I am a Director level in a corp PMO and want to get my PMP certification. I'm looking for advice on the application process. I have past experience on managing projects. But to get enough hours I need to include current work and I'm not sure how to represent my current role on projects. In my role I have oversight on several simultaneous projects-- I participate as a reviewer, approver, etc. I sign off on estimates, but don't develop them. I recommend vendors but don't have the final say. I mentor and train my staff in best practices in all knowledge areas in all phases. Is any of this work valid for the PMP application? Saving Changes...
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Josh NankivelEngineering Project Manager| AppleSioux Falls, Sd, United States
Great question!
In the PMP Handbook the experience requirement is for "leading and directing project tasks". Perhaps the exam spec provides more detail as to what exactly this means, but I haven't purchased it myself to check yet.
It sounds to me like you are probably involved heavily in the initiation and perhaps planning phases in the form of making decisions on approach, etc. If you make staffing decisions that's another component. It is likely that many of the things you do could be classified as "leading and directing project tasks".
This is my opinion, but as long as your experience is well documented and reasonable, it would be difficult for the PMI to argue against it. You can always contact [email protected] for questions about specific experience that is borderline, but when you combine your previous PM experience with the valid items from your new role, you should be able to find plenty of hours that are clear cut.
I put together this PMP experience log which really helped me document my own varied experience for my exam and decide what was relevant and what was not. It's just an excel file you can download right from my website.
Paul NaybourFounder and Director| Parallel Project TrainingNailsworth, United Kingdom
Based on you leadership and direction of project you should be fine it you can meet the total hours requierments. Just make sure you have the records if you are audited.
