But let’s learn the gist of the projectized organization first:

The Projectized Organization Structure Advantages—What is Projectized Organization?

Tasks are compiled into programs or portfolios ad turning them into projects are one of the elements of a projectized organization. Simply put, projects are the star of the show and the tasks within it are implemented and operated by an assigned team, under the leadership of a project manager.

And speaking of project managers, they have the upper hand wth the entire operation. All tasks, updates, and changes are all reported by the team to the project manager who is also in charge of decisions for the whole team and project, and taking care of resources, tools, and budget. One of the projectized organization structure advantages are that such organizational structure is flexible as well as adaptable. Experiences are learned and shared within the members which make the team dynamic sturdier.

Keep in mind that just because a project manager has the free reign in the project, it doesn’t mean that he or she has to make decisions without consulting the higher-ups first. If a project operates under a program, the project manager must consult the program manager first before deciding on a course of action. This also applies to projects operating under a portfolio.

As mentioned above, one of the features of projectized organization is that project managers have full authority over the projects and team. Another characteristic of this structure is that teams are demobilized once the project is finished. The team member typically works full time and part time members are usually consultants and external business partners who aid in the project’s operation.

Projectized Organization Structure Advantages: The Project Management Framework

The following projectized organization structure advantages are different than the functional organization in terms of project manager responsibilities and the overall framework.

• The authority is clear and team members are able to identify who they report to, making decisions more adaptable and efficient.

• Since the communication falls into a single line of the system, there is only one person to report to which makes communication less time-consuming. This also makes the communication among project team members more cocise and more effective, preventing confusion among information deployment.

• A single line of communication also means that responding to stakeholders or clients is faster, especially with time-sensitive information. Urgent tasks are easily prioritized due to a fast-paced envronment that is present in projectized organization structure.

• A projectizecd organization gives team members a chance to have a learning curve from their experiences while being involved in a project. Such learning manifests early due to the structure’s faster communication, priority, and milestones.

• Team members become more flexible as the project progresses, as well as encountering various projects and operations. These projects serve as a pathway for them to determine their strenghts and weaknesses.

• Sharing of knowledge and experience is easier; not to mention it saves time and money training members for improving and developing their skills.

• Loyalty and dedication to the team are stronger and there are no issues in regards to management. Since there is the only person to report to, there will be no problems with multiple authorities running amok.

Despite the PMO or program manager governing the projects, the manager is still expected to do his or her responsibility to make the project run smoothly. Project managers are also expected to make quick and logical decisions in the projects. Before employers hire a manager in a projectized organization, his or her skills must be evaluated first to determine if he or she is qualified for the responsibilities of a project manager. Since the projectized organization has one authority, it’s crucial that project managers ensure that team members are motivated to fulfill their respective tasks.

Above all, the projectized organization creates dynamic to projects and organizations that need a hassle-free methodology to fulfill the key objectives of the tasks. It is versatile and benefits not only the project as a whole, but the team members and program manager looking for ways to develop or improve their skills.

The post Getting to Know the Projectized Organization Structure Advantages appeared first on Management Square.

There are three types of organization structure that exist in the organizations in the industry: matrix, functional, and projectized organizational structure. Each three of these organizational structures have their own set of characteristics and features that separate them from one another. However, the article will solely focus on projectized organization structure instead.

The Big Deal: What is Projectized Organization Structure?

From the word itself: projectized—an organizational structure that focuses on projects, its process, as well as the tasks within it. Different types of management approaches have been developed for the past years in the business or tech industry. And one of them is project organization. So what is projectized organization structure? How is it different from the usual functional organization structure?

In this type of setting, organizations complete their tasks and transform them into programs or portfolios, and execute them via projects. Sounds like your usual project governance, but the project manager’s task is almost a far cry from the functional organization structure.

A projectized organization structure is designed or set up in a way that the project manager is on the top of the hierarchy and has the full power in any decision that is involved in the project. The team members directly report to him or her and all the tasks are concentrated towards the project. Unlike the typical functional organization, project managers in the projectized organization structure are not limited to tasks such as decision making and resources utilization.

The project of said organization structure relies on external domains in order to establish one. A projectized organization structure is usually composed of divisions such as Accounting, Human Resource, and Admin—all serves as support systems of all activities involved in project management. This still depends on the type of company and size—some projects have more than three support domains that provide individual components essential for the project’s entire operation.

Depending on the size of the project, the team members can either be full time or part time. Larger projects tend to take a lot of resources and teams which often resulted in a project organization within an organization. Since a project is a temporary endeavor, the teams are mobilized to new projects once the previous project is finished.

What is Projectized Organization Structure and Their Features

Now that we have the basic know-how of what is projectized organization structure, it’s time to cover its distinct features that are a shy away from the functional organization structure we get used to. Projectized organization structure may seem similar to its functional counterpart, but they do have their own set of framework that makes them stand out from both matrix and functional organization structures.

Below are the following characteristics of a projectized organization structure:

• Team members operate under the command of the project manager. Usually, these members work full time and permanently, and they report every update and ay changes to the project manager.

• The project manager has the full reign of all the operations involved in the project. This includes decision making, deploying tasks to team members, and managing resources and funds.

• The teams and resources are demobilized once the project is completed. This is one of the distinct features of the projectized organization that makes them stand out from other types of organizational structure.

Citing Examples

To fully understand the system of projectized organization structure, let us have an example that is based on a real-life project scenario.

Say that there are two tasks within a project. We name it Project A and Project B. This is a project for a certain video game. Let’s call this Video Game X—this is the project that needs to be developed by the assigned team. Now under Video Game X are the two projects mentioned (it’s Projects A and B in case you lose track). Project A includes developing codes for the game as well as tests to ensure that there are no bugs and other issues in the game. Project B, on the other hand, includes the development of graphics—this includes concept art and rendering. The Video Game X is lead by a project manager. The members working on both projects report to the manager, should there are updates needed.



The Future of Projectized Organization Structure

Some organizations resort to a projectized structure for a more organized framework of tasks and projects. Project managers are trusted to do the job that is expected of them and their skills and capabilities are the key elements towards the project’s success and efficacy. At the end of the day, it still depends on the organization’s culture and principles on what type of structure they believe will help them developed in the industry.

The post What Is Projectized Organization Structure : The Know-Hows appeared first on Management Square.

But first off: Why the need for a certification? Management-based jobs within an organization feel the need for applicants to obtain certifications that will help them determine if the former’s management skills and capabilities will live up to their expectations. Some organizations prefer applicants to have certifications attached on their resume, rather than who’s already experienced in the field of management.

Certification has since been then a go-to edge for aspiring managers and this has been made possible by PMI, a nonprofit organization that provides such management certification, as well as standards such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK® Guide) that includes the project management principles and best practices.

You will get perks of being a PMI member including discounts on certifications, a PMBoK® Guide, and digital standards.

If you want to amp up your management game, then PMI is the best place to do so. PMI and its affiliated organizations are responsible for assisting people with research, education, and other management-related opportunities. And there are more selections of management certifications to choose from.

PMI Certifications : Choosing the Right PMI Certification for Your Career

Below are the following PMI certifications to help you boost your career or skills or if you’re aspiring to climb to the top of the management ladder. Some management certifications have certain requirements so ensure that you have prepared one. All applicants must undergo an exam for all types of certifications.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®

This is the PMI’s entry-level certification or inexperienced applicants who are up or a project management career. Obtaining the CAPM® certification shows that you comprehend the aspect of project management, its terms, as well as its procedures.

Requirements:

High school diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent, with project experience of 1,500 hours or a project management education of 23 hours.

Project Management Professional (PMP)®

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is considered to be the most well-known and sought after PMI certifications globally. One of the benefits of the PMP® certification is an increase in salary and networking opportunities.

Requirements:

• High-school diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
• Project management experience of 5 years, plus 7.500 hours leading or directing projects.
• Project management education of 35 hours

Or

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Project management experience of 3 years, plus 4,500 hours leading or directing projects
• Project management education of 35 hours

Program Management Professional (PgMP)®

Next to the most coveted certification is the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. This is for program managers who can tackle multiple projects at the same time, all the while achieving the required benefits.

Requirements:

• Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
• 4 years of project management experience with 7 years of experience in program management

Or

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 4 years of project management experience and 4 years of program management experience
• All experiences mentioned must be gained in a span of 15 years.
• Applicants must also pass their application indicating their experiences that are then reviewed by a panel.

Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®

The Portfolio Management Professional certification is for the working in the portfolio management, aligning and governing projects and programs with the the organizational objectives and business priorities.

Requirements:

• Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
• 7 years of experience in portfolio management

Or

• Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years of experience in portfolio management
• All applicants must have business experience of at least 8 years

PMI – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®

This is for practitioners who are knowledgeable of the agile principle of project management, as well as strategies and tools.

Requirements:

• 2,000 hours of experience in project management
• 1,500 hours of agile experiences, with 21 hours training in agile principles
• The experiences in project team must be gained prior within 5 years, while agile-focused experiences must be gained in 3 years.

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®

PMI-RMP® certification is ideal for candidates who plan, manage, analyze, and control project risk procedures and strategies.

Requirements:

• Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
• Project risk experience, of 4,500 hours, with project risk management education of 40 hours

Or

• Bachelor’s degree
• Project experience of 3,000 hours, with project risk management education of 30 hours.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®

This is for individuals who maintain projects schedules and ensure the project doesn’t run out of resources.

Requirements:

• Highschool diploma or associate’s degree
• 5,000 hours of scheduling projects and 40 hours of education in project scheduling

Or

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 3,500 hours of project scheduling experience, with 30 hours of project scheduling education

PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)®

The PMI-PBA® certification serves as an aid to help close the project requirement gap that is often the major factor of project failure issues. Individuals obtaining this certification have all the elements needed in order ti implement projects and bring them towards success.

Requirements:

• Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
• Business analysis experience of 7,500 hours, project team experience of 2,000 hours, and business analysis education of 35 hours

Or

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Business analysis experience of 4,500 hours, project team experience of 2,000 hours, and business analysis education of 35 hours

Note: All experiences must be acquired within 8 years.

Renewing Your Certifications

Renewal of certificates is always available. CAPM® certification lasts up to 5 years, while the rest is a solid duration of 3 years. However, certificate holders must take another test to renew their CAPM® credential.

Maintenance requires earning 30 to 60 PDUs within a given period. PMI-ACP®, PMI-RMP®, and PMI-SP® certification require 30 PDUS and 60 for PMP®, PgMP®, PfMP® and PMI-PBA® certifications.

PMI Certification — Getting Ready for the Road Ahead

Certifications and Careers

More and more organizations are seeking employees who have certifications under their belt. As the business industry grows, so is the evolution of project and program management. And this also means the need for more prospective employees who are well-versed with the language shared within the hierarchy of management industry.

Individuals who obtain the entry-level certifications CAPM® or the darling of the crowd PMP® can start as project managers. You will also find working in PMI are coordinators, schedule managers, and directors in the field of project management.

PMI-ACP® certified individuals on the other hand often find themselves working as Scrum experts or agile project managers.

PgMP® and PfMP® professionals can be typically managing or implementing portfolio and program strategies. Regardless of what type of certification you have obtained, you will have a wide array of multiple project or program-based careers to choose from.

PMI, CAPM, PMP, PgMP, PfMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA  and PMBok are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The post PMI Certifications : Your Guide to a Newly-Paved Career Path appeared first on Management Square.

Project Management Certification—A Boost in Career

Almost every activity that is running within the department of an organization is a project—for developing strategies to delivering products or services to the clients or stakeholders, project management is the prime approach to making all that possible.

That is why more organizations need an individual who is not only an expert in managing projects but well-versed in the area as well. Someone who can live up to the expectations of the clients and who understands the business case of the project he or she oversees.

And that’s where the certifications have become readily available for individuals who want to add a project management certification in their credentials, as well as boost their skill set. Such certification will help you become more in-depth with the project management processes, as well as tasks such as scheduling, controlling, and implementing.

Selecting Your Project Management Certification

There are numerous project management certifications to choose from according to your needs and preferences. The Project Management Institute (PMI)® provides a wide array of project management certifications to cater to the needs of prospective candidates looking to boost their career or build one from their existing job endeavor. Each of the certifications covered in this article has different features and all of them require an exam and a set of other requirements to be qualified for the said exam. Below are the most sought-after project management certifications.

Project Management Professional (PMP)®

One of the most common projects management certifications in the PMI, PMP® provides all the things you need to acquire in terms of knowledge and skills in managing projects, as well as time, cost, and scope constraints. Furthermore, this is where all the basic skills are which is essential for those who want to enhance or create a new skill set in project management.

Requirements: 

Candidates must have a high school diploma with a project management experience of 5 years, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of education in the same area.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree are also qualified, provided that they 3 years of project management experience, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, as well as 35 hours’ project management education.

How much will it cost me?

Online exams cost a total of $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. If you opt for a paper-based exam, you need to rack up $250 if you are a PMI member and if you are not, it will cost you $400.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®

CAPM® is the pre-requisite of PMP® and it aims to provide a more advanced skill set and knowledge to aspirants who want to move further to the project management ladder. If you are up for a rather slightly treacherous path towards becoming certified, then CAPM® is the right certification for you.

Requirements:

A high school diploma or equivalent accompanied with project management experience of 1,500 hours or a project management training of 23 hours.

How much will it cost me?

Non-members of the PMI will need to pay $300, PMI members only get to cough up $225.

CompTIA Project+

Considered to be the first step towards the CAPM® ladder, CompTIA surveys feedback from an organization such as academics, government unit or computing resources to plan the certification.

Requirements:

Requirements for the CompTIA are less strict; a year of managing and working on small and medium projects are the only requirements needed for this certification.

How much will it cost me?

The CompTIA costs $269

Master Project Manager (MPM)®

This particular certificate is outlined after the same certification of lawyers, doctors, and engineers, as well as working in the aviator industry. MPM caters to experience project management but also inclines to business and technical jobs.

Requirements: 

Applicants must have at least 3 years of project management experience and education. Candidates with a master’s degree and military and project professionals are also legible for MPM certification.

How much will it cost me?

Application, review, and overall processing cost a total of $300. This also covers the certification.

Certified Project Manager (CPM)®

Known around the world, CPM concentrates different skill set such as marketing, information technology, communication, and human resource, and risk management.

Requirements:

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or above or any global-recognized accreditation. You are also legible if you have a professional certification with project or program management experience of 4 years, CPM contact hours of either project or program management, and must pass the required CPM exam.

How much will it cost me?

Certification is $370. Both the annual and renewal fee cost $70 each.

Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)®

The PMITS certification was born from the terrorist attack of 9/11 to acknowledge the issues regarding cybercrime, as well as security and information of the countries. The certification’s purpose is to provide aspirants to execute IT security within their organizations and projects.

Requirements:

An education that is related to security and at least two years of experience in information security. The following aspirants can also attend an EC training program before pursuing the exam.

How much will it cost me?

The PMITS course is $250

Associate in Project Management (APM)®

The APM certification program also aims to cater to applicants and project managers who want to work on an entry-level credential.

Requirements:

Unlike other certification, APM only requires a Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) body of knowledge.

How much will it cost me?

The certification is $300.

Professional in Project Management (PPM)®

The PPM® certificate caters to intermediate and advanced project managers who work in crisis management, as well as the day to day tasks in the same domain.

Requirements:

Education or formal training are not mandatory; candidates must have at least experience in the project management field in order to pass the exam and GAQM body of knowledge course.

How much will it cost me?

This certification will cost you an amount of $300

Certified Project Director®

It is the highest project management certification and is designed for project managers involved in implementing and directing two or more projects and focusing on managing scope, managing teams, and evaluating and minimizing risks in order to deliver the projects successfully.

Requirements:

A GAQM body of knowledge, as well as an online course, is required to obtain the certification. Applicants must be also knowledgeable with project management methods and they must pass the PPM exam or an equivalent to that.

How much will it cost me?

A fee of $300 is needed for this certification.

Obtaining Project Management Certification Can Found Everywhere

Besides the PMI, academic institutions or universities also offer different types of certifications, as well as training or education to help an aspirant with their PDUs or contact hours.

You can also ask your local universities, colleges, or training centers for available programs and seminars towards certification qualification.

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

The post Your Guide to Project Management Certification 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.