Bennett WeidemannAI Solutions Architect/Evangelist| ConsultantSan Antonio, Tx, United States
The pursuit of the coveted PMP certification can be as varied as the weather. Project Management is so diversified, it amazes me how many different souls in our world are out there leading the charge to improving their businesses, controlling risk, and ensuring quality deliverables. I stumbled into PM on accident, no really! I had no idea how in-demand the Project Management world had become . . . or that it even existed.
It took me all three times to pass the exam . . . and what a struggle it was! If there's anyone out there that has all but given up, let me encourage you to stick with it. If I've learned one thing in life, it's that failure can be an amazing motivator.
I attended a typical PMP boot camp, learned a ton, got audited, failed the first test, studied, studied, studied, and failed the second test. Then I had a moment of clarity. The test is in a vacuum, and the real world is not.To me, PM is really about the risk, the quality, and how do you control and change it with your team.
The test wants to know how are you going to deal with these things when it all goest wrong? Bottom line: 1. Immerse yourself in the PM world - the terms, the language, the process groups and the knowledge areas. 2. Master the areas of risk, quality, and integrated change control 3. Simulate the 4 hour test many times to get your head in the game. This is what got me over the finish line!
I'm curious to know if there's anyone in the two-time failure club that has a word of encouragement? Saving Changes...
Joseph PanganSenior Principal Consultant| Genpact PhilippinesAngeles City, Philippines, Philippines
Awesome story Bennett.
Congratulations!!! Saving Changes...
Usha KumariSr. Technology Service Lead| NordeaStockholm Ians, Sweden
Congratulation :) and many thanks for sharing your experience. Saving Changes...
Alfred HortonCEO & President| AOC Connect, LLCLovettsville, Va, United States
Great discussion topic. To understand the intricacies of the PMP test and get the full benefits of the certification, it helps to have worked through various stages on the PM cycle for a long period of time; even more than the required PM hours to sit for the test. In my case, this meant that I had been away from academics for quite some time before taking the coursework and the PMP exam. I believe that this is a rather natural situation which can make the process even more difficult. Although the PMP exam was probably the most difficult exam I have ever undertaken, completing the certification left me feeling more accomplished than many things I have done. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in achieving the pinnacle of project management to just put your head down and drive on. It will be worth the work. Saving Changes...
LORI WILSONRETIRED - Technical Project Manager| RETIRED - LifePoint HealthClarkston, Wa, United States
Hello Bennett: I didn't pass my first time either. The PMP exam was challenging for me, but I was determined to try again and pass believing I am a solid project manager and knowing how much I love this profession. If I could have spoken my responses to each question, I knew I would have passed the first time. It was hard for me to wrap my brain around the "most right" response to each question. Sometimes I didn't like any of the semi-accurate responses that were my options. Thank you for bravely addressing your experience - it makes people like me feel better to know others found it hard - and when I passed I was so grateful and relieved and proud to have that PMP certification! Saving Changes...
Angele DiboueIT Business Consultant| CTGAnchorage, Ak, United States
Find inspiring that you didn't give up. Saving Changes...
Great advice, never quit. I think that after studying all theory themes, it's fundamental to practice with a good simulator, so we can learn to manage with the complexity of questions and administrate time expended in aswering each of them. Saving Changes...
The one positive thing that we can all take from successfully passing the PMP exam after failing a number of times is that those who really want to be certified Project Managers, who have a passion for the profession and who see the benefits of applying proven methodologies based on real world experience, are the ones who will grow and expand the profession and uphold the same high standards that they were confronted with to be a certified PMP. Saving Changes...
Jochen ThomasProject Manager| SASSanford, Nc, United States
Bennett, agree fully that the test is not the real world and to pass you need to study for the test. Honestly you can't rely on your real experience which as project management professional we tend to lean on.
I also believe that the industry that you have an experience base in shades your view of PMBOK. I like you have worked in the govt sector where often cost isn't part of the critical pyramid as it is in the training material.
I also found that the test guide put out by PMBOK is a great study tools that many folks don't use. Saving Changes...
Yousaf KhanPM Consultant| City of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada
Apr 13, 2019 8:26 PM
Replying to Walter Macias
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I have heard that it is a complicated test, in this year I plan to take it. After reading your anecdote you inspire me not to faint in the attempt
So not rely on the PMBOK alone as it's not a teaching document. I suggest the Exam Prep book by Riya Mulcahy which frames the exam perfectly to enable you to think PMP. The PMI framework is the best practices in a very mature PM organization (OPM4-5). Since most orgs do not perform at this level, many have difficulty answering questions from their past experiences. Saving Changes...
