WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2019 Project Management Essentials and Exam Preparation Course
Please email eric@qvive.biz (Subject: BMC Project Management) with the exact spelling of your name for the course certificate.
There is no preparation required for the first class meeting, but for those interested in the PMP Exam it is recommended to read PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition, chapters 1-2. PMI members can download a free protected pdf version .
downloads, links & tidbits
PMP & CAPM Exam
Examination Content Outline
June 2015 Exam Content Outline
This worksheet helps you summarize Project Management experience prior to filling out the application online with PMI.
PMP Exam Prep Student Information
Time Management – Precedence Diagram Calculations
How do you calculate critical path and float?
Download this presentation that guides you through creating a precedence diagram and calculations.
PMP Certification Study Books
Other than PMBOK® Guide, which is mandatory reading, it is recommended to avail yourself of one of the following titles:
Kim Heldman Sybex, 2018
Jennifer Greene, Andrew Stellman O’Reilly Media, 2018
Exam prep websites
http://www.deepfriedbrainpmp.com
http://pmstudy.com/examtips.asp
https://www.project-management-prepcast.com/how-to-get-pmp-certification
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
Why do people fail the exam?
Interesting results from a survey by deepfriedbrainpmp.
Bottom line: prepare yourself.
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 stkehlders(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
Has anyone made a study plan – or formed or joined a study group ?
Has anyone set a date for the exam yet ?
Passing the exam is a PROJECT!
What to expect at the Prometric Test Center?
http://www.prometric.com/PMI/default.htm
http://www.prometric.com/TestTakers/FAQs/default.htm
UPDATED EXAM RESULTS INFORMATION
PMI recently 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…
248.906.1526 office
248.231.7452 mobile
weekly log
3/4/19: We’re off to a great start!
Based on the material covered you should be able to answer all “Review week 1” questions [tab 12 in your binder – printed on white paper]. There are answer sheets behind the green questions, and an answer key as well.
We will discuss any questions about these questions next week.
I am looking forward to next week’s class. We will get the formal documentation of the group projects started!
-ERIC
3/11/19: We spent some quality time laying the foundation of project planning. We’ll be picking up steam with the Time 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 any questions that tripped you up thus far. Just ask at the beginning of class.
-ERIC
3/18/19: 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 presentation in the downloads column (LH side), walk through it and make sure you understand what the steps are.
-ERIC
3/25/19: 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.
Take a look at the PMP Exam Prep Student Information presentation, experience worksheet (this link works!), and the PMP Handbook or CAPM Handbook ahead of time.
On Friday 3/29 there will be a make-up session for week 3 (9am) and week 4 (10am). Everybody is welcome to join. We will meet in the Cedar Lake conference room.
-ERIC
4/1/19: We’re just past the mid-way point now, done with Executing with a heavy focus on Human Resource Management.
About conflict resolution … a great way to deal with this in team settings is to use parallel thinking. This technique is explained in The Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono. It is an impressive and simple facilitation tool. The six hats are:
white – neutral, objective, facts and figures
red – emotional
black – cautious, careful, weaknesses
yellow – optimistic, positive
green – creative
blue – (thinking) process focused
I have a presentation that I downloaded a while ago, but don’t have the link anymore. If anyone wants it, please send me an email.
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.
On Monday 4/8 at 4pm there will be a make-up session for week 5. Everybody is welcome to join. We will meet in the Houghton Lake conference room.
-ERIC
4/8/19: Believe it or not, we’re almost there … three more weeks. Bring your questions to class, or email eric@qvive.biz.
We will continue with the “green” practicing with exam questions next week. Make sure to complete the Reviews 1-5 (p.1-8) so we can discuss the sneaky ones next week.
Since we’re shifting into more serious exam preparation, I posted some links to websites with free practice exam questions in the LH column.
-ERIC
4/15/19: Before our final class on 4/29, 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 bring (or email eric@qvive.biz ahead of time) any remaining questions we need to address.
-ERIC
4/22/2019: 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 bring (or email me ahead of time) any remaining questions we need to address.
Here are some interesting insights on cross-cultural negotiations, trust, scheduling, and communications: https://projectmanagers.org/shipyards-cross-cultural-negotiations/
We will discuss some of this related to professional conduct next week.
On Monday 4/29 at 4:30pm there will be a make-up session for week 8. Everybody is welcome to join. We will meet in the Houghton Lake conference room.
-ERIC
4/29/2019: Here’s the link to the Ethical Decision Making Framework.
Here’s the Empty process boxes file as promised.
Feel free to reach out to me about anything “project”, and to schedule your exam readiness assessment.
-ERIC
The information on this page will remain available through the end of 2019.
Email eric@qvive.biz if you need anything you cannot find, or are unable to access.