Does anyone here have experience making or creating a study guide based on the PMBOK or other learning resources?
I know study guides are usually fairly small, but with the PMBOK containing so much information and parts, what would you focus on when creating this guide?
My idea is to create the study guide based on the bullet points of each section described on the CAPM exam outline. But would this be enough to effectively study from or what else should be added in addition?
I started using a legal pad to begin a study guide and I also write key notes in a small pad that's 6" x 4" to carry with me on the go. (Typically what I learn from the slide notes in my lecture goes in to that book). Saving Changes...
It is a bit hard and general what you are asking, in my opinion, it is cover to cover and more important is the professional experience Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Hi Michael,
I have created a study guide for PMP preparation which can easily be used for CAPM prep also.
That guide works like your very own study plan and you can easily customize and toggle it to your personal preferences.
You can find it at my website projectmanagement.plus or just write me a short message if you want to have a look.
Regards,
Markus Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
On the second go around I created my study guide. I went through each chapter and took notes as I saw appropriate based on the first read through and what I felt I needed to provide a nice condensed version of what I felt was the 'core' need - this was in conjunction with separate efforts on terms with flash cards and a grid I created for ITTO's. I also had a mindmap I'd draw each day to solidify the overall general process flows. That was really helpful b/c I could organically expand out certain areas based on what I was learning.
Hope you find that helpful.
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1 reply by Michael Brian
Jun 02, 2018 8:32 AM
Michael Brian
...
Gives a pretty good idea.
Definitely sounds like a lot and very time consuming though. My current issue is in fact time to study. I have a very small window to get things done daily with the exception of weekends where I can find more time. My work hours conflict and provide me with a restricted or limited window.
So far my methods have been working I would say, but I think the true test of that will be once I dive in to Integration next week. Starting to go through the knowledge areas will be the main course of this meal and I know the ITTOs are coming with that.
I am hopeful to integrate that more effectively versus how my studying for terms is going. With limited time, trying to divide the work without feeling I am neglecting important tasks is a bit of a challenge for me. I've also been on call the past 2 weeks as well, so sometimes distractions come after hours or you find yourself having days where you just need to push for more effort.
I have a feeling it may take me a bit longer than most to be ready for exam. Aside from that, the unknown of what this certification can do or not do for me comes to mind often. As I have no experience outside of my field, my concern is will this certification help advance me or give me an edge or will it ultimately not make a difference and force me to take a big chance outside of this application (freight forwarding/logistics).
As you all know, this type of learning and testing takes tremendous effort and sacrifice. I just hope my interest in PM skills/work is the right route to bring me to the next level positional/financial. Hard to find sources online and even jobs in terms or PM work relating directly to logistics and freight forwarding. That makes me a bit nervous lol.
On the second go around I created my study guide. I went through each chapter and took notes as I saw appropriate based on the first read through and what I felt I needed to provide a nice condensed version of what I felt was the 'core' need - this was in conjunction with separate efforts on terms with flash cards and a grid I created for ITTO's. I also had a mindmap I'd draw each day to solidify the overall general process flows. That was really helpful b/c I could organically expand out certain areas based on what I was learning.
Hope you find that helpful.
Gives a pretty good idea.
Definitely sounds like a lot and very time consuming though. My current issue is in fact time to study. I have a very small window to get things done daily with the exception of weekends where I can find more time. My work hours conflict and provide me with a restricted or limited window.
So far my methods have been working I would say, but I think the true test of that will be once I dive in to Integration next week. Starting to go through the knowledge areas will be the main course of this meal and I know the ITTOs are coming with that.
I am hopeful to integrate that more effectively versus how my studying for terms is going. With limited time, trying to divide the work without feeling I am neglecting important tasks is a bit of a challenge for me. I've also been on call the past 2 weeks as well, so sometimes distractions come after hours or you find yourself having days where you just need to push for more effort.
I have a feeling it may take me a bit longer than most to be ready for exam. Aside from that, the unknown of what this certification can do or not do for me comes to mind often. As I have no experience outside of my field, my concern is will this certification help advance me or give me an edge or will it ultimately not make a difference and force me to take a big chance outside of this application (freight forwarding/logistics).
As you all know, this type of learning and testing takes tremendous effort and sacrifice. I just hope my interest in PM skills/work is the right route to bring me to the next level positional/financial. Hard to find sources online and even jobs in terms or PM work relating directly to logistics and freight forwarding. That makes me a bit nervous lol.
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1 reply by Drew Craig
Jun 02, 2018 9:10 AM
Drew Craig
...
Yes, it did take time. There is no shortcut here. And you asked :)
I finished in a weekend, then typed it up. Professional development as adults with FT jobs, responsibilities, children, etc., is hard. No doubt there. I benefited from using my commute,
during lunch, then a couple hours after dinner each day, then longer sessions on weekends. It took me about 6 months altogether. The benefit of going through the note-taking exercise is to reduce the conglomeration of the PMBOK to a nice stapled booklet of notes for you to easily read anywhere, and the ability to add notes in there as you read (I've written about this elsewhere, and I believe you commented on it).
In the end, you have to follow on what works for you. I had learned that technique when studying for a bunch of Microsoft and college exams years back. Take it for what its worth to you.
P.S. It does not matter what or how long others did for the exam. Take what others do and map it to what works for you. Who cares how long John Smith took to prepare, or if he passed on the first time, or thought it was easy. This journey is about you.
Good luck on your prep and exam.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Jun 02, 2018 8:32 AM
Replying to Michael Brian
...
Gives a pretty good idea.
Definitely sounds like a lot and very time consuming though. My current issue is in fact time to study. I have a very small window to get things done daily with the exception of weekends where I can find more time. My work hours conflict and provide me with a restricted or limited window.
So far my methods have been working I would say, but I think the true test of that will be once I dive in to Integration next week. Starting to go through the knowledge areas will be the main course of this meal and I know the ITTOs are coming with that.
I am hopeful to integrate that more effectively versus how my studying for terms is going. With limited time, trying to divide the work without feeling I am neglecting important tasks is a bit of a challenge for me. I've also been on call the past 2 weeks as well, so sometimes distractions come after hours or you find yourself having days where you just need to push for more effort.
I have a feeling it may take me a bit longer than most to be ready for exam. Aside from that, the unknown of what this certification can do or not do for me comes to mind often. As I have no experience outside of my field, my concern is will this certification help advance me or give me an edge or will it ultimately not make a difference and force me to take a big chance outside of this application (freight forwarding/logistics).
As you all know, this type of learning and testing takes tremendous effort and sacrifice. I just hope my interest in PM skills/work is the right route to bring me to the next level positional/financial. Hard to find sources online and even jobs in terms or PM work relating directly to logistics and freight forwarding. That makes me a bit nervous lol.
Yes, it did take time. There is no shortcut here. And you asked :)
I finished in a weekend, then typed it up. Professional development as adults with FT jobs, responsibilities, children, etc., is hard. No doubt there. I benefited from using my commute,
during lunch, then a couple hours after dinner each day, then longer sessions on weekends. It took me about 6 months altogether. The benefit of going through the note-taking exercise is to reduce the conglomeration of the PMBOK to a nice stapled booklet of notes for you to easily read anywhere, and the ability to add notes in there as you read (I've written about this elsewhere, and I believe you commented on it).
In the end, you have to follow on what works for you. I had learned that technique when studying for a bunch of Microsoft and college exams years back. Take it for what its worth to you.
P.S. It does not matter what or how long others did for the exam. Take what others do and map it to what works for you. Who cares how long John Smith took to prepare, or if he passed on the first time, or thought it was easy. This journey is about you.
Good luck on your prep and exam. Saving Changes...
I agree. One tip going through the PMBOK guide that I learned from a YouTube video (related to text books) was that in each paragraph, you should read the first sentence and the last sentence. Majority of cases these will quickly introduce what the paragraph is discussing and give you a sort of summary without needing the additional wordiness.
I have found this most helpful and often highlight these first in the PMBOK while quickly skimming the middle parts of each paragraph to see if there's anything additional I find useful.
This also helps me take effective notes on key areas along with observing the diagrams that pop up. I notice when reading what I highlight out loud, it tends to flow and give a pretty good summary of the chapter. Also makes it easier for me to find the areas of understanding when answering each bullet point of the exam outline for that particular section.
Although the PMBOK is a guide, I really do wish each chapter had a question of understanding section. This would really help break down the chapters and put your thinking in to search and destroy mode. That's where Rita's book comes in handy, but too bad for us CAPMers lol. No update until end of year. Saving Changes...
Faisal PatelSVP; Strategy/Solution Manager; Accessibility Champion| Bank of AmericaWest Hills, Ca, United States
Excellent topic Michael. Personally am a big proponent of study guides. My practice is as I read, I will mark the important items. At the end of the chapter create a study guide. Before starting the next chapter, will re-read the study guide; this gives a good refreshed continuation to the chapters. By the end; it usually turns out to be 2 pages max. per chapter for a quick refresher when needed.
Call me old school - I believe in hand written notes as they promote memory retention versus typing or taking voice notes. Also, internet is full of helpful people sharing the study notes. Personally I beleive that's nice of them to share and may offer a good quick read but a study note should be slef-created as we each have our own style which works best for us.
Couple of resources that I used was PMBOK only for my study guide. Rita and Head First were a good reference but for the study notes, I stuck to the PMBOK only. Saving Changes...
