PMP-An Introduction

By: Pradeep Patel PMP

Webinar Session on:18-Dec-2011

WHY to become a PMP

I prefer to work with People rather than machines
I learnt Progamming language to work with machines and PMP principles to work with people.

To become a successful project management professional(I did not say Project manager), you need to be aware of best practices and more importantly bad practices so that you dont fall prey to them.PMP guidelines preaches these fundamentals. Following are the additional points for which people become PMP. PMP principles and methodologies are applicable to cross domain industries. PMP is recognized across multiple industry verticals. There are less than 10 lac PMPs across the globe. PMP are comparatively paid higher than their non PMP counterparts (if financial benefits interest you!)

PMP-Quick Facts
PMP exam is conducted by PMI(http://www.pmi.org). PMI conducts PMP exam across many global centers, in collaboration with Prometric test centers. You can apply anytime round the year, after fulfilling the PMP exam pre-requisites. Exam consists of 200 MCQs, with time limit of 4 hours, out of which 25 questions are not considered for evaluation. These questions are part of the Research work that PMI conducts through candidates (Bad thing..You dont know which these questions are). PMP exam costs $555 for a single attempt. Alternatively, if you purchase PMI membership for $129, the exam fee is reduced to $405. There is a limit of 3 attempts in a year(provided you qualify PMP pre-requisites). Post these 3 attempts youll need to wait for one year, before re-taking the exam.

Am I Eligible for PMP

You need to fulfill some requirements laid down by PMI before applying for PMP examination.

If You are a Diploma Holder

Minimum 5 years/7,500 hours project management work experience(not necessarily Project manager role) 35 Contact hours of formal project management training.

If you are a Graduate

Minimum 3 years/4,500 hours project management work experience(not necessarily Project manager role) 35 Contact hours of formal project management training.
You need to have experience in all Process Groups(Discussed later) across all project management experience, submitted in application. However on a single project you dont need to have experience in all 5 process groups

What is PMBOK

PMBOK stands for Project Mangement Body of Knowledge This is a book published and maintained by PMI( currently Fourth edition is available) PMI publishes its principles and methodologies in this book and is the main reference material for PMP exam. PMBOK classifies the project management phases into Process Groups, Knowledge Areas and Processes. It has 5 Process Groups There are 9 Knowledge Areas There are 42 processes spanning across Process Groups and Knowledge Areas.

Process Groups, Knowledge Area, Processes

Process Groups

Knowledge Areas

Processes

Process Groups

Integration Management

Scope Management

Time Management Human Resources Management

Cost Management

Quality Management

Communications Management

Risk Management

Procurement Management

Initiating Integration Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources

Develop Project Charter

Planning
Develop Project Management Plan

Executing
Direct &Manage Project Execution

Monitoring & Control

Monitor & Control Project Work Perform Integrated Change Control Verify scope Control Scope Control Schedule

Closing
Close Project or Phase

Collect Requirements Defines Scope Create WBS Define Activities Sequence Activities Estimate Activity Resources Estimate Activity Duration Define Scope Estimate Costs Determine Budget Plan Quality Perform Quality Assurance Acquire Project Team Develop Project Team Manage Project Team

Control Costs

Perform Quality Control

Develop Human Resources Plan

Communications Risk

Identify Stakeholders

Plan Communications

Distribute Information Manage Stakeholder Expectation

Report Performance

Plan Risk Management Identify Risk Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis Plan Risk Response Plan Procurements Conduct Procurements

Monitor & Control Risk

Procurement

Administer Procurements

Close Procurements

How is Exam Structured

Exam consists of 200 questions, out of which only 175 are taken into consideration for exam score.25 questions are survey questions. Domain wise distribution of questions is summarized in the table-1 PMP Process Group Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring &Control Closing Percentage of Questions 11 23 27 21 9

Professional and Social Responsibility

Table-1

Professional and Social Responsibility

Professional and Social Responsibility is set of guidelines laid down by PMI(code of Ethics and Professional Conduct), that should be followed by every recognized PMP. These guidelines are the critical points that distinguishes PMP professionals among others. These guidelines are downloadable from PMI.org
Four Pillars of these guidelines are Responsibility Respect Fairness Honesty There are two aspects of these guidelines, one is what is expected (Aspirational) and the other one is Mandatory. IF Mandatory guidelines are voilated and reported to PMI, it can lead to cancellation of your PMP certification.

Complete 35 Contact hours Training

(Valid for One Year )

Application Submission
(Once started on PMI site, the application should be completed within 90 days)

Application Completeness Review

It takes 5 days, after which you get an email from PMI, to proceed with scheduling Exam
This form is valid for 1 year and you can schedule your Exam within 1 year of the confirmation by PMI. If You do not get the mail within 1 week(7 days) from the date of form Submission, BAD NEWS..your Application has fallen in AUDIT Process Within 90 days of the intimation by PMI, you need to submit Audit material as indicated by PMI .It takes 5-7 days for PMI to process the audit material. If found satisfactory, the approval is given and the validity of Approval starts(1 Year)

Thank You!
For Any Queries/Suggestions Please mail me at : pradeeppatelpmp@gmail.com
The explanation of the topics covered in the webinar are available at http://trainwithpradeep.webs.com/apps/blog/show/8626492-pmp-an-introduction