Patrick DixonPresident| DPASLago Vista, Tx, United States
I am studying for PMP certification. I took a class that was based on the PMBOK guide, but the quiz questions were based on Rita Mulcahy's book. The instructor said that the PMP exam will be based on the content in Rita's book. My problem is that PMBOK and Rita differ significantly. For example, I was told to memorize the PMBOK Table 3-1 "Project Management Process Group and Knowledge Area Mapping" because it is critical to know this for the exam, but in Rita's book it has Rita's Process Chart which is similar but very different and does not reconcile with PMBOK. This is extremely confusing. What should I be studying? Saving Changes...
Hugh GoughManager - Project Engineering| KentHouston, Tx, United States
I found the the Rita book very informative and explained everything in a very simple manner compared to the PMBOK. For the exam I read over the Rita book a couple of times but ignored the process charts. I did an exam prep course that had a table of all the 47 processes and where they belonged in regards to process group and knowledge area which I found very helpful. Saving Changes...
PMBOK is the content of the exam, not written for study, more a reference book.
I never used Rita book for PMP, many here recommend using it for study. Saving Changes...
Learning project management is totally different from learning how to prepare for the exam. Usually, preparation courses focus on how to be successful in the exam and as the exam is based on PMBOK, so you need to fully understand PMBOK. It is a framework that you can apply for managing a project. However, PMBOK is not sufficient to learn how manage a project. I believe about 30% of the exam is based on your experience which means you need to apply your previous practical leanings. (You can check the percentage on PMI.org) Some books like Rita focuses on exam preparation. They translate the PMBOK in a way that may be more meaningful for you. It is up to you which book is a right fit for you. Just be aware that you have to at least cover all PMBOK content, Saving Changes...
Jay GopalData Integration Manager| Alithya IncArlington, Va, United States
Nov 28, 2017 12:06 AM
Replying to Patrick Dixon
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Thank you very much for the reply. The confusion I have is the inability to reconcile between the 2 charts. Should I memorize them both? Should I try to figure out how they match? For example:
- Rita's chart for Initiating process group does not include creating the Statement of Work. Is SOW part of Initiating?
- In Rita, the Initiating Process Group includes "Divide large projects into phases". I don't see this in PMBOK under the Project Charter Development. Should I follow Rita or PMBOK?
- Rita's chart shows "Use issue logs" in the Executing process group, but I don't see anywhere in PMBOK where issue logs are in that group. It shows Issue logs in 10.3.1.3 which is the Monitoring and Control Group. Which is correct?
I completely agree with you. I had the same problem and did NOT use Rita's. I used Head first PMP which is in line with the PMBOK and also much easier to understand, along with Andy Crowe (distributed from my training course). I also did google searches for topics that I had issue understanding. Hope this helps. Saving Changes...
Eric SchnarrPMP,Senior IT Project Manager| Trizetto Provider SolutionsSaint Charles, Mo, United States
Patrick, I had exactly the same questions about the PMBOK versus Rita books and charts so I definitely understand your frustration!
I definitely do not recommend memorizing both charts or spending a lot of energy trying to reconcile them until you have run through a few practice exams.
When I did that, it built my understanding of how they how the processes are related in both content and sequence until I only needed the PMBOK chart as a reference. Start with the PMBOK chart, and then fall back to Rita's when you need additional information.
One final thought, I found Rita's book to be a much more valuable study guide than the PMBOK. As others have mentioned, the PMP exam is based off of more than just the PMBOK and the study guides bring them all together. Plus they are much, much easier to read!
The original questions "PMBOK vs Rita" is misleading as they can't be compared. The exam prep book compliments the PMBOK which is the master reference. I will say the other book which I found good was Andy Crowe's book "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Patrick,
The PMP exam is based on your experience in PM and it is mainly situational questions so it is not based on any book. The PMBOK is a guide and your basis while Rita's book tries to explain and simplify things for you so it is not any different.
I personally went through the PMBOK then studied Rita's book and simulation exams. To be honest, going through Rita's book gave me a better understanding of certain things but at the end, during the exam it is your experience and understanding of the PM is what matters so you don't need to memorize any tables, just try to understand the logic behind those tables and you will on your own discover that you can remember the tables.
Hope this makes sense.
Good Luck. Saving Changes...
anca stefanescuProject methodology expert| BRD GROUPE SOCIETE GENERALEBucharest, Romania
Hello Patrick,
To prepare the exam I learned from PMBOK. I tried to study after Rita's book, but I couldn't, as I prefer more condensed information. But I did simulations exam based on her book as well and this helped me a lot and was very useful to get used to the exam overall style. So for the practical side I definitely recommend her. Good luck! Saving Changes...
To prepare for PMP, PMBOK Guide is the best source. Along with PMBOK, you can take various simulation tests available over the internet, which will prepare you for the final PMP exam. Saving Changes...
Patrick DixonPresident| DPASLago Vista, Tx, United States
Thank you to everyone that responded, I appreciate your advice Saving Changes...
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