(1) Do I have the experience to become a PMP?
(2) Do you need to have worked on a huge $1M project to have the necessary experience?
(3) Should I pursue a CAPM first, and if so what study companion book do you recommend (CAPM is only testing knowledge in the PMBOK)?
(4) Is it worth the extra $250 exam for this credential or should I push through and take the PMP?
(5) Following that, is my plan to study for the PMP realistic?
I want a vibrant career as a project manager. I am in my late 40’s and have held the “title” of Project Manager for 4 firms (including my own free-lance consulting business) over the past 10 years.
Admittedly in job 1, the first 3 years were more of a team member, but I had legitimate project management responsibilities.
Job 2 for 2 years I alternated managing many small (multi-month overlapping) projects; as well as doing 25% of the work myself.
Job 3 was almost pure project management – managing teams and stakeholders and using tools like MS Project. Several of these projects were over $300K in size with teams of up to 10 people. However, I have yet to deal with some concepts in-depth such as Risk. I am comfortable saying that I have dealt with the other biggies: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing; as well as Scope, Quality, Schedule, Budget, and Resources.
Finally, laid off over 2 years ago in the depressed Midwest US; I have done what I could for smaller projects to make ends meet; but have not worked full-time.
I am a high school graduate and some college, but no degree.
My initial thought was that I have the experience (over 10 years) to fulfill the 7500 required hours without a degree to qualify for a PMP.
My plan was to (a) read the PMBOK in January; and (b) take a self-passed prep program like the PrepCast over 90 days. My goal would be to sit for the PMP Exam in May (which is when my unemployment runs out).
Is this plan, based on my experience, realistic? Keep in mind I see very few positions asking for a CAPM but some asking for a PMP.
Do I have the experience to become a PMP with the size projects I've worked on? I can document the hours and study for the exam. Once passed I should have the honest credentials to get back into project management.
Should I pursue a CAPM first, and if so what study companion book do you recommend?
Is it worth the extra $250 exam for this credential (keeping in mind I am at the moment unemployed and funds are scarce); or should I push through and take the PMP?
Thank you,
David
Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Alan CaseySenior Project Manager| Ford Motor Credit CompanyDewitt, Mi, United States
I suspect that you would be happier going for the PMP given the details in your post. You have to meet the stated requirements, no more.
Are we neigbors? I live just north of Lansing.
Email me - let's chat (off the board)
Alan Saving Changes...
Taralyn Frasqueri-MolinaSenior Project Manager| Independent ContractorPasadena, Ca, United States
I have both the CAPM and the PMP. IMHO, with the level of experience you have and the limited funds that may soon be available, I think it makes sense to head straight for the PMP, and put all your dollars towards that.
I got my CAPM a year before my PMP because I didn't have all of the experience necessary to qualify for the PMP, and I wanted to show my manager that I was committed to pursuing project excellence. Another plus of going for the CAPM first was that I had a chance to see what the PMP was going to look like. The test prep and study materials I used for both exams were virtually the same. Though I did purchase C. Fictchner's PMP Formula Guide while I was studying for the PMP.
Remember for the PMP there are two qualifying parts, 7500 hours and 35 education hours. So far PMI won't take life experience in lieu of the 35 education hours.
The good thing about earning the PMP (and any of PMI's other credentials), is that it has nothing to do with size of the project in scope or budget. Qualifying hours can come from any size project with any sized budget. The idea is the gaining of experience which you can get on projects large and small.
I'm a self-study PMP exam taker, and your plan sounds just about right if you're someone who is diligent at studying. My plan was - start studying in January and take the test at the end of April - which is very similar to yours.
I recommend reading the PMBOK three times if you can manage it, but definitely twice, I don't think once is enough. I supplemented my PMBOK study with as many free materials as I could find, and there are lots and lots available - my first choices are HeadFirst PMP and PMStudy.com. I did buy the PMP Formula Guide I mentioned above, totally worth the $30 investment.
Finally, take as many mock tests as you can get your hands on. There are plenty of free ones around. Take mocks exams of all lengths but definitely take the full test several times. I found out I had a "test wall" and what I could do to get past it. My test wall was at 120 questions. After 120, I wasn't even reading English anymore and it took me just as long to finish the last 80 questions as it did to finish the first 120! By taking many loooooooooong exams, I got myself ready for the real thing, and didn't put myself at a disadvantage just because I couldn't hack the length.
Good luck!
Saving Changes...
Sunando ChaudhuriDirector - PMO & Governance| ModonDist: Burdwan, West Bengal, India
Hi David,
I would also suggest to go for PMP directly. I did the same. On top of reading the PMBOK couple of times, I did go through the Rita Mulcahy's PMP guide which I found really helpful just before the exam. There are some exams also along with the book that can be taken if you get time to.
I think looking at your details, I am not sure if you have the relevant 35 PDUs. Just check that out and you can get that form a list of vendors that are available. You would need this while filling in the form.
Also I would suggest go for the PMI membership which might help you finding some more details if missed out.
