downloads, links & tidbits


PMP & CAPM Exam

PMP Handbook 

CAPM Handbook

 

Examination Content Outline

June 2015 Exam Content Outline (for exams taken before Jan 1, 2021)*

June 2019/July 2020 Exam Content Outline (for exams taken after Jan 1, 2021)

* The 2020 Fall semester course is aligned with the June 2015 PMP Exam Content Outline for PMP exams taken before January 2, 2021. This change does not affect the CAPM exam.

 

PMI® Experience Verification Worksheet

This worksheet helps you summarize Project Management experience prior to filling out the application online with PMI.


Project Management Information Session 2020-08-25


PMP® Certification Study Books

Other than PMBOK® Guide, which is mandatory reading, it is recommended to avail yourself of one of the following titles:

Rita Mulcahy  RMC Publications, 2018 – Only available directly from publisher: 

https://store.rmcproject.com/shop-rmc

 
Andy Crowe  Velociteach, 2018
 

Jennifer Greene, Andrew Stellman  O’Reilly Media, 2018

 * contents organized by Knowledge Area

Time Management – Precedence Diagram Calculation

How do you calculate critical path and float? 

Download this Calculating Float presentation that guides you through creating a precedence diagram and calculations.


Example of Project Experience Description

There is a maximum of 550 characters allowed, so you can use abbreviations if necessary. Indicate process groups preceding the description. Use PMI terminology showing application of the knowledge areas.

Objective FreeTradeZone Warehouse non-FDA approved products stored/sold markets Caribbean/South America(IN)-Identified stkhlders(PL)-Scope-gathered requirmts defined created WBS w/team (PL)-Cost/Schedule constraints customer’s requirements(PL)-Vendor selection defined criteria warehouse space, billing cycle, history w/Free Trade Zone (EX)-ExecWork material storage warehouse (MC)-Tracked project ensure deliverables avoided unnecessary changes Communicated w/StkHolders kept informed on progress (CL) Project closure w/in budget-schedule

The PMP application description is no longer limited to 550 characters. According to PMI, a typical response is now between 200 to 500 words (not characters).


Exam prep websites

http://www.deepfriedbrainpmp.com

http://www.pmhub.net 

http://pmstudy.com/examtips.asp 

https://www.project-management-prepcast.com/how-to-get-pmp-certification

https://www.pmbypm.com

https://projectmanagement.plus

 

Websites with free PMP® Exam questions

http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmp-self-test/100-free-questions.htm

http://nanacast.com/vp/10002461/490529/20501/

https://www.simplilearn.com/pmp-exam-prep-free-practice-test

http://www.oliverlehmann.com/contents/free-downloads/175_PMP_Sample_Questions.pdf

http://edwel.com/Free-Resources/PMP-Certification-Practice-Exam.aspx

http://www.pmstudy.com/PMP-Exam-Resources/freeSimulatedTest.asp

https://www.greycampus.com/opencampus/project-management-professional/practise-exams

https://www.preparepm.com/mock1.html

 

PMP Process Game

https://www.pmexamcoach.com/pm-exam-process-chart-game


Why do people fail the exam? 

Interesting results from a survey by deepfriedbrainpmp.

Bottom line: prepare yourself.


EXAM RESULTS INFORMATION

PMI updated the Exam Results Report you receive after completing the exam. It now includes Exam Analysis with more specific information on exam performance and next steps in case of failure.


ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE TEST?

Schedule your Exam Readiness Assessment:

a 20 min phone call with your instructor…

eric@qvive.biz

248.906.1526  office

248.231.7452  mobile


MAINTAINING YOUR CREDENTIAL

Once you pass your exam, you have to start working towards maintaining your credential.  This means that you have to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years.  PMI has removed the information about “Continuing Certification Requirements” (CCR) from the PMP Handbook, and put it in a separate Handbook.

According to the CCR Handbook, you need to earn 60 PDUs in two areas:

    • Education
    • Giving Back to the Profession

Education: You need to earn 8 PDUs for each area of the Talent Triangle, and you can claim 11 more PDUs in any area of the Talent Triangle to get to a minimum of 35 PDUs. 

Giving Back to the Profession: You also need to earn a maximum of 25 PDUs for volunteering, creating knowledge, and working as a professional.

CCR Handbook

More about the PMI Talent Triangle

ProjectManagement.com features a plethora of project management webinars, searchable by Talent Triangle area, allows you to use your PMI login, and automatically reports PDUs on the webinars you complete to PMI.

next steps in case of failure.


The PMP® Exam change postponed to January 2, 2021

source:  https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp/exam-prep/changes

“PMI is committed to the safety and well-being of our global community, which is why we have a designated Crisis Task Force that is continuously monitoring the situation arising from coronavirus (COVID-19) daily. 

We are taking additional steps to make this time easier for our community.  As a result, we have decided to extend access to the current PMP exam until 31 December 2020, and postpone the launch of the new exam until 2 January 2021.This postponement will provide candidates with additional time and access to training resources to help them prepare and sit for the exam confidently.

Please bookmark this page, and check back for any updates regarding the exam change.

If you have already scheduled your exam, or plan to do so in the near future, please consult our COVID-19 page for the latest updates and guidance. If you have additional questions or need assistance, please contact Customer Care. ”

 

BELOW IS ORIGINAL POSTING – STILL VALID INFORMATION

Every 3-5 years, PMI® conducts research to understand how the profession has progressed, the impact of emerging trends, and how the responsibilities of project managers have changed. The last round of this research was conducted in 2015 and resulted in the current PMP Exam Content Outline .

Subject matter experts from leading organizations around the world are currently working with PMI® to define the PMP® of the future. As a result of this research the new PMP® Exam Content Outline was published in June of 2019, and on July 1 of 2020 this new outline will lead to an updated PMP® exam.

Here’s the link to the information about this exam change on PMI’s website.

Now available: PMP Examination Content Outline – June 2019

        • The Outline is organized by Domains, Tasks, and Enablers
        • Exam will focus on three new domains: People, Process, and Business Environment
        • About half of the examination will represent predictive project management approaches and the other half will represent agile or hybrid approaches
        • Content that spans the value spectrum, including predictive, agile and hybrid approaches, will be included across the three exam domains
        • Knowledge and Skills (previously listed for each domain or process group) is replaced by Enablers for each Task statement within each of the three domains

What PMI has not shared yet, is the percentage of the exam that is affected by this change (in 2015 this was 25%), and if there will be a period (some 4-6 weeks) during which exam scores will be withheld while the scoring models are being recalibrated.

The July 2019 edition of PMI Today contains an article about the Upcoming Certification Changes.

Here is PMI’s comparison between the 2015 and 2019 PMP Exam Content Outline: 2019 PMP® Exam Content Crossover Map.

The 5 major changes according to projectmanagement.plus

Bottom line: Plan to take the exam before Jan 1, 2021.

Continue to stay informed by checking the information on the PMP Exam page, which I will continue to update here: Read more about the exam change and other exam prep resources.


weekly log


9/15/20: We’re off to a great start!  

Based on the material covered you should be able to answer the “Review week 1” questions [tab 12 in your binder]. We will discuss any questions about these questions next week. 

I am looking forward to next week’s class.  We will get started with the project documentation of the group projects!

-ERIC


9/22/20: We spent some quality time laying the foundation of project planning.  We’ll be picking up steam with the Schedule and Cost knowledge areas next week, and do some more group work to apply the concepts.

Based on the material covered you should be able to answer the “Review week 2” questions. We will discuss the questions that tripped you up.  Just ask at the beginning of the second part of the class.

Here are some sources of templates:

Here’s the Dilbert cartoon about software requirements.

Please email me if there is anything else I needed to follow up on.

-ERIC


9/29/20: We are making good headway with the planning processes. Next week will be a mix of different knowledge areas, and then we’ll move on to Executing.

HOMEWORK: Please download the Precedence Diagram Calculation presentation in the LH column, walk through it and make sure you understand what the steps are.

-ERIC


10/6/20: We’re finally done with planning!  Next week we’re turning the page, and get into Executing.

If you haven’t already done so,  I recommend you to start the exam application on PMI’s website.  You will be able to log in and out of this process, so you can complete it over time – within a 90 day period. How to apply for the PMP Exam. In June 2020 PMI waived the 4500/7500 hour requirements and simplified the application process.

For anyone with a 4 year degree the requirement now simply is: “Minimum three years/36 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience*” (PMP Handbook p.6)

*Leading and directing the project as identified with the tasks, knowledge, and skills specific in the Project Management Professional Examination Content Outline.

Take a look at the PMP Handbook or CAPM Handbook ahead of time.

-ERIC


10/13/20: We’re half-way into this now, and done with Executing with a heavy focus on Human Resource Management.

Next week we will cover Monitoring & Controlling and Closing.

-ERIC


10/20/20: There are only four more weeks left.  We will shift into heavy duty practicing with exam questions starting next week.

If anything is unclear up to this point and needs to be addressed, you have to let me know.

Thanks Diane for sending me the PMP Experience Overview form of the exam application.  Please read page 7 of the PMP Handbook to understand how to overlapping experience will be accounted for on your exam application. In short “For each month in which you worked on multiple, overlapping projects, you can only count the time spent on ONE of those projects toward fulfilling your eligibility requirements.”

-ERIC


10/27/20: Believe it or not, we’re almost there … three more weeks. Bring your questions to class, or email eric@qvive.biz.

Since we’re shifting into more serious exam preparation, consider using the links to websites with free practice exam questions in the LH column.

Also, you should be able to complete the first section of the “green” questions, which we started working on in class. I expect there to be questions about these, to be discussed next Tuesday.

ZOOM Study group: The study group will be active through the end of the year, and you’re welcome to join. Email Clark Edwards clarkedwards@hotmail.com with your name and phone number and he will let you know when they meet.

-ERIC


11/3/20: Before our final class on 11/17, please read PMI’s Code of Ethics.

Here’s the link to the pdf file of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct on PMI’s website.

With only two weeks left, make sure to email eric@qvive.biz any remaining questions we need to address. Just a list of question numbers of the green questions would be good.

-ERIC


11/10/20: It was great to learn how you are building momentum in studying, between self study, group study, and the study group with Clark Edwards. He called me this morning about the sudden influx of 5 new people … great!

For next week: Remember to read PMI’s Code of Ethics. 

The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct can be found on PMI’s website, here’s the link: PMI Code of Ethics

Make sure to email me any remaining questions we need to address.

-ERIC


11/17/20: Here’s the link to the Ethical Decision Making Framework.

Here’s the Empty process boxes file as promised. 

All the information will stay up on this website until at least January (well past the exam change). So get what you need before it’s gone, or email me if you need anything at a later date.

Email me to schedule the exam readiness assessment.

Thanks for being a great class group!

And now … go pass your exam! … and drop me a note with the good news.

-ERIC


The PMP Exam is now online

https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pm

the most recent PMP Handbook for complete PMP Examination information (p.15).

Take note of the following changes:

  • Instead of paper and pen you will have to use an online “whiteboard”
  • There is an optional 5 minute tutorial preceding the exam, which can be used to make notes and do a “memory dump” off the clock
  • The exam is split up in two equal parts of 120 min and 100 questions with a 10 min break in between
  • Once your break has begun, you will NOT be able to go back into the first part

Regarding Pearson VUE online proctoring:

  • Download the OnVUE online proctoring software in advance
  • System test before the exam using the software
  • You are required to present a current , government-issued ID
  • The name in your PMP exam application must match the name on your ID
  • The Proctor will scan your room and check for books, notepads, notes, papers, pens/pencils, etc
  • You are not allowed to wear long sleeves, watch, or any devices

Pearson VUE online proctored exam PMI

Here’s a blog of someone documenting the whole experience: https://worldofprojectmanagement.com/pmi-online-exam-experience/