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...
I was fortunate to pass the first time but I would never forget the day i wrote my PMP Exam. I studied a ton, did a lot of test questions, even did a PMP prep course. I had scheduled my exam for a Tuesday. On Monday morning was wife was involved in a hit and run accident (Thankfully she has fully recovered). I slept on a chair in the hospital beside her bed. She told me if I miss the exam, this memory will forever be a horrible memory. Long story short, I have no idea how I passed the exam with above target in all areas except for one. Saving Changes...
Edward HsuProcess Improvement AnalystReno, Nv, United States
I don't think it can be stressed enough that perseverance is key to passing the test even after failing. I attended a PMP boot camp with several co-workers. All but one of us passed on the first attempt. The one who did not pass immediately signed up to take the test again and continued studying. I am confident he will pass his next time around. Saving Changes...
Christina LynchFinance Strategy & Operations| NikePortland, Or, United States
Congratulations Bennett, and thank you for the inspiration! It's good to be reminded of the power that comes when you get back up after falling down. Saving Changes...
Victor GinobaBusiness Analyst| HarmoniaDumfries, Va, United States
Congratulations! What a great milestone. I should hope to pass the PMP sometime in the near future. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Bennet
Interesting your reflection
Thanks for sharing
Congratulations on always trying and getting your certification Saving Changes...
Yuriy SimonoffSenior Project Manager| N/ABuffalo Grove, Il, United States
Exam doesn't focus on 'real life'. It is academic exercise where answers should be in-line with PMBok's definition. When you apply this mindset - passing exam becomes much easier. Saving Changes...
Great advice Bennett, to never faint, and always continue attempting to attain our objectives. Definitely the person who wins isn't the one who never fails, but is the one who never gives up. Saving Changes...
