|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Written by Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
|
|
There’s no better catalyst for self realization than taking the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam. I’m kidding you, of course, but there is some truth in that the PMP exam day will illuminate that “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
The PMP Exam is a ‘closed’ book exam. That means the only reference material you are allowed to carry into the testing facility has to be contained in your brain. But during your exam, your brain is going to be very busy interpreting the exam questions and trying to apply all of the knowledge, skills and principles you’ve accumulated in your studies and work experience.
If you haven’t already, you should go for a visit to the local testing facility where you’ll take your exam and confirm what to expect. Most likely, on your exam day, the exam monitor will check you into the testing facility, hand you six or so sheets of scratch paper and two pencils, then show you to your seat and confirm that your PC is working. Then you’ll have about 15 minutes to go through a tutorial that really only takes about 5 minutes to do. Then you begin your exam.
During the test, recalling what you do know can be daunting. Quite frankly, some of your ability to access that knowledge is going to seem misplaced amongst your grey cells. So how do you create the best opportunities to pass the PMP Exam that day? You can use the 10 minutes you don’t need from the tutorial time to do a Brain Dump!
What is a Brain Dump?
A Brain Dump is a technique used by many students on closed book exams to create their personal mini reference table. Brain dumps are abbreviations of components and concepts, which you have committed to memory and are then spilled out on to sheets of paper prior to the exam for reference.
Brain dumps contain just enough key concepts, theories, formulas and content, which will jog your memory. By having the information on your Brain Dump, your mind can focus on the question at hand instead of trying to remember the formula needed to answer the question. It helps you to be in the the right frame of mind specific to each question.
What goes into a Brain Dump?
Brain Dumps are only as good as the quality and quantity of information that you can spill out on the piece(s) of paper just before you begin your PMP Exam. They contain the formulas, theory, concepts and PMP-isms that you might otherwise forget for a moment at the very moment when you need it most.
Here is what you can generally find as part of a PMP Exam Brain Dump:
- Table 3-1 of the PMBOK® Guide 4th Edition
- Formulas, such as earned value, PERT, communication channels, procurement, probability, project selection and depreciation
- Values, such as 1, 2 and 3 sigma and estimate ranges
- Acronyms, such as BAC or TCPI
- Powers of a project manager
- Conflict resolution (best to worst)
- Sources of conflict (order of priority)
- Herzberg’s motivators
- Project closing check list
And of course: you must include all the items that you personally have trouble remembering during your studies and that you feel need to go onto your sheet. The list above or using a Brain Dump that someone else created can be a good start but you really need to customize it to your needs. Don’t study what others are having trouble remembering. Instead, include what gives you the hiccups.
How do I Study a Brain Dump?
Brain Dumps are pure memorization. As part of your exam preparation, exercises and studying, go ahead and practice committing the content of your Brain Dump to memory and then writing them out onto a blank sheet of paper on a daily basis.
Every morning, practice your brain dump until you’re satisfied with your progress. By the end of the first week you should be able to write out your brain dump in its entirety on the first go.
Then continue dumping it on a regular basis, going back to the daily routine in the two weeks leading up to your exam.
So What *IS* The Secret of Creating My PMP Exam Brain Dump Sheet?
Creating and studying your very own, personalized PMP Exam Brain Dump Sheet is a means to an end in itself. It all begins with creating the content that goes into it by getting to know your weak areas as you prepare for the exam. Then you memorize, you dump and you repeat. Pretty soon what seemed too complex to remember is at the forefront of your knowledge.
So the secret is that you will accelerate your studies and knowledge simply by going through the motions of creating, studying and knowing what’s on your personalized Brain Dump.
Last but not least, your PMP Exam Brain Dump is a great tool not only to help you bring your reference material into the testing facility, but also providing stress relief knowing it’s there as you encounter questions that require it. You’ll help yourself to learn the material as you study for your PMP Exam and give yourself an important edge in passing.
About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 12,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com and The PMP Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Dr. Andrew Makar
|
As people watch the ball drop, sing the auld lang syne and toast to old times, thousands of New Year Resolutions will be made. As you promise to drop 20 pounds, exercise 3 days a week, and obtain a better work-life balance, don’t forget to add a few project management best practices to your resolutions. Below are just a few resolutions that we all know are good practices even though we might not entirely follow during project execution.
1. I will update my project schedule weekly and share the updated plan with the team
The project schedule is one key document that needs to be revisited every week as project teams report progress. Project schedules are not intended to be cast in stone but rather serve as a forecasting tool that can adjust and incorporate re-planning. Spend 30 minutes to an hour a week updating the project schedule, reviewing it and obtain input from the team on scheduling changes.
2. I will document meeting minutes and send them out by the end of the day
I know we all abhor meeting minutes and transcribing them from scribbled notes into a meaningful MS-Word format can be a challenge when the day is packed with meetings.
If you don’t get your notes and key action items out by the end of the day, they will likely fall behind and few people respond to late meeting minutes. That’s why I advise using a mind mapping tool to document your meeting minutes and send them out that day. Consider this article on how to incorporate just-in-time meeting minutes into your day - Mind Map Your Meetings http://www.projectsatwork.com/content/articles/235696.cfm
3. I will send out my meeting materials the day prior not 5 minutes before
I readily admit I am guilty of sending out key materials a few minutes before the meeting so everyone has the latest copy. The problem is some documents need to be reviewed or printed before discussing them in a meeting. I’ve been in a few meetings where executives chastised the project manager for not sending them out earlier so they could review the materials. To avoid this embarrassing situation, I realize sending out the materials the day before may be at 11:59 PM at night, but at least I’m avoiding the appearance of being unprepared as I implement just-in-time meeting materials.
4. I will ask the the PMO and the quality assurance auditor how to make their job easier.
In some organizations, PMO support and the QA functions are only welcome when administrative roadblocks needs to be removed or a bureaucratic process needs to be followed. Having worked in both roles, I recognize the importance of keeping the PMO informed on project progress and ask for help. PMOs have the luxury of seeing across a portfolio of projects and can often identify solutions for similar problems. Invite them to lunch and find out how the PMO and project managers can make the project organization a better place to work!
5. I will encourage my management to conduct “skip level” meetings with my team members
Successful project managers can’t deliver unless they are supported by a team. Project managers should recognize their team members and share the accolades within the management spotlight. One way to do this is encourage your manager to have skip level meetings with your project team members. It will give your team members some additional visibility to a manager or executive that may not know specifically how your team contributes to the organization. It also provides an opportunity for team members to provide unfiltered feedback and new ideas.
6. I’ll reward my team with a monthly team gathering
Projects are successfully due to the relationships formed across all project stakeholders. These stakeholders include your project team! Relationships need to be developed not only in the weekly status meeting, at an all employee meeting or in the halls. They need to be developed outside the cubicle. Managers may hold an annual holiday party as a thank you to the team for all their accomplishments. However, project managers should reward their teams more frequently and develop the informal relationships within their teams. I’ve found the more I invest in relationships with the team, the better I know my team members and a stronger bond of trust emerges. When a project starts to go bad, these relationships are instrumental in successfully turning the project around.
The project manager doesn’t always have to pick up the tab for the monthly gathering but the project manager can buy a first round of drinks or appetizers. You may find the team is the one buying you the congratulatory beer!
7. I’ll commit to attend at least one training event this year
Is there ever a good time for training? Nope. So you might as well as schedule it and take it when planned. As project managers and continual learners, we need to remember to invest in ourselves and not just our projects. Training doesn’t necessarily need to be a boondoggle at West Coast resort or a formal structured class. Read a blog article, attend a webinar or read a chapter from a thought provoking business book. Spending a least 1 hour a week on yourself to learn something new and improve your skills is a hint a colleague of mine provided several years ago. You give 40 plus hours at week and using 1 of those hours each week will benefit you and the organization.
I know resolutions are hard to keep. The same 15 pounds I swore off last year are still here despite the 2010 resolution. Print this article, post it on your office wall and review these resolutions periodically. You may give up on your gym membership after a few weeks, don’t give up on these!
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Dr. Andrew Makar
|
|
Every now and then, I run into an interesting quote as it relates to project management. Perhaps you've heard this one before:
General Dwight D. Eisenhower quote “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable,”
In researching the quote, I found an interesting article on the Liquid Planner Blog that emphasizes the importance of continued planning in detail:
http://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/2010/12/8/dwight-was-right-plans-are-useless.html
By the way, if you haven't tried Liquid Planner's unique approach to project scheduling, I encourage you to take it for a test drive...Go ahead and sign up for a free trial.
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
|
|
The Project Management Institute (PMI) has developed a set of criteria and credentials for recognizing Project Management Professionals (PMPs) worldwide. The credentialing process is fairly rigorous, including: three to five documented years of work experience in project management, 35 hours of project management related training, and successful completion of the multiple-choice PMP Exam. The amount of material on the PMP Exam is vast and can seem overwhelming, but don’t be intimidated! Having and using the 7 items in this article will ensure you are prepared to meet the exam head-on and achieve optimal results both on exam day and in your future career.
1. PMP Credential Handbook
Including everything from an overview of the PMI certification program to exam policies and procedures, the PMP Credential Handbook is available for free online at: http://www.pmi.org/Certification/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pdc_pmphandbook.ashx. The first 20 pages of the handbook cover many exam basics and are a must-read for every potential examinee. Becoming familiar with the application process, payment policy, and examination administration rules will go a long way to making the actual exam day less stressful.
2. Time
The material on the PMP Exam is vast and detailed. This is not an examination you can “cram” for in a couple of weekends. Plan to take the exam after spending 10-12 solid weeks of studying for an hour or two nearly every day. Naturally, this schedule will have to be flexible enough to fit in with the rest of your responsibilities and commitments.
3. A Study Plan And Schedule
As project managers, we are well aware of the importance of a plan and schedule. Create a study schedule over 10-12 weeks that fits with the rest of your responsibilities. Depending on your job and household commitments, you may need more or less time. Take a practice exam to evaluate your weaknesses and consider spending more time on those areas. Be realistic in how much material you can cover each day and set weekly goals to track your progress. Don’t forget to include time for refreshing breaks and activities that you enjoy.
4. PMBOK® Guide, 4th Edition
The PMP Exam is based on the most current version of the PMBOK® Guide. Specific principles include communication, cost management, human resources, integration, procurement, quality, risk, scope, and time management. It is essential to understand each of these topics individually and how they work together for overall project management success.
5. Self Study Course
It bears repeating: The PMP Exam covers a large amount of material in a relatively short period of time. Don’t be discouraged! While many project managers are able to successfully schedule their time to achieve optimal results, almost everyone can benefit from an online or self study course.
The latest generation of self study courses come to you as PMP Podcasts/Videocasts, that you download to your laptop or portable player. In this way your PMP Exam preparation becomes completely portable.
Self study PMP Podcasts help divide the material into manageable portions and assist you in developing a successful schedule. Focused instruction over a specific timeline will help you meet your study goals and may count toward the required 35 hours of project management instruction.
6. PMP Exam Prep Book
There are a wide variety of PMP Exam prep books available. Some people call them “study guides”. They complement and explain the dry concepts from the PMBOK Guide and having one at hand in your studies is an absolute must. Go to your local bookstore and select one that fits with your style of learning and covers a variety of high- and low-yield topics.
7. Questions. Questions. Questions.
A large number of free PMP Certification sample questions are available from hundreds of resources on the internet. These free mock exams are a good start, but because they are free they will only go so far for you. You will also want to subscribe to an online PMP Exam Simulator to have access to the highest possible quality of samples.
Your study plan must include answering as many practice questions as possible including at least seven to eight complete 200-question practice exams. This type of preparation will help gauge your study progress and prepare you for the format of the real thing. You will be nervous on exam day, but becoming intimately familiar with types and formats of questions will help reduce anxiety and prepare you for success.
To sum up, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure you are prepared for the PMP Exam. Including these 7 items in your studies will reduce anxiety and eliminate stress associated with the exam day. Study hard and good luck!
About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 10,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com and The PMP Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
|
|
Often touted as “ideal targeted training” for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, many people find PMP boot camps are an attractive option for your PMP Exam Prep.
While boot camps are designed to deliver noticeable results with a high-output of effort in a short period of time, the drawbacks of choosing this path for exam preparation often outweigh the benefits.
Bootcamps may work for some because the instructors are usually highly qualified with master’s degrees, prior training, and years of industry experience. Most also offer a pass guarantee and will assume financial risk if you fail. They may offer to pay for your exam re-take or provide custom coaching and feedback.
Quoting high first- and second-time pass rates, boot camp programs claim to be the ideal package for exam preparation, often including the PMBOK® Guide, a prep guide, test-style prep questions, and meals during classroom sessions. If you would like a surefire way to pass the PMP exam in a short period of time, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for.
However, PMP boot camps definitely have their share of drawbacks and these drawbacks are the reason why I never recommend a bootcamp to any of my students.
Reason #1: Boot camps are expensive.
Designed to be the ideal all-in-one exam preparation experience, the sheer cost of boot camps make them less-than-ideal for those of us on a budget. An intensive 4-day course can cost you several thousand dollars, depending on your location, whether it’s a busy time of year, and the availability of included amenities. While the up-front cost may seem astronomical, check to see if it includes the actual PMP exam fee and comes backed with a pass guarantee. Most boot camp companies will offer to cover tailored tutoring and re-take exam fees if you fail the first or second time. If you fail a third time, they may even offer to let you take the entire 4-day course over again for free.
But all of this comes at a cost. Essentially a pay-to-pass program, boot camps pump a large amount of students through a short-term, high-yield course. Boot camps may only be a viable option if time is more valuable to you than money.
Reason #2: Boot camps are inconvenient.
Unless you live in a large urban area where a course is offered, the 4-day boot camp will usually require travel and hotel accommodations. For most project managers with jobs and families, dropping their responsibilities for four days is not only inconvenient, it’s impossible. Work and life does not stand still (or even slow down!) just because you have an important exam to pass. Most project managers require – and work best with – a study schedule that fits with their lifestyle instead of interrupting it.
Reason #3: Boot camps focus on memorization.
As you are already aware, the PMP exam is based on concepts from the PMBOK® Guide. Specific principles include communication, cost management, human resources, integration, procurement, quality, risk, scope, and time management. The material is broad and the data is often in-depth. So, how do boot camps ensure you thoroughly master and understand these concepts in a mere four days? They don’t.
There is absolutely not enough time in four days to extensively cover concepts and in-depth data. Instead, boot camps focus on rote memorization of high-yield material. While they may be able to guarantee a “first-time pass”, boot camps cannot and do not offer an education that will help you with project management beyond the exam.
Reason #4: Boot camps have limited schedules and openings.
As noted above, the inconvenience of boot camps is often rooted in their location and need for travel away from home. On top of that, many boot camps have limited space and are only able to offer sessions at certain times of the year. If you thought taking time off from work and your family would be difficult, try doing it around their schedule instead of your own. The only available times may be during a busy work crunch or stressful family situation. At best, this may be inconvenient. Often, it is impossible. Project managers with home and work commitments will usually have better success with a study schedule or workshop that still allows them to fulfill their home and work responsibilities.
Reason #5: Boot camp training focuses on passing the exam instead of teaching concepts.
The material on the PMP exam is broad and in-depth. If you are not already familiar with concepts covered in the PMBOK® Guide, boot camps will not be able to help you in a mere four days. As noted in their “guarantee”, boot camps only promise to help you pass the exam. They do not offer an education that will guide or assist you through your career.
One of the secret ingredients to doing well on the PMP exam is understanding of project management principles, both individually and how they work together. Instead of focusing on competency, boot camps rely on rote memorization of high-yield material. While this may result in a high first-time pass rate, it does not ensure that the project manager has learned any skills or gained experience that will help their career beyond exam day.
In conclusion, if your goal is to simply pass the PMP exam without learning new techniques to improve your project management skills, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for. If you are unemployed, single without familial commitments, have more money than you know what to do with, and are simply looking to add credentials to your CV, then a 4-day PMP boot camp will probably serve you well. However, if you are genuinely interested in becoming a better project manager on the road to excelling on the PMP exam, then a more in-depth study approach is what you want.
Successfully passing the PMP Exam and achieving lasting and positive effects on your project management skills involves daily study time for 10 to 12 weeks. Individuals that choose to study on their own should read the PMBOK® Guide twice, utilize an additional PMP self-study preparation book, use an online PMP exam prep course, listen to a PMP Exam Podcast, and tackle as many PMP exam sample questions as possible. Individuals that prefer the structure of a classroom schedule should select a training class that meets for several weeks. Self-study at home will complement the in-class lectures and further solidify the information. Following this approach will ensure that you not only pass the exam, but become a superior project manager along the way.
About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over
10,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at
http://www.pm-prepcast.com and he guides PMI credential holders on earning PDUs
with The PDU Insider at http://www.pdu-insider.com
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 3 of 22 |
|
