized by the global business community and often leads to better career opportunities to someone who is PMP certified.

Attain your PMP certification, and add value to your CV.  You can show to prospective employers how serious you are for your career.

Enhance Your Marketability: The PMP certification enhances your professional marketability in the field of Project Management. Future employers will often choose individuals with a PMP certification over other non-qualified project managers, because of the reduced risk the PMP certification affords the employers.

The PMP certification also helps to bolster resumes by legitimatizing the included experiences of a project manager.

Improved Project Management Skills: You must undergo rigorous preparation to get your PMP Certification.  This process includes a significant amount of coursework ( 35 hours minimum) and study to qualify for and pass the PMP exam. Project managers often experience improved skills and knowledge while preparing to sit for the PMP exam based on the hours of coursework and study.

Apart from being a credential, while studying for the exam, you learn that there are other, better ways to managing projects, which are different than what you practice in your day to day project management.

Professional Validation of Your Experience & Competence: The PMP certification offers validation for professional accomplishments. PMI certifies that an individual has achieved the necessary years of experience and knowledge in order to be granted PMP status.

Thus, having the certification is a quick way to enter new countries, new markets, and new industries, because your basic qualifications, and your expertise and competence in the field of project management is established already.

The benefits of PMP Certification are immense! Not only will you become a more complete person, you will become a better project manager. Do not delay! Go ahead and get your PMP Certification quickly.

Cheers,
Vinai Prakash, PMP

Best Resource for Preparing for the PMP Exam – Both Free and Paid Resources

Prepare for the PMP Exam – One Hour a Day only – Join PMChamp PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop.

There is no negative marking, so you should attempt each and every question, even if you have to guess.

Of these 200 questions, only 175 are testable. This means that there are 25 “pre-test” questions, which are only there to test the suitability of the exam question for future exam takers.

Whether you get these 25 right or wrong will not matter. Unfortunately you do not know where are these 25 questions among the 200… they are spread all over the place.

So it effect there are only 175 questions that matter.

Upto 2005, PMI used to publish the passing rates in the PMP Handbook. It used to be 61%. But now PMI does not publish the passing mark any longer.

So to be safe, you need to get a minimum of 61% or more of the 175 questions correct. This comes to 107 questions. And since you don’t know about the 25 un-testable questions, you’d better get these right too. So you need to have atleast 132 questions correct of the total 200 questions in the PMP exam.

However, most of the project managers who have recently passed the PMP exam in 2009 or 2010 think that the exam is quite tough. Even though they were scoring high in the Rita’s mock PMP exam prep tests - getting as high as 85 or 90%, but could not clear the PMP exam in their first attempt. Then they studied for some more time, took more tests, and took the exam aiming to secure a much higher percentage of marks.

This leads me to believe that the PMP exam passing score could be a rung higher, and you must not bank upon the 61% rate. Aim to go for 75% or higher to ensure success in the PMP exam. Do as many mock tests as possible.

You can get PMP Exam Prep Books and Testing Software.

PMP Exam Prep Workshop in Singapore
If you would like to attend the Intellisoft PMP Exam Prep  Workshop in the beautiful and picturesque city of Singapore, do let us know. We offer weekdays and weekend classes for PMP exam preparation in Singapore, and have a tremendous success rate!

Aim to Pass the PMP exam in your first attempt, with the right guidance and the PMI perspective of thinking.

You can get some hot information about the PMP Exam here, and don’t forget to read the PMP Success Tip - How to Think Differently.

And let me know once you pass the exam. All the Best!

Cheers,
Vinai Prakash, PMP

One key thing to remember is that although the project management team may help to write the project charter, approval and funding are handled external to the project boundaries. This means that the funding, and go ahead for the project is given by someone external to the project. This could be the Management of the company who is authorizing the project for strategic reasons. These people are not involved in the day to day running of the project, but are the driving force behind the project.

Importance of the Project Charter
PMI gives a lot of significance to the Project Charter. In fact, one of the 42 process is named “Develop Project Charter” in the Initiating Process group / Integration Management Knowledge Area. This alone can tell you how significant is the project charter in the PMP exam.

The project charter will state the initial requirements to satisfy the stakeholder’s needs and expectations and also formally authorizes the project.

Unfortunately most real life project start without a project charter. In fact it is not uncommon for project managers to be completely unaware about what a project charter is.

I was working in a large MNC, and projects were often started when I was walking to the Gents with my boss, and he’d mention how he had met with the VP of some department yesterday and the problems they discussed, and that I was to go and review the problem areas, and fix them. This was the beginning of countless medium to large scaled project for a long time… and finally I started to dread these walks with my boss… If you happen to be in a similar boat where you’ve not see the lights of a project charter, best is to understand that there is a big gap in your knowledge and day to day project management practice, compared to PMI. If you do not study the project charter, you are in for a big surprise in the PMP exam.

How Long is a Project Charter?
A project charter can be as short as 1 page, and as long as 200 pages. Typically though it is only about 1-3 pages in length. Writing too much detail in early stages is difficult, as too much detail may not even be available. It is better to have this document at a summary level, and then keep on elaborating it in the coming time, once the project is authorized.

PMBOK Definition of Project Charter:
A document issued by the project initiator or sponsor that formally authorizes the existence of a project, and provides a project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.

This used to cause significant distress in previous versions of the PMBOK - students used to argue that a project manager could not write the charter because the project manager itself was appointed in the charter. Well, the fact is that the Sponsor or initiator may not have the necessary skills or time to develop the project charter. In the current version of PMBOK ( 4th Edition), it clearly says on page 74 that “a project sponsor or initiator will either create the project charter or delegate that duty to the project manager.”

Sample Questions on Project Charter:

1. A project manager is employed by a software company and is responsible for the creation of the implementation plan. One of the first things that the project manager for this project should do is to write a:

a. Work breakdown structure
b. Budget baseline
c. Project charter
d. Project plan

2. All the following are key characteristics of a project charter except:

a. It is a useful document to bid for a project
b. It formally authorizes a project or a phase
c. It provides authority to the project manager to begin applying resources to project activities.
d. Projects are authorized by someone external to the project at a level that is appropriate to funding the project that either creates the project charter or delegates that duty to the project manager.

3. Who issues the project charter?

a. The customer
b. The project manager
c. Any stakeholder
d. The performing organization’s higher management?

4. Which of the following things are not included in the project charter?

a. Budget summary
b. Project schedule
c. High level product requirements
d. The purpose of the project

The correct answers are
1. c - All the other three come after the project charter is written, approved and the project manager authorized to get started on the project.

2. a - A project charter is never used to bid for a project. A RFP (Request for Proposal) or a RFQ (request for quote) are used to solicit bids.

3. d - The performing organization’s management authorizes the project charter - not the customer project manager or any stakeholder.

4. b - The project schedule is developed during planning, which occurs after the project charter has been signed. High level summary milestones may still be included in the project charter, but this does not make it the project schedule.

Hope this helps you in solidifying your understanding of the Project charter, and the kind of questions come in the PMP exam. Do leave a comment if this information helps you in your PMP exam preparation. And if you still have any questions, you can post them on our PMP Preparation Forum

Cheers,
Vinai Prakash, PMP

Don’t believe me? - Just try out a few mock test papers, and you will realize that the answers you thought to be the most accurate isn’t correct most of the time. You are in for a big surprise if you continue studying for the exam by relying on your experience or your gut feel.

Here are some tips to make the right selection and think differently.

1. Choosing a Generic Answer versus a Hard Answer: Choices may be phrased in terms of “should”, “must”, “always”. For example, a project manager should “always” do the following, or “must” do the following. This is considered a hard answer.

In contrast, a soft answer will refer to best practice, but not refer to it as “must do” or “always do”. Keep in mind that project management is a soft skill - part art and part science. So there are many different ways to handle the same situation. If there are a 100 people in a room, you’ll probably get a 100 different answers to handle the same situation. In such a situation, how can you expect only 1 correct answer.

For example, let’s take this question

Q: What is correct about the Project Charter:

1. Choice A: The project charter must be signed by the project sponsor.
2. Choice B: The project charter must be signed by a manager external to the project
3. Choice C: The project charter should be signed by the customer.
4. Choice D: The project charter should be signed by a manager external to the project.

Notice subtle differences in the usage of “must” and “should”? Is it a must for the charter to be signed by the sponsor, or is it a best practice?

Most of the time, PMI is quite gray about such issues, never taking stands in terms of what you must do, or should do. The PMBOK guide will often indicate that it is up to the project manager to make the most appropriate decision based on the circumstances and situations of the project.

Thus, it would be best to select a soft answer - a best practice - a recommendation, rather than a rule. So in this case, which option will you select?

The correct answer is Choice D in this case.

2. Knowing the Right Order of Problem Solving: What happens when you encounter problems in your projects? Are you able to make a decision immediately, or do you try to avoid confronting the situation, cursing and wishing the problem would disappear somehow. Do you think that ignoring the problem for a while may cause it to repair itself, or maybe you think that problems are a nuisance, and you are not responsible for fighting or fixing them, even to the degree that such problems should be addressed by your boss or your customer, because they are responsible for creating them in the first place!

Well, if you are doing any of this, you are out of luck. The PMP exam can’t be passed with this kind of thinking. Begin to think differently.

To answer such a question, you first need to analyze it, and then understand the correct order of steps.

For example, assume that your customer just called you to add a big piece of additional functionality ( or scope change ) to the original specifications. This will add at least another month to your already tight time line. What would you do first?

1. Choice A: Inform your boss that this additional scope can not be done within the time line.
2. Choice B: Tell the customer that this additional scope can not be done within the time line.
3. Choice C: Meet with the team and discuss alternatives to accommodate the additional scope within the time line.
4. Choice D: This is the time to show that you are willing to go the extra mile, and win over the customer. Do your best to meet the time line with the added scope.

Read the choices carefully and think for a moment… What would you do in real life?

Remember that a Project Manager is proactive. You are supposed to find solutions to problems. Just informing about problems to the management, your boss or your customer is not the solution.

You have to brainstorm, think about the various tradeoffs that can be made, weigh the pros and cons of each situation, and evaluate them on the triple constraints of the project ( Scope, cost and time). Infact, there are more than the 3 triple constrainsts. You have to also look at the trade-offs on risk, customer satisfaction, quality, employees, the project team etc.

Without first doing a thorough evaluation, going to the boss, management or customer is a waste of time. You can be more effective and efficient if you apply the due diligence, do your homework, and then come out with solutions.

So irrespective of what you do in your real life project management, please think in the right way for getting the questions right for the PMP exam, and pass in your first attempt. You can also attend our PMP Exam Preparation Workshop on weekends in Singapore for more such tips on passing the PMP exam!

Cheers,
Vinai, PMP

A lot of people have asked me about the importance of obtaining the PMP certification.  Some asked if it is really required, and if it proves any point - given that they achieve real experience in executing projects in the real life, and learn from them.

Well, I must say that all my life I was selected for all the jobs I held in the corporate world based on my merit, my experience, my capabilities, and I didn’t bother about any certifications in the corporate world.

However I did notice that more and more companies were advertising for the PMP certification in their job ads, and upon further investigation, I found the PMP certification program offered by PMI to be quite interesting, challenging and tough by many accounts. My job did not require me to get a PMP certifacation, yet it seemd quite impressive.

Being the one to always take on challenges, I decided to take up this opportunity to get the certification, and I must say it opened my eyes to a new way of managing projects. Studying for it and taking the test was quite a task, and having done it, I would suggest that every experienced, current or aspiring project manager must get a PMP certification as it certainly gives you a new and much larger perspective on project management, as well as open quite a few new doors.

As I joined the PMI chapter in my city, I found a much larger community of like minded people with similar interests, and immediately my circle of interest, and influnce grew. I was getting invited to speak, and many people were seeking my advice on diverse topics.

This led to many speaking and writing opportunities, and with my articles getting published in local newspapers like the Straits Times, magazines like Today’s Manager from the Singapore Institute of Management,  I felt that I had a much higher credibility than before. Somehow, people accord a higher value to the views of a person who is a published author.

Well, so much for that.  However, the fact remains that all this started with my taking up the challange, studying and achieving the PMP certification.

Who knows what doors are waiting for you to open. Go ahead, give it a try, take up the challenge, perform the journey and I am sure you will find immense benefit, and new things will appear in your life.  Doors can only open if you knock on doors. Try, and you shall succeed. A PMP certification is certaining a great skill in your career managing projects.

Do let me know what you feel about the importance of getting or becoming a PMP…

Cheers,
Vinai Prakash, PMP

Best Resource for Preparing for the PMP Exam – Both Free and Paid Resources

Prepare for the PMP Exam – One Hour a Day only – Join PMChamp PMP Exam Prep Coaching Workshop.

1. The PMP exam comprises of 200 questions. You need to score atleast 61% to clear the exam. Doesn’t look too difficult, right?

2. There are about 25 questions that do not count towards your passing score. They are just there for review of PMI, to consider them for future exams.

3. Many questions will contain a lot of information which is of no use. It has to be ignored. However, many students get caught trying to assimilate all this information, and get lost. Our PMP Exam preparation training program will help you to identify such questions, among other tips and tricks for attempting the exam.

4. Once your application for the exam is approved, you have one year to pass the exam. We will provide you with assistance and important points to consider while filling up your exam application.

5. Conceptual Understanding - There are many questions that require you to apply concepts, and can’t be solved by using memorization alone.

6. Double-Reverse Logic questions - A popular technique of test designers, these types of questions ask about a topic using reverse or double-reverse logic. Generally, you need to select the exception from the four possible options.

Many more of such exam tips, practical advice, and even experiences of previous successful PMP exam takers (now PMPs) are shared with you, to help you prepare better. We continue to strive to get our students to clear the PMP in their First attempt!

Cheers,
Vinai Prakash