Project PMP Certification

Author: Bhupinder Singh, PMP

Type of document: Project Study Plan

Contents
1) Introduction:.................................................................................................................... 2

2) About Me:.......................................................................................................................... 2 3) Story: ................................................................................................................................. 2 4) Lessons Learned:............................................................................................................. 6 5) Some Important Tips for PMP aspirants: ................................................................... 7 6) References and Exam sources: ..................................................................................... 7 7) My Project Management Plan of PMP: ........................................................................ 8 8) The End Result:................................................................................................................ 8

Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned

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PMP Plan Report

1) Introduction: The purpose of this document is to refer and plan for PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification sponsored by Project Management Institute, USA. This document gives detailed explanations on my study plan and path through PMP certification. The views expressed in this document are my own. However, people may be having differences of opinions then those mentioned here. This document can be used as guidance but does insist on that PMP study should be planned in the ways mentioned here. I had referred many online sources and taken advice from people while studying for PMP Exam. I have tried to recognize most of them in References and Sources section. 2) About Me: Well, here is a little Bio of me. I am Bhupinder Singh. When I am not working, I enjoy surfing net, reading newspaper, watching news and reading e-books on self improvements and communications skills. I am simple down-to-earth person with moderate and traditional values. I am working in CSC and have 10+ years of experience inn IT. I am a commence graduate and OCP certified. 3) Story: I give me immense happiness to announce and express my desire to let you know that I have successfully experienced PMP Exam on 5th July 2011. I can say that I have passed PMP with flying colours. Overall, I was moderately proficient in all other knowledge areas except one where I was below proficient on the score report. 5th July 2011 is the day on which I officially associated with Project Management even though I am trying to practice it since 2007. I would like to thank everyone who was directly or indirectly involved in guiding me for valuable information which indeed was great source of learning for me. I would like to share my thoughts as under. It took me almost a year to prepare for PMP exam because I was involved in other equally important goals/tasks in my life. I am preparing for MBA in Project Management which is also important to me. Since I am working in the field of IT, my work commitments were top most important to me. I would like to share my PMP study process and lessons learned with you all. Hope it will be helpful to all the PMP aspirants. I have taken many efforts to prepare this document so that future PMP aspirants can benefit from it.  The journey of my Project Management was started way back in the year 2007. I did a lot of research on internet and filled my application for CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) which is valuable entry level certification for project practitioners. My application was approved by PMI but I did not appear for the exam. Instead, thought of having some more experience and apply directly for PMP. Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned Page 2

PMP Plan Report

 I started planning for PMP exam in July 2010 and purchased PMPrepcast and started listening to video lectures on project management. I had watched all the lectures of PMPrepcast and appeared for their final assessment to receive 35 contact hours certificate which is required to file for PMP application. I have listened PMPrepcast for two times.  Although I had gained 35 contact hours certificate in September 2010 but was not ready to appear for PMP exam.  In the meantime, my MBA exam dates declared. I had to stop PMP preparation so that prepare for MBA exam.  Results of MBA 1st and 2nd semester were declared in March 2011 and passed both the semesters with very good marks.  Now it was the right time to start preparing for PMP exam again. This time I had prepared a full study plan of 3 months. This study plan was my Project Management Plan for the next 3 months. I was updating this study plan regularly for any change in my schedule most of the time I was stick to my schedule.  I purchased PMBOK Guide and Kim Heldmans book from www.amazon.com  Took a big step to file PMP application on 20th May 2011. I had prepared a sheet in my study plan for the experience to show on PMP application. Even, I had filtered my total experience as per all five knowledge areas which helped me to save time while filling my application online. I can say minimum 4-5 hours are required to fill the application. I have taken screen shots of all the steps which may help future PMP aspirants.  My application was approved within five working days and received email notification from PMI to schedule my exam. I immediately registered for the exam in Prometric Centre based in Knowledge Village, Dubai. I booked exam slot of 12.00PM. Now my PMP target date was before me and planned all the things as per PMP exam. Adjusted all other plans as per PMP study. At this point in time, my top priorities were PMP exam and pass it in first attempt.  Started reading PMBOK Guide. Believe me; this PM bible is very dry. Sometimes I was feeling sleepy while reading the book. It took more than 20 days to finish 1st reading of PMBOK. Eventually with 2nd and 3rd reading, started gaining confidence that I can pass my PMP exam. Yes, I read PMBOK Guide for 3 times. By this time I had started understanding the terms and concepts used in PMBOK Guide.  I just read Kim Heldmans book once but the CD included in the book is really useful. It consists of chapter wise questions along with explanation of each right answer. Mock tests and flash cards are useful. Many questions are very wordy which gives Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned Page 3

PMP Plan Report

real time experience of actual PMP exam but sometimes creates confusion that why so many wordy questions.  Purchased Andy Crowes The PMP Exam paper book from www.flipcart.com in India. This was the best book for my PMP preparation. Very easy language and to the point to prepare for the exam. Additionally, InSite code was there in the book to register online for latest practice questions and mock exams. This was valid only for one week from the day it is registered on the site. I had registered for this online source exactly one week before the exam. Online practice questions with explanations of each correct answer gave me full confidence. Practice exam questions at the end of each chapter were also very helpful. I read this book two times.  Started appearing for practice tests, muck tests and simulation exams from 15th June 2011 onward. I had kept these days for answering questions only. I was keeping log of each practice exam and scoring rate. I use to write improvement areas and my weak points in this log file.  Gone through PMFAST Track and many other free questions on internet.  Downloaded Oliver Lehmans 175 Prep Questions and answered only 100 (58%) correctly. This was beginning of my practice questions so I was satisfied with my score but time management (Timing to answer all questions) was a problem. It took 3.5 hours to finish 175 questions. Started planning to answer each practice question within one minute only. These questions and other free sample questions can be found on www.oliverlehmann.com  I thought of memorizing ITTOs and took printout of all the ITTOs. The moment I started memorizing it, trapped in it and a total 512 ITTOs are too much. Memorizing the same was confusing me. I decided to understand the concept behind each input, tool & technique and output. No need to cramp ITTOs. Rather I understood the ITTOs.  I had reserved a day to read glossary of PMBOK Guide and Andy Crowes book. It was important to read it once because many questions came directly from glossary in my real exam.  Installed many PMP applications on my iPhone. These applications are free in iPhone apps store. Can be easily downloaded and installed on iPhone. It helped to understand knowledge areas and process groups.  I answered almost 2000 questions while practising question answers along with sample questions, simulation and mock tests. Only 5-10% of the questions were repeating questions.

Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned

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PMP Plan Report

 I had appeared for three mock tests of 200 questions each. I was able to finish these mock tests within 3.5 hours which gave confidence that I will be able to finish real exam on time.  Initially I was scoring 40 45% in practice exams but slowly improved and two-three days from the exam I had started scoring 70-80% which was good score according to me.  Visited exam centre one week before the exam to have confirmation on identity cards to show at the time of exam. It was mentioned on scheduling notice that two photo identity cards are required with matching name which is appearing on scheduling notice. I was told at the centre that only one identity card will be enough. Visiting exam centre before the exam helped to match my timing on the day of the exam & avoided last minute delay and any confusion.  I had prepared a check list to refer on or before one day of the exam. This was to ensure that everything is as per plan and I should not forget anything which can create chaos at the time my exam.  I did not practice any question before one day of the exam. Just referred glossary given at the end of PMBOK Guide and had good night sleep so that I will be fresh on the exam day.  Came to office and had light breakfast. Informed my manager and headed straight to exam centre. My reporting at the centre was 11.30AM but reached there at 10.30AM. There were three candidates for PMP exam.  Referred ITTOs once and had some light snacks. Reported at the reception and officials me to be seated. They gave me a locker at 11.30AM sharp and told me to dump all the belongings inside that. Even, I was told to show inside out of my pockets. I was just allowed to keep passport with me.  Now it was pressure moment for me but I kept my cool. I was aware that next 4 hours will decide PASS or FAIL for me.  My exam was started at 11.45AM. Initially 15 minutes tutorial came which I just read for 2-3 minutes and went straight into the exam.  First 40 questions where very wordy and I marked most of them for review. I thought it is going to be a tough exam for me. Later, short questions started appearing which I answered easily. As many as 100 questions were of this type. Now I had started gaining confidence that I can pass the exam.  Questions related to backward pass, forward pass, float and free floats were totally brain wash for me at that time. I just guessed answers to those questions. A total of 57 questions were related to these topics. Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned Page 5

PMP Plan Report

 My plan was to take maximum two breaks during the exam if am able to finish 200 questions within 3 hours but it took 3.10 hours to finish. So decided to take one break of 5 minutes. I was having 45 minutes to review all the marked questions.  Took a break of 5 minutes. I had some snacks, water and went to wash room.  I had marked approx. 15% questions for review. I just had a look on marked questions only. I changed my original choice for 5-6 questions only. I managed to review all the marked questions in 30 minutes.  For the next 10 minutes I was just praying and controlling my heart beat. Took final step to click on End the Exam button and closed by eyes. It was the nervous moment of my life.  Finally Congratulations appeared on the screen and it was an emotional moment for me. I cannot express in words. There were tears of joy in my eyes. I thank God for this success and felt relieved.  I have received a score report showing moderately proficient in all the areas except below proficient in one area of Monitoring & Controlling Process Group.  Came out from the exam hall and prometric staff handed over score report to me. Felt on top of the world having score report in hands.  Called family and all near & dear ones to share my success and happiness in the exam. 4) Lessons Learned:  There is a big room of improvement required in the Monitoring & Controlling Process Group. This is the area which requires most of my attention in my project management carrier. I should be more focused in this area.  Although I am considered moderately proficient in Closing Process Group in PMP exam but still think that I need more understanding of this process. Taking the things to closure with proper process should be most important.  No need to memorize the things. Understanding the concepts should be enough.  I just wrote few formulas in 15 minutes of allotted pre exam time. Try to write down key formulas in the 15 minutes provided before starting the exam. I was struggling to recall EAC formula for atypical scenario question.  Page 43 of PMBOK Guide should be by hearted before the exam.

Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned

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PMP Plan Report

5) Some Important Tips for PMP aspirants:  Have a detailed study plan with Milestones and Buffers and stick to it.  Dont dwell on any question too long. Take advantage of the Mark for Review feature and skip to the next question if one poses too much trouble. Mostly exam should finish before 3.15 hours and use the rest of the time for this review.  Be sure to read every question carefully. Wording is very important and can imply more to the situation beyond the obviously stated question.  Be sure to study and memorize the HR concepts and their founders (e.g. Herzberg, Maslow, McGregor).  Be sure to study Quality concepts and tools. There are bound to be several questions specifically related to the various tools (e.g. Pareto charts, run charts, control charts, statistical sampling techniques, etc.).  Be sure to understand the acronyms for contract types.  Be sure to be familiar with the communications model and the terms tight matrix and loose matrix  Read regarding delegation of authority and the power PM is practising.  Read regarding Ethical Code.  There will never be the perfect time for the exam but highly recommended to register for exam and plan study accordingly.  Understand the PMBOK Guide and make your mind that PMBOK is the perfect bible you have to answer exam questions as per PMBOK Guide.  Read PMBOK Guide page to page (start to end)  Last but not the least writes your lessons learned and share your knowledge with others. 6) References and Exam sources: http://sites.google.com/site/pgmpguide/ http://sites.google.com/site/pmpbank/pmpbankmainpage http://www.pmpexamsimulator.com/?hop=dgiles63 -- Order this exam simulator http://www.pmhub.net/pmsuccess/Menu.htm Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned Page 7

PMP Plan Report

http://www.examcentral.net/pmp/pmp-exam-questions http://www.edwel.com/courses/pmp-certification-exam-prep/pmp-exam-200-practicequestions http://project-management-knowledge.com/ http://pmp.groupsite.com Good PMP groups http://www.pmhub.net/wp/pmdigest/ -- Good PMP groups http://www.pmsoft.com/Free-serv-Try-PMP-Mock-Test.aspx http://pmp.cexams.com/mocktest/index.php?test_id=1&st=PMP%20Mock%20Test%20 -%2001 http://www.squidoo.com/pmp-certification-exam-free-sample-questions http://www.indicareer.com/sample-questions/pmp-sample-questions/pmp-samplequestions.html http://www.pmroadtrip.com/index.html -- This was very good source but site closed from 1st July 2011 onward http://www.voightps.de/Free_PMP_Exam.asp -- Very good practice exam question answers http://www.pmconnection.com/index.php http://www.ajithn.com/login.php -- Good for practicing but answers are not provided. http://www.headfirstlabs.com/PMP/pmp_exam/v1/quiz.html -- (Very important) http://www.effectivepmc.com/registertest1 -- (Very important) -- Managed by a couple in Mumbai. Upon registering on the site, you will receive a free question daily through email. They also sponsor free Simulation Examination (200 Questions) 7) My Project Management Plan of PMP: I can share my PMP study plan if it is really required. Instead, I will recommend preparing your own study plan and you will be much familiar with it then. 8) The End Result: Three magic words PMP started appearing with my name immediately after passing PMP exam on 5th July 2011.

Good Luck and all best to all future PMP aspirants Bhupinder Singh, PMP

Bhupinder Singhs PMP Lessons Learned

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