One of the most coveted of them all is the PMP® certification. But what is PMP® certification and why is it a big deal for some organizations seeking qualified applicants to add in their department? With so many PMI Certifications, you need to get your way around them to know exactly what type of certification you want to obtain and why you want to apply in the first place.

What Is PMP® Certification ?

Project Management Professional ( PMP )® certification is a widely-recognized certification for project managers and it is known around the industry. It is recognized around the globe so every organization is aware of the whole idea of PMP® certification.

What is PMP® certification when we talk about project management entirely? First off, it boosts the salary rate. Employees who obtain such certification also has other advantages such as improvements in their skills, an opportunity to have their skills and expertise to be recognized by PMI®, and expansion of market scope. A one-third of managers have PMP® certification and your manager is one of them. Chances are your projects are completed in a timely manner as well as you get to save resources in the long run.

There may be numerous certifications out there that everyone can avail, but what makes PMP® different from the rest? PMP® covers a more general aspect of project management. From the basics, down to the advanced knowledge obtaining a PMP®, certification doesn’t just fall into one specific spectrum. Having a PMP® certification means you have the opportunity to assess potential employees and moving up to a higher position will be a walk in the park.

Plus, employers are attracted by an applicant whose resume boasts of a PMP® certification. It is a concrete evidence that he or she has sufficient experience and knowledge in the world of project management. PMP® certified applicants have more advantage in the hiring process—it’s also a sigh of relief for the employers since they don’t need to train someone who’s already well-versed in this area.

Some people are asking if you need to be a project manager in order to be qualified for a PMP® certification. This is more about tasks contribution or leading a project rather than a designation proclaiming, “Hey, I’m a project manager, I oversee things here.” So the answer to that is, no. Anyone can be PMP® certified, provided that the tasks they executed have contributed to project management. This means the applicant has to lead a team in creating or operating a project or his or her outputs have been instrumental to the project’ success.

And that’s where experience requirements come in:

• The PMI requires an applicant to have 3 years of project management experience (4,500 hours leading projects) for those who have a 4-year degree and 5 years of experience in the same field (7,500 hours leading projects) for those who have a highschool diploma.
• Then there’s a 35-hour education in project management.

These experiences and the accompanying education must be documented and filled out in the PMP® certification application to determine if you are qualified for the exam.

What Is PMP® Certification When It Comes to its Benefits?

So you wonder, “what is PMP® certification at the end of the day? Is it worth it?” There are more benefits a person can attain once he or she becomes certified. Sure, it means that a boost in one’s career and every certification in the PMI roster share that advantage. Some of these PMP® benefits are:

• The capability to handle more complex and challenging projects
• Gives you more edge for applying to a higher position in the corporate ladder
• An opportunity to train new employees or team members that need skill development and enhancement
• Networking opportunity
• An experience that is significant in your career and future endeavors in the field of project management.
• Additional knowledge in project management, especially the advanced know-hows.
• Gives you more opportunities to explore innovative ideas for project creation, management, as well as strategies.
• Makes you more effective in leading and managing the team.

The advantages can be endless once you have acquired a PMP® certification, yet keep in mind that there is another side of the coin—that is requirements to fulfill even if you already obtained your certificate.

It can be frustrating to run around fulfilling these requirements and achieving what needs to be done, but no one says that journeys are meant to be taken with zero trial.

PMP and PMI are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post What is PMP® Certification and Why You Should Apply? appeared first on Management Square.

The sixth and last article will show you an overview of the following practice questions and simulators for the PMP® exam. Below are some of the samples to help you how to prepare for the PMP® exam.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: Being Ready

Keep in mind that PMI doesn’t specify the passing score of the PMP® exam. This makes it more nerve-wracking so studying and reviewing is essential before embarking on a PMP® exam.

So how to determine if you’re ready? How to prepare for the PMP® certification exam if you are thinking twice of your readiness? Even when you finished answering the sample questions of the mock PMP® exam, how do you determine if you are fully prepared? Think about the 85% rule; in other words, you need to get at least a score of 85% in the sample questions. If you consistently get that score, then it means you are ready to take the PMP® exam.

Sample and Mock Questions

So you have successfully created your own practice tests during your PMP® exam review but it doesn’t mean that you get the exact same questions in the actual PMP® exam. Remember that PMP® exam is not your usual simplified type of tests; it’s a 4-hour session with 200 multiple questions and your memorization skills might seem less of a hero in this situation. The questions within these multiple exams include short scenario-based questions, questions based on your knowledge and formula-based questions, as well as interpretive questions. Answer wisely, since each answer has their corresponding consequences and rewards.

Scenario-based questions:

Some of the questions in this field tend to be long, so make sure that you are reading the questions and all the answers properly. You also need to comprehend them clearly to choose the most significant and relevant answer. It’s all about eliminating irrelevant answer and coming to an ultimate answer.

Formula-based questions:

When we hear formula, we automatically think that it involves crunching numbers and other mathematical data—it’s actually more than that. There 49 PMP® formulas you need to learn and know, from probability to depreciation. This type of question is not just being knowledgeable with the formula—you need to perform the calculations as well.

Knowledge-based questions:

This is the part of the PMP® exam where you start to brush up your knowledge with the PMBoK® Guide. This field contains questions in regards to PMBoK® Guide processes and identification of charts, graphs or diagrams such as the Pareto chart.

Interpretational questions:

This PMP® exam question tests your ability to conclude a question or situation.

Specific Technique questions:

The test will provide you a series of diagrams and from there you have to give a component that corresponds the said diagram.

There are more available PMP® exam sample questions, though you have to tread carefully since some of these questions are too complicated and might overwhelm what you have covered during your PMP® exam review.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam by Immersing Yourself with the PMP® Simulators

PMP® Exam Simulators

Besides the mock exam questions, how to prepare for the PMP® exam can also be done through PMP® exam simulators. This means subjecting yourself to the same environment of an actual PMP® exam.

You can find these simulators online, but be wary of the issues of credibility. When you buy one, make sure they have the following:

1. A simulator that won’t put a hole in your wallet or bank account

No one is that keen to spend on a product which price goes through the roof—on the other hand, affordable doesn’t always guarantee a quality product. Do your own survey and compare products, reviews, and prices.

2. Verify that your simulator is based on the PMBoK® Guide

Is your online simulator legible as what they claim to be? Ensure that the following questions and hints in your online PMP®exam simulator are similar or related to the PMBoK® Guide.

3. Ask the right questions

The most important question to ask when you are buying a simulator is if it’s written or developed by certified PMP®s and if the questions are aligned with the guide. The PMI actually seeks volunteer project managers to write and review the exam questions.

4. Look for an online PMP® exam simulator that lets you review the questions

This will help you focus on the key parts of the PMP exam such as Knowledge Areas and Process Groups found in the PMBoK® Guide. Ensure that you can access the simulator’s exam for 60 days in order to double review everything.

5. Opt for a simulator that is tendered PMI Registered Education Providers (REP)

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Ensure that the product you’re after has the REP’s seal of approval to ensure you are using is comprehensive and credible.

So what about you? What do you do to prepare for the PMP® exam? Now that you have compiled everything you need to take the PMP® exam, double check them so you won’t end up getting lost. Good luck!

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: Practice Questions and Exams (Part 6) appeared first on Management Square.

The fifth part of the six-series PMP® exam preparation article covers how to prepare for the PMP® exam using certain guidelines or tips and tricks to help you be less stressed with the process of PMP® exam preparation. Gone are the days of cramming studies—leave those styles to high school and college kids.

Tips and Tricks : How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam In Just Four Easy Steps ?

If you are the type of person who tends to get to what he or she studied, don’t fret studying is not all about memorizing, but rather understanding things by heart. Understanding the information will embed more into your memory rather than going back and forth with the terminologies.

Some exam takers create their own keywords, key phrases or set acronyms that will help them understand the information better. However, not everyone is well-versed with this particular technique.

There is always a basic methodology and PMP® exams have one too, especially when it comes on an applicant way of preparation. And these methods are in a form of steps that will help you study efficiently without the cramping and headache.

Here are the following simple steps on how to prepare for the PMP® exam.

Step 1: Map it Out

Create a roadmap of what you are about to tackle before you start studying. Think of it as tracking a project—you have to run checks and reviews with your materials as well as information provided by your PMBoK® Guide and other study resources. This will make the following information more organized.

Step 2: Think About Your Motivation

That knowledge won’t go into your head and your PMP® exam preparation will simply be just a dust in the wind if you are not motivated enough to take the PMP® certification. Ask yourself what drives you to take this PMP® exam and what it really means to you and your career. Pinpointing a specific reason for taking the PMP® exam will help you see that reward clearly.

Step 3: Read and Inquire

Be an active reader by coming up with your own set of questions. Test yourself by plucking out information from your reading materials and create PMP® exam-related questions out from it. Keep reading. Enrich your mind with the constant flow of information.

Step 4: Learn to Break Down Your Timetable

Say you only have 6 hours to devote to your studies, but there are too many resources to cover and too many workshops to attend. Break these hours into smaller hours. For example, devote 3 hours with one reading material and 2 hours of the other, and so on. Managing your time as this point is essential since you need to acquire all the learning and review you need in preparation for the PMP® exam.

Tips and Tricks : How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam Via the PMBoK® Guide

So how to prepare for the PMP® exam when you have a lot of resources and almost pressed for time to study your PMBoK® Guide? The guide shouldn’t be intimidating—it should be an efficient assistant in your studies while preparing for your PMP® exam. However, some applicants are overwhelmed with the information overload so the get lost in the sea of time pressure.

Studying the PMBoK® Guide doesn’t have feel like climbing Mt. Everest. First off, study the guide every week. Study the same topic in your other resources. They might not be exactly the same, but at least you get to see all the angles from a different point of view. This will sharpen your comprehension skills.

Don’t underestimate the power of reading and understanding. If you continuously read the guide with intent concentration, you will likely absorb a lot of information. Rather than opting for memorization, you will likely remember what you’ve read while in the middle of the PMP® exam. Keep in mind that you also need to study the dynamics and disciplines of the PMBoK® Guide. This is very important since it will likely come out in the PMP® exam.

Don’t forget to track your progress so you won’t end up studying the same topic all over again.

Understanding is one of the main factors when studying for a PMP® exam. It doesn’t mean understanding the terminologies, but the significant components of PMP® and PMBoK® Guide as a whole. The next article (and the last one) will help you prepare for the PMP® exam, this time with sample or practice questions.

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: Tips and Tricks for Studying (Part 5) appeared first on Management Square.

How to Prepare for The PMP® Exam—Keep In Mind of the Time

Study Materials | What about Time

The PMP® exam consists of 200-multiple choice questions with a duration of four hours. The PMP® exam covers PMI’s aspects as well as the PMBoK® Guide. No one says that passing the PMP® exam is easy, and studying it isn’t a walk in the park as well. You cannot expect to get all the learning overnight. You have to work for it.

Apart from its difficulty level, there’s also the concern with time. You need to spend a lot of hours studying and even taking the PMP® exam which can make the process more daunting and overwhelming.

Luckily for you, there are available study materials you can use how to prepare for the PMP® exam that you can acquire straight out from PMI’s resources or online.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam Using PMI’s Accessible Resources and Study Materials  

The following resources below are available from PMI and they will definitely fit your preference. Choose from these resources and select which ones you find the most convenient and useful. How to prepare for the PMP® exam is entirely up to you with the aid of the study materials.

The PMBoK® Guide:

The most important resource material of it all. Passing the PMP® exam will be less of a hassle if you own this particular guide. You can download the PMBoK® Guide from PMI’s website if you can buy one from online stores or in a local bookstore near you. This is an investment since you don’t get to use the guide once, but many times and will serve your reference for the future.

PMP® Exam Prep Book:

Besides the PMBoK® Guide, the PMP® Exam Prep Book will help you understand the PMBoK® Guide in a simpler manner, with simple English terminologies and concepts.

PMP® Exam Prep Workshops or Seminars:

If you want to get that back to school feeling or prefer some human interaction, you can opt for some PMP® exam workshops. You can share ideas and experiences and even acquire tips and tricks from fellow aspiring PMP® certified individuals or project managers. These sessions can also add your contact hours required for the PMP® exam.

Flash Cards:

Flash cards are considered to be one of the easiest to use and most convenient material to put your study content on. Whether it’s electronic or in the paper, flash cards will help you organize your content and you can study them whenever you go. It’s your ultimate portable reviewer.

Online Simulators:

These online simulators will mimic the same environment of a PMP® exam room setting, as well sample questions from the exam in order to create convenience o your part. This will also aid you to properly implement and apply the PMBOK guide and makes you less nervous when the actual PMP® exam comes along.

PMP® Exam Prep Videos:

If you want to take a break from all the books, you can try your hand in studying via videos. No need to carry around your PMBoK® Guide a video version of it can download from any type of devices such as phone or laptop.

Free Online Materials and Other Resources:

Some free resources are too good to be true—no need to pay for a fee but they actually end up as bogus. Finding credible materials online is hard these days, but if you get from a credible source, you won’t have any issues acquiring legitimate materials useful for your PMP® exam preparation.

You can always check out the PMI website for available free resources or participate in PMP® forums to inquire about downloadable resources and materials for your PMP® exam studies.

The fifth article in the PMP® exam preparation series will tell you about some of the tips and tricks for studying and reviewing for the exam.

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: Your Study Materials (Part 4) appeared first on Management Square.

How to prepare for the PMP® exam in the project management way is easier since you already have the basic knowledge of the field. This article will cover just that.

Some Things to Keep in Mind—How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam Using the Project Management Route and How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam Using the Approaches You Have Already Known

Preparing a study plan that is almost similar to a project plan isn’t that complicated as one thinks. Just like starting out a project, your study plan should have the timeframe, mission, and daily or weekly goals to help you keep on track while preparing for your PMP® exam.

How to prepare for PMP® exam should be a breeze. And with building your study plan with the applications of a project plan organizes your goals and a list of terminologies and other data that you will encounter in the PMP® credential exam.

So what are the specific details to include in your study or review plan? It’s still up to you, but this article will give you the most important components that should be present in your plan so that you won’t end up pulling your hair preparing for the PMP® exam.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam—Components for Your Review Plan

The following components below will help you how to prepare for the PMP® exam using project management-based approaches. You don’t need to include all you have encountered during your project management days—infusing some elements on your study plan will help you study better and prepare with less hassle for your PMP® exam.

Evaluate Your Mission

Preparing for the PMP® exam means you have to be motivated enough to determine what will drive you to get that certification.

Ask yourself how this certification will affect your overall welfare; your job, your life, even your financial status. When you have a clear goal in mind, this is where you will fully understand what PMP® certification really means to you.

Build a Day to Day Study Schedule

PMP® exams take time and you have to think about the same thing for your test review as well. Devote your time and free your calendar to build your own daily study schedule so you are well-prepared for the exam. Don’t forget to prepare your study materials as well. Ensure that you find a quiet spot to study with zero distractions.

Create a goal in mind. Say, how many pages are you planning to review today? Don’t just study non-stop—take a break once in a while so you can approach your review again with a fresh mind.

Facilitate a Weekly Goal

This will help you monitor your goals that you have fulfilled from your daily goals. If you devote 3 or 3 hours studying the PMBoK® Guide, you will be able to finish one chapter for a week. This will give also give you more chance to test yourself with the practice PMP® exams.

Keep track of your progress by jotting it down or create a graph to represent how far you have come. It is up to you at this point, provided you update them show there are changes present.

Find a Place to Study

Find a place where you are comfortable and won’t get distracted by noise or people. A coffee shop is a good place to study, but if you are easily distracted by people, then this is not an ideal place to review. Assess yourself and your preference in terms of environment and atmosphere.

Preparing for a PMP® exam should have zero distraction; this means no TV show marathons while studying or sneak chat with a friend on Facebook or Skype. Put your whole focus for preparing for the PMP® exam—the chat and Game of Thrones binge watching can wait.

Mind the People

A lot of people will be affected with your schedule especially you have your schedule full in preparing for the PMP® exam; this includes your friends and family. Let them know when you’re free so you at least get to spend time with them. Make them understand how the PMP® exam and certification is important to your career growth and development.

Learn How to Adapt

Changes are inevitable and your schedule and plan are no exceptions. Learn to adapt to these changes and make the necessary solutions in case you come across with issues. Ensure that these changes won’t disrupt your PMP® exam preparation.

So those are the important components to keep in mind while preparing for your PMP® exam. Makes sure to remain consistent with it so as not to lose track of your progress. The fourth article will tackle the study materials you can use during your review session.

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: The Study Plan (Part 3) appeared first on Management Square.

After the eligibility check, it’s time to fill out and submit an application. The nine-page application can be daunting to fill, but keep in mind that it’s essential to make you qualified for the next round of PMP® exam. The following details you will provide must be clear and specific. You cannot afford to be vague in your application; so ensure that you have are well-prepared with your answers.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam When You Find the Application Too Long and When You Are Pressed for Time

You don’t need to finish the application within that day. Sometimes it even takes weeks for the application to finish it some candidates never get to the end of it. Hence, their chances to obtain that sought-after PMP® exam or certification have passed them by.

If you want to bag that PMP® exam and that credential, you need to have all the time and devote them solely on filling out the application. Sounds complicated? Below are the following steps on how to prepare for the PMP® exam without the headaches and time chasing.

The Steps to Take and How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam with Less Stress and Pressure

Step 1: Obtaining the PMP® Exam Application

The first step to take on how to prepare for the PMP® exam is to get the application and start filling it out. Time is of the essences so once you have successfully submitted the following requirements, you immediately fill out and pay the form.

PMI suggests doing an online application for convenience sake. You can download the form and you are going to complete it within 90 days.

The application is divided into three sections where you state your contact information, educational attainment and information, and your company or industry. You have to indicate your project management experiences in the second section and contact hours in the third section.

The second section is more time-consuming from the rest since you have to give an in-depth description of your experiences from the duration, down to projects you have worked on, lead, or directed.

To make this process easier, compile all these experiences using Experience Verification Worksheet to make the details more organized and less time-consuming.

Step 2: The Waiting Game

Once you submit your application, you have to wait for the feedback while the panel reviews it. An offline application takes 10 days to be reviewed. The PMI panel will let you know if your application needs more details or you won’t be able to complete it.

Step 3: Pay the necessary fees

After the PMI panel confirms your application, they will let you know via e-mail the fees for the PMP® exam. They won’t provide you the exam schedule until you have paid these fees. Once you settled that, they are going to inquire of your preference—whether you want to take the PMP® exam offline or online. They will ask you if you need additional assistance such as a language translator tool or visual or audio accessibility.

Step 4: Ensure that you are prepared for a random audit

The PMI runs random audits to ensure the eligibility of the candidate; hence your application must undergo one. As long as you are prepared, you have nothing to worry about. The panel will inform you if your application is subjected to the audit. You have a total of 90 days to fulfill your audit requirements such as your certificate copies of your 35 contact hours.

You should also prepare other documentation that is related to your project management experiences such as e-mails, meeting agenda and plans.

If there’s one thing you must not do, is being dishonest with your application. Avoid exaggerating some of the details because the PMI will definitely find out that you are not entirely truthful of your claims.

Your contacts or referrals will help you verify the following information you fill out in your audit. So catch up with them and ask if the following data is correct. That way, they will vouch for your claim once the PMI starts investigating and inquiring.

Step 5: Prepare your PMP® exam schedule

The PMI panel will now notify you that you are eligible for the PMP® certification exam once they have reviewed everything. You have a year to take this exam and can retake it more than twice should you fail to pass it.

A testing service called Prometric is in charge of the PMI exams; you can check for the nearest Prometric in your area and look for the dates that will accommodate your schedule. Keep in mind it takes weeks, or even months for Prometric to provide you with the exam, so you have to book one in advance. An earlier booking also means you get to focus on studying for the PMP® exam.

Now that you are settled with the additional requirements and scheduling for your PMP® exam, it’s time to build a study plan—the project management way– which you will find in the next article.

PMI and PMP are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: The Application (Part 2) appeared first on Management Square.

Project management skills are probably one of the most coveted and well-known areas by IT professionals and career-seekers. And it doesn’t limit to one job domain—every type of company you go to, you will definitely find yourself surrounded by preferences from the higher-ups when it comes to skills—and project management is on the top of their list.

That being said, more and more job applicants want to stand out from the rest by obtaining credentials that will help them boost their chances of being hired. And the PMP® exam is one of the solutions to that. A PMP® certification will give more opportunities for candidates in terms of experience and knowledge. Undergoing a PMP® exam means preparation. This article is the first of how to prepare for the PMP® exam series and securing your eligibility to be a candidate.

Everyone is eligible to take the PMP® exam. The only thing to keep in mind here is to ensure you have all the requirements and are qualified for one. All of these will be covered by the first series of this article.

Are You a Qualified Candidate? How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam Once You Have All the Said Requirements

How to prepare for the PMP® exam doesn’t have to be a daunting task. As long as you have all the requirements listed below, you are on the road towards eligibility. On the other hand, you need to have a formal training or education, as well as experience in the field of project management. The PMP® Credential Handbook has all the list of requirements and qualifications that you can actually download from the web. Below are the following basic requirements for eligibility:

• Candidate must four-year degree or equivalent and have an experience of management for at least 3 years. The candidates must spend a maximum of 4,500 hours within that 3-year duration leading projects. They should also be required to have a 35-hour education in the same area.

• In case the candidate doesn’t have a degree, he or she can submit a high school diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years experience in project management. There should be a 7,500-hour experience within that 5 years and 35 hours of education in the same field.

How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam : It Involves Time

If you are pressed for time (or not time at all), then you have to think twice about taking the PMP® exam. You need all the time to devote yourself from both what they call as experience and contact hours. So what do these terms mean exactly? Experience hours mean the word itself, the duration you spent on leading and managing projects. The candidate doesn’t have to be a project manager in that field—as long as he or she did relevant tasks in project management she is legible for the PMP® exam, provided he or she fulfills the required hours.

The following candidates should also have experiences in project initiation, monitoring, tracking, and planning or processing. The online application is limited to 500 characters in which candidates must state and describe their significant tasks and experiences in project management.

Contact hours, on the other hand, refer to the hours the candidate or applicant has spent in project management training or education. It doesn’t matter if you took it online or in a school or classroom.

The PMI Membership Matter

No, you don’t need to be a PMI member in order to avail of the PMP® exam. However, it has its own benefits. PMI members have discounts in their PMP® exam cost and they will also receive a copy of the PMBoK® Guide.

The next article will tackle the advantages of basic knowledge on how to prepare for the PMP® exam.

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam: Securing Your Eligibility (Part 1) appeared first on Management Square.

From the exam down to its preparation, PMP® certification cost is serious business and others will see at as an investment and they don’t mind racking the money to be PMP®-certified. Some applicants opt to be members of PMI to avail the benefits such as discounts in PMP® exam. If you are on a tight budget, you can consider giving it a go.

How PMP® Certification Cost Is Worth It?

There are other means to be able to obtain the same style of PMI if you are not up to be a member. You can opt to go under a training from PMP® expert, but you still have to think about the cost that comes with it. However, the benefits are basically almost as similar for PM memberships.

Training or undergoing coaching is one of the best methods an applicant does to prepare for a PMP® exam. Such training is readily available for both member and non-members of the PMI.

Speaking of cost; it has its own impact towards PMP® certification. The PMP® certification cost still varies, and it depends on the following elements:

• If the applicant is willing to become a PMI member.
• If the applicant resorts to self-study or take up a PMP® training or, 
• If the applicant is up to take the PMP® training with a trainer or coach.

PMP® Certification Cost with Boot Camp, and Self-Study

The PMI Membership

If you do want to have a go with PMI membership, then you have to keep track of the following cost—and the benefits—that come with it. There’s the discounted exam fee for every type of certification you want to take. In this case when you take a PMP® certification exam and if you are a member, the cost is $405 and for non-members, it will cost them $555. There’s also the matter of study and test materials and resources.

You can basically save $150 when you become a PMI member and you also have the liberty to access their exclusive resources such as the free copy of the latest edition of PMBoK® Guide. So when you are planning to take your PMP® exam, your PMP® Certification cost won’t be a heavy burden since you get to save a lot of money if you are a PMI member.

Once you are granted a PMP® certification, you can acquire of what they call PMP® Professional Development Units (PDU), free of charge. The renewal of the PMI membership equals to a cost of $129 a year.

The Self-Study Option

It’s really not necessary to do a self-study, but it can be useful when it comes to fulfilling the project management education requirement to apply for a PMP® certification. On the other hand, formal training or education is not mandatory if the applicant has an MBA or a business degree or equivalent if he or she desires to pursue the PMP® certification exam.

There is still cost involved if you opt for a self-study. In this case, study materials and resources such as PMBoK® Guide and other related books as well as online prep classes and reviews. The PMP® certification resources range up to $500. The downside of this approach though is you cannot acquire the same learning other applicants who do formal training or coaching in terms of interaction and knowledge from a PMP® expert or instructor.

A self-study prep is only ideal to those who are more well-versed in the academic domain and those who can easily navigate their way to these type of exams.

The Boot Camp

Interested applicants can also resort to a training called the PMP® Boot Camp to help them prep for a PMP® exam. Going to a boot camp is recommended to Project Management Experts or professionals. The applicants will get to choose from multiple training programs to help them boost their skills and expertise.

The following trainers undergo a series of assessment by the panel based on their expertise, experience, and skills. They are also undergoing interviews and need to demonstrate their skills that will qualify for the training.

The PMP® Certification cost for the boot camp is around $700 to $3,000.

So What Should I Choose?

The cost can be pretty overwhelming and it’s not cheap for sure. But if you want to resort to the following approaches but still hesitant to spend money, think of it as an investment. A PMP® certification has a lot of advantages other than the increase in salary; it will give you more networking opportunities and train new employees. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Carefully assess your situation and preference and ensure that you are ready for what type of approach you want to pursue. In this case, worry less of the cost and visualize your career growth.

PMI, PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

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Certification Requirements :

Three years have passed by since you earned your PMP® Certification. During that time you’ve honed your Project Management skills, progressed in your career and met some great people. To top it all off, you have kept up with your continuing certification requirements and met your minimum of 60 PDUs. But how will you keep it?

In order for you to satisfy the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program and maintain an active credential status individuals who have attained the PMP® (Project Management Professional) credential must accrue and report a minimum of 60 professional development units (PDUs) during each CCR cycle, which is typically 3 years, complete an Application for Certification Renewal and payment of the renewal fee, and reaffirm PMI’s Code of Professional Conduct.

Is this an automatic renewal process or is there more involved?

Yes. Continuing certification requirements should be. There are four criteria that must be met to maintain your status as a PMP®.

• Obtain 60 PDUs within the three-year certification cycle: Obtaining PDUs is really essential in keeping your continuing credential requirements moving forward. One of the best ways to proactively plan your PDUs is to get creative and leverage one PDU opportunity upon another. For example, if you attend a PMI Chapter Meeting you will earn 1 PDU in Category A. Why not piggy-back on that PDU opportunity by taking an active role as a volunteer at the registration desk? This will give you credit towards Category E PDUs as it counts towards volunteer service. You’ll be at the Chapter Meeting anyway, so it is a great opportunity to use your time wisely and get the most out of the evening.
• Complete the Application for Certification Renewal to get your continuing certification requirements going: The easiest way to renew your PMP® certification is online. Here’s what you will do:
• • Log in to your account at www.pmi.org.
  • In the left sidebar there is a Certification Status block. Click on Certification and Application Information.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will receive a message of whether you have accumulated the required number of Professional Development Units. If you do not have enough PDUs, you will need to take the steps necessary to acquire the required number of PDUs.
  • If you have received the required number of PDUs, click on Begin the Renewal Process and follow the step-by-step instructions that will allow you to finish the process.
  • Reaffirm PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement: this refers to the document that outlines the mission and values of the PMP® certified who are expected to approach every situation on an ethical manner.
  • Pay the Renewal Fee (currently $60 for PMI Members): this is part of your continuing certification requirements so make sure that your membership pay on time.

Three statuses:

You have three full years from the date you pass your PMP® exam to renew your certification to remain in Active Status. Always keep your continuing certification requirements updated. This allows you to continue to use the PMP® designation.

Always maintain yourself in “good standing”, is there a PMP®. But, if you find yourself past the active date of your continuing certification requirements and have not met it, you can no longer call yourself a PMP® until those continuing certification requirements have been met. Your continuing certification requirements might be considered in Suspended Status and the overdue continuing certification requirements must be met within one year of your certification date. If you slip past this one year grace period, your PMP® certification will be lost and you will need to start all over again.

In addition, there is also a Retired Status. Anyone who has had their PMP® Certification for at least 10 consecutive years and is no longer paid for their Project or Program Management services can apply for this status.

Every PMP® certified is expected to adhere to the continuing certification requirements. Your career is a journey, and you’ll need to stay relevant as the profession evolves and as the needs of employers grow and change that is why you need your continuing certification requirements updated. Maintaining your continuing certification requirements is a significant competitive advantage. It keeps you relevant and helps you better position yourself as the answer to what companies demand.

PMP is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post How to keep your PMP® Certification Active? appeared first on Management Square.

Yet with a lot of certifications and credentials emerging nowadays, it is easy to get confused in deciding which ones are essential and are actually worth pursuing.

For project managers, the PMP® or Project Management Professional certification is recognized across the world. It validates a project manager’s skills and experience in leading and implementing projects. Being PMP® certified exposes you to a big network of project management professionals where you can gain fresh ideas on project management techniques, best practices and current trends.

But does PMP® really add value to your profile? Why do you need to invest your time and effort in taking the PMP® certification?

While there is no definite correlation between being PMP® certified and being able to successfully manage projects, companies value PMP® certification as a basis in showcasing a project manager’s ability to observe strictly defined processes in project implementation which is a very valuable skill in any workplace.

With a lot of new graduates joining the workforce, competition is really tough in the field of project management. Employers are likewise becoming more and more critical in choosing the right candidate. A PMP® certification is the one credential that will surely make your resume attractive to these employers. In fact, many recruiters now include PMP® in the elimination process of their applicants.

Moreover, in order to pass the PMP® exam, you need to have an in depth knowledge of the rules and processes set in the PMBoK® Guide (Project Management Book of Knowledge). This is another good reason why PMP® certification can pump up your profile, PMP® certification is an indication of a solid foundation in project management. It signifies you have sufficient knowledge in the five major process groups in project management which are – Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing the project. In relation to this, it has identified that project managers without PMP® certifications are more likely to submit delayed projects which are also oftentimes over the budget.

PMP® certification can make a huge difference especially if you are in cities where project management is highly sought after. This is where being PMP® certified is really valuable. It helps you to stand out among many other project managers.

Indeed in so many ways, PMP® certification increases your career opportunities and enhances your project management skills. So if you are seeking for professional advancement in your project management career, taking the PMP® exam might be worth your investment of time and effort. It certainly adds value to your profile as a project manager.

PMP and PMBoK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post Why Being PMP® Certified Adds Value To Your Profile? appeared first on Management Square.