I was reading the PMP guidebook and one of the requirements for the
certification was the "4500 hours of project management" experience.
What does it mean by this? Do I have to be working on as project
manager for 4500 hours before I could apply for the certification or since i have worked
on projects as a project engineer would it suffice the requirement? i have another query related to the same.
While filling up the form it states that an Audit of the experience may be carried out.
3 yrs back i worked as a mechanical maintenance engineer and during the same time i executed projects.
Now i work as a project engineer.If i have to produce 4500 hrs of experience how do i document the same
and in case of an Audit how do i provide the required experince proof.Kindly advice
Thanx Saving Changes...
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Cornelius FichtnerPresident| OSP International LLCTucson, Az, United States
In order to apply for the PMP exam you will have to show that you have 4,500 hours of relevant project management experience in regards to directing project tasks. (You need 7.500 if you don't have a bachelors degree.) You don't need to have these hours in the role of the project manager. Team lead, technical lead, project team member, manager, sponsor... all of these roles count, as long as they are relevant, on a project and you had been in a directing role.
How do you document them? Please use the attached experience verification worksheet. This will help you to gather & document the hours.
If you get audited by the PMI (only a small number does get audited) then the PMI will tell you exactly what you have to do. In essence you have to write you your supervisor on these projects and ask them to confirm that what you have said is the truth. That is why I recommend: Write to them before you apply to the PMP exam and make sure that they agree with what you have said.
Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.pm-prepcast.com Saving Changes...
Anonymous
A friend of mine shared his training experience from, AstroWix which is a Global Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) of PMI®, the world's largest body of Project Management Professionals. Its training program entitles the participants to PMI®'s Professional Development Units (PDUs). Besides, it has now become mandatory for anyone interested in appearing for PMP® Certification that he/she must have gone through 35 contact hours training approved by PMI®. Companies turn to it for help with scoping, defining and implementing complex programs and projects, and then look up to us to provide the relevant training or up-skilling required to enable them to operate their new solutions. AstroWix is a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute and offers Public and Corporate training sessions. If you want to know more about training details browse through this link once http://www.astrowix.com/pmp_india/ Saving Changes...
Richard HowProgramme Management Consultant| How Associates LtdHarthill, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
that form is great if you fill it in as you go but how is a PM with 20 years experience supposed to remember how many hours he spent on each area of a project? over the years I would probably be hard pushed to remember all the projects let alone how many hours I spent on bits of each one. Also how would you contact a supervisor from say 10 years ago to get them to verify the accurancy?
sorry if this sounds negative but I struggle to see how anyone could be expected to remember how many hours they spent on tasks in a project 10 years ago Saving Changes...
I had the same doubt as Brian.
Thanks a ton for your detailed response Cornelius..
Saving Changes...
Michael WellesManaging Director| EdWel Project and Risk Management TrainingChicago, Il, United States
Hi Brian,
Simply, the PMP Handbook states that you must "lead and direct" project tasks. Since there are so many different titles people use, the handbook does not limit your experience to your role as a project manager. Project lead, project engineer, project coordinator et al count as possible titles that still count towards the eligibility requirement. If you took a very literal read of the handbook, you could even count your time as a project team member. After all, do you not lead and direct yourself when assigned to a project? Oh well, it might be a stretch, but I think it meets both the letter and spirit of the requirement.
Our recent experience with applicants and the audit has been not too scary. The PMI understands that you may not be able to track down your former boss or supervisor - no problem. We have found that PMI will work with you and accept an employment hot line or human resources contact tp verify your employment and work history. Of course, it is best to track you former supervisor down.
Do you have to have all of this information/numbers etc before you submit your application? In my opinion, I say no. Just be prepared to scramble when you are chosen for an audit.
What you need to recognize is that the PMI wants you and others to become a PMP. While there are well-accepted and reasonable standards that must be met, the PMI does not go out of its way to make it difficult or impossible for you and others to meet the eligibility requirements.
As we recommend, always complete your application honestly and to the best of your abilities. Be prepared to meet a higher standard of verification if need be, but don't concern yourself so much with the application that it paralyzes you or prevents you from becoming a PMP.
