Soha KarjawallySoftware development manager / Program Manager| Phoenix - USAMontréal, Quebec, Canada
I mean come on, why do we push PMP candidates to memorize formulas ? As long as you understand which one to use , shouldn’t be enough ?
In the real life I will be having a cheat sheet next to me if I’m not using MS project or other tool .. so why that pain ?
It is already a long exam ...
point is, we are in an open source , open world and internet world...
You don’t memorize code to write...
Am I the only one questioning this requirement?
In all cases, personally, I hope this will change one day... (and I think it will)
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Getting a thorough understanding of EV minimizes the need of memorizing the formulas. CPI, SPI, SV, etc. are formulas that "make sense" and thus do not require memorization. Some of the formulas for Estimation at Completion can be more tricky and is worth investing some time to memorize. Saving Changes...
Ramachandran SwaminathanRegional Delivery Manager| Oracle Consulting IndiaBangalore, Karnataka, India
Soha,
Couple of points in this matter
1. If we really understand the concept behind EVM, then there is no need to memorize and we can easily derive these everytime we want to solve a problem and it becomes a muscle memory over time
2. Formulas are not only limited to PMP. They are everywhere eg; Physics, Chemistry, Maths and other fields. Compared to these fields the PMP formulas are easier I would say
Wish you all the best if you are preparing for PMP exam
Regards
Ram Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Memorization of the formulas is not a requirement for the exam. If you feel you a well versed enough in which to use when, and able to figure out when needed, then great!
On the flip side, not that many formulas and not very difficult to memorize. The reason so many recommend memorization is so to help reduce any unnecessary time spent during the actual exam. Also, until fairly recently, many would use the 15-minute tutorial of how to use the system for the test as time to do a brain dump. There is no longer opportunity to do that.
Sure, outside of the exam, can look it up if need be. For the actual exam, depends on the test taker and what makes them feel comfortable and confident to pass. Saving Changes...
I have NEVER advised my PMP students to memorize any of the EVM formulas. If they do so, they will be unable to answer questions which are not presented in a strict, linear fashion which is always possible on the exam.
Understanding is key, not just to pass the exam, but to effectively use EVM in the "real world" which should be the main reason to learn about it.
Kiron
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1 reply by Soha Karjawally
Mar 12, 2020 1:03 PM
Soha Karjawally
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100%. but we agree that ifyou have formulas in front of you/memorized it is an easier way to pick one and use it... I guess studying at midnight is not the correct way ;-) I will be in a better setting next time :)
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
It seems the PMP courses and exam "simulators" are big on asking you what the correct formula is. That was not the case for the PMP exam. You were given data and you had to figure out how to obtain the correct answer. I never had to worry about all the different EAC formulae.
I remember bringing my calculator for my PMP exam. (It was allowed back in 2003.) I never had to use it once during the exam. Saving Changes...
Soha KarjawallySoftware development manager / Program Manager| Phoenix - USAMontréal, Quebec, Canada
Mar 12, 2020 9:28 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Soha -
I have NEVER advised my PMP students to memorize any of the EVM formulas. If they do so, they will be unable to answer questions which are not presented in a strict, linear fashion which is always possible on the exam.
Understanding is key, not just to pass the exam, but to effectively use EVM in the "real world" which should be the main reason to learn about it.
Kiron
100%. but we agree that ifyou have formulas in front of you/memorized it is an easier way to pick one and use it... I guess studying at midnight is not the correct way ;-) I will be in a better setting next time :) Saving Changes...
Al TaylorI.T. Contractor| IndependentWaterloo, Ontario, Canada
I am still trying to memorize the difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Mar 12, 2020 3:48 PM
Kiron Bondale
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Al,
the easy way to distinguish the two is the "A" in Assurance is like the "A" in Audit. If you know that QA uses Audits as a primary tool, then QC will tell you that is about checking the product, service or result from the project meeting requirements.
Kiron
Saving Changes...
Manuel PerezProject Management Coordinator| Las Vegas Valley Water DistrictNorth Las Vegas, Nv, United States
Just understand what each value means. Scheduling software such as Primavera P6 will calculate EVM for you. You will not be doing this by hand. Is just like studying engineering (you must learn the formulas but then some tool will do the calculations for you). Importance is to know what they mean. Saving Changes...
AI Taylor, Quality Assurance refers to processes and procedures, while Quality Control refers to deliverables Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I was part of the exam certification questions generation and the PMI assigned to me the role of quality assurance specialist. I am still there but I have to say that I activelly participate on meetings from 2005 to 2016 so in the last years I did not participate on that. I am saying this because I do not know what happend on the last 4 years. With that said, PMP exam questions was moving to situational questions then if you memorize the formula it is a wasted of time because you need to understand the formula to know what formula to apply and how to apply it regarding the situation the question is presenting to you. Saving Changes...
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