Hardest certification ever

Congratulations, on PSM.

Thomas

I heard PgMP is a solid exam, or more the preparation for the exam requires lots of effort and add to that the application preparation, its a very lengthy application and process. It is on my to do list of certifications to purse soon.

What's your thoughts on the PfMP ? I am aware you did not take the exam yet but I am sure you have a solid idea. For me, the application was as lengthy as that of the PgMP and it was one tough exam with at least 30% of the questions from topics not even mentioned in the PfMP Practice Guide so I hear you: Yes, you feel you really have achieved something outstanding.

RK

PgMP is the tough one to crack

I couldn't agree with you more.I'm learning PgMP. It's too hard.For Chinese students, we also have to overcome the language barrier

I completely agree with you on having to transform your mind to PMI view of project management. I've been a project manager for fifteen years in the Heavy Highway/Airport construction industry but have only recently achieved my PMP certification. While studying for the PMP I realized that I had to almost unlearn all of the knowledge that I've accumulated over the years so that i could learn the project management method according to PMI. It's a very difficult exam but once I stopped trying to compare what I previously learned I found it easier to retain the new knowledge.

Hi Rami,

I can’t comment on the Pfm certification and exam, since I did not look into that yet. It certainly is an achievement and I commend you on that.

I contributed to the first PfM standard though and followed the editions.

Since I also implemented portfolio management for customers, I felt the standard fell short in some aspects like resource optimization or portfolio scenarios.

Hence I am not inclined to certify for a standard which I believe is not helpful.

This is quite different for PgMP, it is very relevant but not understood well by most. It gives the answer how to be agile as an organization. Scaling is inherent nonsense, it means a bottom up approachand thinks culture can be pushed upwards. PgMP is top diwn.

Having earned both PgMP and PfMP certfications, in my view, PgMP is tougher than the PfMP.

But I should not be generalizing here. It all depends on how you understand the subject, the exam and how you prepare for it !

Any subject can be as tough as climbing mount Everest, if someone not understand the subject deep enough to address the questions quickly in the exam.

Thank you for making us aware of your cert LLs Rami. I'll be planning for ACP after my Salesforce cert.

Hi Rami,

I am in the process of submitting a PgMP application and writing the exam in 2022. You mentioned that you have a blog, any tips for writing the PgMP application and where to get study material for it? I find it hard finding online material.

Thomas

Thanks for your feedback. I totally agree with you in that the PfM standard (3rd and 4th editions) do fall short in many aspects.

However, when we certify, we do not certify for a specific standard (i.e. Guide or Book). PMI clearly mentions (As you know) that the PfM standard is just one of many resources. During my study journey, I did go through multiple resources that complemented the PfM standard and as I mentioned earlier, almost 30% of the exam was completely from outside the PfM Standard and some of those questions were related to resources optimization.

To relate to what I am trying to say, look at the new PMI Agile Practice Guide, it falls short on so many extremely important areas, yet, it is just one of many resources and the journey was a great one of which I benefited from a lot.

When it comes to certifications, I find the benefit is in the journey more than the destination and when I pursue a certain certification, I do it to enhance my knowledge, not just accumulate certifications so I put lots of efforts to research and study.

I am not trying to convince you to do the PfMP as I don't do marketing for PMI but I was just saying my point of view related to your statement : "I am not inclined to certify for a standard which I believe is not helpful." :-)

Cheers
RK

Thomas

Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your opinion. I hear you and would like to discuss your points further but maybe in the future because your point of view and some of the things you highlighted are very interesting.

Thanks you as well for the compliment, likewise. I appreciate you Thomas and looking forward to meeting you in person in the near future.

RK