Monthly archives for September, 2010

What Is a Process? (PMP definition)

Sep15
2010 6 Comments Written by elroyking

From A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback) version 4

“A process is a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to achieve a pre-specified product, result, or service.”

The Project Management Institute (PMI), in the forth version of the PMBOK guide, outlines 42 processes that make up best practices for project managers. In preparing to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, it is important to understand how the PMI views a process. Each process has a set of inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs that can be looked at as a complete package. The project manager and project team must evaluate those processes to determine which ones will be applied to the project. Some processes will need to be applied several times in an iterative fashion that progresses the project in a manner that is explained by the term “Progressive Elaboration.” This term explains that the project is defined a little more at each iteration and the details become more firm and concrete as it is elaborated further.

The PMBOK guide v 4 talks in great detail (chapter 4-12) about those 42 processes and how they apply to your projects. Remember that you don’t need to apply every process to every project, but at least go through them to see if they apply. Projects often fall apart in the details, don’t let your projects fall apart, manage them with the PMI processes.

If you would like to learn more about the PMI processes, try these great resources:

Get PMP certified, your career will blossom and your projects will become much more successful as you apply the PMI best practices!

Elroy King

You can be READY for that PMP Exam. At PM Exam Ready, we are dedicated to getting you ready to take that PMP exam, and getting you there at the best value for your money. You can’t afford to prepare anywhere else!

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

Need 35 Contact Hours (PDUs)? Get those hours the Easy Way, and at the best value possible (I promise), with the PM-Prepcast. PMI approved PMP education on a podcast, and lots of supporting material. At a fraction of the cost of online classes. Check it out, you will be glad that you did.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

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Posted in PMP Exam, Project Management - Tagged PMI processes, PMP preparation, PMP processes

PMP Test Prep Book

Sep14
2010 2 Comments Written by elroyking

My son came home from school very irritated because he had done poorly on a test. We talked about it for a bit, then I asked him if he had read the book. Well…., no, was his answer. We went over the test and the material, and found all of the answers very plainly in the reading material.

So many project managers want to rely on their experience to get them through the PMP exam. Rita Mulcahy, a PMP author, believes that 50% of those who fail the PMP exam do it because they don’t have the experience managing a project in the PMI way. Basically, they need to read the PMI’s book.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) created a text called the “Project Management Body of Knowledge”. I contains the project management best practices. You can get a copy of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback) right here. Go ahead, get the PMI’s book. People will tell you that you don’t need the PMBOK guide, or that it is too dry and boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. Read the PMBOK guide through at least twice before taking the test.

You are going to need a little bit more than just the PMBOK guide to pass the test. The PMP test is knowledge based, but it is designed to test the application of principles. You are going to need a great PMP exam prep book also.

There are three texts that you should decide among.

PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam, The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, or Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam.

Rita Mulcahy’s book is probably the most popular and the most in-depth. It is full of activities and practice exam questions, and is very thorough. Rita, however, assumes the reader has a pretty deep backgound in project management. This is not a beginner’s book.

Andy Crowe’s book follows the PMBOK guide very well. I was very comfortable with the text and the style. It is probably my favorite of the three because of how it complements the PMBOK guide.

The Head First text reminds me of the text books that my children bring home from High School. It has great graphics and little asides in the margins. It involves more media, and uses the modern concepts of visual learning much better than the other two books. I has numerous explanations that make it a better beginner’s book. If you are new to PMP, or the the PMI methodologies, I think this is a great place to start.

Before you go to take that difficult PMP test, do yourself a favor–read the book (or books) and really get ready to take the PMP test.

Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

Other products you may be interested in:

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Posted in PMP Exam - Tagged PMP Exam Prep, PMP exam study, PMP test prep, Project Management Professional

Project Management Professional Exam Simulation Software

Sep10
2010 6 Comments Written by elroyking

Download a Free 50 PMP Question Demo Now

Don’t Crash and Burn on the PMP Exam!

Download a Free 50 PMP Question Demo Now

Make all of the stupid mistakes on the Exam Simulation Software, not the real exam! You will find out what you are getting wrong and have a chance to fix all of those knowledge areas before sitting for the real exam.

Before a boxer goes out into the ring, he has plenty of practice bouts and sparring rounds to get ready for the real thing. You can be THAT ready for the PMP exam if you spend some quality hours in preparation with the PMP Exam Simulator!

Nothing replaces knowledge, you need to learn the principles very well–Start with the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback). If you are a PMI member you can download the PMBOK guide for free from the PMI.ORG site, but it is a restricted PDF file, so you can’t highlight and bookmark it. I much prefer the printed version so I can mark up and tag the pages, that is a memorization tip that helps me a lot. Highlight the text that seems important to me as I read, then when I get done with a chapter, I review just the highlights. I can retain the important information after that review for a long time.

The PMBOK guide is a great resource, but it is dry and only concerned about the best practices principles. The PMP Exam covers the principles, but delves into application of those principles. You will need a study guide with the case studies and application materials. I would recommend PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam or The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try.

But once you have that knowledge (knowledge is still king, you can’t take this test in a vacuum), then spend your time preparing for the exam in the very same format that you will get it ON THE TEST! A software Simulator is the only way to get that experience, and will do more for you in getting ready for the exam than anything else.

There are many Simulation Software solutions, such as PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6. But none of them will give you the value that PMP Exam Simulator will give you. The PMP Exam Simulator gives you 6000 questions for only $49.95, compare that to the 1600 questions for $350 for the Fastrack Simulator, and you will understand what I mean.

Download a Free 50 PMP Question Demo Now

And start now to GET READY for the PMP Exam.

Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

Other products you may be interested in:

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Posted in PMP, PMP Exam - Tagged Best Values Software, Exam Simulation Software, Project Management Professional

Project Management Professional Exam Prep

Sep09
2010 3 Comments Written by elroyking

The PMP exam is the biggest road block for most Project Managers in their journey to become PMP certified. Those PMs have the education and the experience, they have just been told that the exam is very hard. Well, it is hard, about.com characterizes it as one of the most intensive certifications out there.

But you can be ready for that PMP exam and get that credential. You just need some good resources and some great help.

First of all, think about a good PMI approved class. Taking a 4 to 6 day class is a little costly, but usually can’t be beat for intensive hands on training in the PMI methods of project management.

If you can’t afford the class, or the time to take it, the best PMP training that I know of that includes the visual, audio, and all the elements of a great class, but is a lot more convenient and a lot less expensive is The PM-Prepcast The PM-Prepcast will amaze you, catch a free episode right here. http://www.project-management-prepcast.com/index.php/freetry-it/free-prepcast

A great complement to the PM-Prepcast is Rita Mulcahy’s text PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam. It is the most popular PMP exam prep material available. It includes games, exercises, and vocabulary. Rita has helped thousands of PMPs get certified.

Your ace in the hole, however, should be PMP exam simulation software. Rita puts out a very popular exam software, PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6. It is a little pricey, but seems to get very good results. A separate option, that costs a lot less is the PMP Exam Simulator. Take the exam on the simulator first. You will get a feel for what the exam is like, and you can take those exam failures on the simulator rather than on the real exam. You will find exactly what you need to study to be ready to take the exam by taking a number of practice exams. The exam simulator has 6000 test questions, they include 10 full exams. You will really be ready to take the PMP exam after getting through the simulator.

Get your Demo PMP Exam Simulator, with 50 free PMP exam questions right here as a free gift from me. (Well, OK, it is a free gift from them, but I’m passing it along to you as a free favor!)

Finallty, stop by PM Exam Ready . com often for other freebies, great educational topics, and some of the best PMP tips and tricks on the net. You can be ready for the PMP exam, at PMExamReady.com.

Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

Other products you may be interested in:

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Posted in PMP, PMP Exam - Tagged PMP Exam Prep, PMP test prep, Project Management Professional

PMI-Northern Utah Chapter Meeting – September 2010

Sep08
2010 3 Comments Written by elroyking

PMI-Northern Utah Chapter Meeting – September 2010

Presentation by Todd C. Williams, PMP
“Back from Red: Recovering Failing Projects”
This presentation describes the key elements in recovering Red Projects
from a system approach–looking at all the contributing factors.

RSVP
September 14, 2010 – 3:00 p.m.
The RSVP for this meeting is one day earlier than it normally is.
Also note we will not be able to process credit card transactions for
walk-in attendees during September’s meeting. If you are unable to
register prior to event close-out but plan on attending this meeting,
please help us by having cash or check in hand.

When: Thursday, September 16, 2010 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Where: Larry H. Miller Campus (SLCC) 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy, UT 84070

Attire: Business Casual

Guest Fee $25.00

Member Fee $20.00

Walk-in Guest Fee $30.00 Walk-in Member Fee $25.00

If you don’t get the link above type http://guest.cvent.com/d/zdqx86/1Q into your browser URL window to register.

“Back from Red: Recovering Failing Projects”

Estimates for the annual cost of project failure are as high as two trillion dollars a year. The rates for projects being at risk are in the 60-70% range, and a quarter of all project’s problems are so bad they are simply canceled prior completion. Preferably, all projects will run according to plan. However, moving from a 60% failure rate to 0% is unrealistic. Before they can succeed at reducing the failure rate, organizations must understand what it is that makes their projects fail. Reasons range from methodology to human failure to poorly understood concepts to scope creep. Analyzing projects as systems uncovers all the factors that can contribute to failure.

This presentation describes the key elements in recovering Red Projects from a system approach—looking at all the contributing factors. It is based on the process that Mr. Williams developed while recovering dozens of projects. It covers:
· The prerequisites for a recovery: The Steering Committee’s responsibilities in realizing there is a problem to be solved;
· The four-step process to recover a project:
o Audit: The unbiased acquisition of data about the organization, customer, people and the project;
o Analysis: Analyzing the data to determine root cases of problems and developing a recovery plan and corrective actions;
o Negotiation: Arriving at an acceptable solution for both the supplier and the customer;
o Execute: Implementing the plan and corrective actions.
· The major ways to keep projects from failing.

The recovery process focuses the work one must do in dealing with the Red Project—the dynamics of the team, stakeholders and executives. Management style and technique are very important in the recovery and multiple tips will be provided on being a leader. It also discusses the role of Technology and the Methodology in the failure.
There are multiple case study examples drawn from a variety of projects to reinforce the concepts.

Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

Other products you may be interested in:

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Posted in PMP Exam - Tagged PMI Chapter meeting, PMI class, Project Management Institute

What Is The Difference Between A Project And Operational Work?

Sep07
2010 10 Comments Written by elroyking

Many project managers are faced with the question, is this a project? Or is this operational work? It can be difficult to distinguish the two because both types of work are performed by organizations. Both types of work will involve team members, and will be limited by resource and other constraints. Both types of work will be planned, monitored, and controlled. And both types of work will be performed to achieve the goals of the organization.
What makes the work project work and not organizational work?For the most part, it is the fact that project work produces a unique product and service and comes to an end at some point. Operational work will produce the same thing again and again. Project work will produce something different than the organization has produced before. For example: Setting up a manufacturing area or plant would be a project. The manufacturing that happens after the plant is set up and operational will be operational work. Operational work will often support project work, or will continue where the project left off, so there is often a lot of interaction between the project and the operational teams. Resources may be different from the project team to the operational team or may be shared by both. In fine, if the work has a definite beginning and end, and produces a unique product or service, it is a project. If the work has a continuing element about it, and it produces many of the same things again and again, it is operational work. Usually the design and development of a new product is a project, but the continued production of the product would fall to operations.I hope this definition and discussion will be helpful to you on your projects and on the PMP exam. Rita Mulcahy, in her text PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam has a more in-depth discussion about projects and operational work on pages 21 and 22, in the chapter on Project Management Framework. She defines many terms that you will need for the PMP exam including projects, program, portfolio, PMO, objectives, constraints, stakeholder management, and many more. Pick up your copy of PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam and begin your journey to being prepared to take the PMP exam and getting the PMP certification. You will be glad that you did.Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

Other products you may be interested in:

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Posted in PMP, PMP Exam, Project Management - Tagged PMP Exam Prep, project vs operational work, what is a project

Project Management Professional Certification

Sep03
2010 5 Comments Written by elroyking

What is the PMP Certification?

The PMI came on the scene in about 1969, they had the vision of standards and best practices that would better define and promote project management. In an effort to promote project management, in 1984 they established the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. It acquired the ISO 9001 recognition and has since grown to become the most widely recognized credential world wide in Project Management.

Why Should You Get PMP Certified?

The PMP credential shows a level of professional achievement not reached by many in the field. This certification is highly sought after because is increases the marketability of individuals, it provides opportunity for advancement in project management, and gives employers and customers an added sense of confidence the project manager and the firm employing that project manager. The PMP certification sets the individual apart, and shows that they can apply best practices that are based in the “Guide to the Project Management Body Of Knowledge (PMBOK guide).

What Are The Requirements

There is an element of training, and element of experience, and a rigorous exam that must be passed to get the PMP Certification. Right here at PM Exam Ready, we help you in every aspect to get ready for that PMP exam and we help you with ALL of the other needed precursors and prerequisites to get in there and get that needed credential.

If you need the required training hours, The PM-Prepcast is the easy way to get the 35 contact hours of PMI approved training. It is by far the best value, for less than $100 you get 40 hours worth of training that completely fill the 35 contact hours required by the PMI. The training is on a podcast, so you can put it on your iPod or other mp3 player, or watch it on your computer. Compare this to other online training that cost between $699 and $999 (most of which only qualify for 21 to 28 contact hours) and you will see the real value of this amazing PMI approved training. If you need the contact hours, don’t delay, get started on the best PMP training you can get you hands on and completely fill the PMI’s contact hour requirement.

The iPod training is fantastic, but I like to have materials that I can hold in my hands. Study guides were an important part of my PMP training. There are a few study guides worth looking at PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam, The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try or Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam. Rita’s course is the most popular and is really the most detailed. However, I like Andy’s approach, it is closer to the PMBOK guide, and is more straight forward. The least expensive, and the guide that is more visual and more entertaining is the Head First guide. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I would suggest that you use the links above to go to the amazon page, then click on the “Look Inside” icons above the pictures. Really look at the layout. Read the first preview chapter, you will see the style and flow of each author. Rita expects that you know something about project management when you start, the Head First book explains everything, sometimes in the margins and at the side of the page. If you feel like a beginner, I would suggest the Headfirst text. If you want as much depth as possible, I would suggest Rita’s text. Andy’s is somewhere in the middle.

Last, but not least, take a lot of sample exam questions. Rita’s PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6 is a great resource for that, but is quite expensive. The PMP Exam Simulator gives you a lot more questions for a fraction of the cost. Want to know what you need to study? Find out where you stand by Downloading a Free 50 PMP Question Demo Now. Take the sample exam and see where you are right now. See how practice questions will make the difference in getting you ready for the PMP exam.

Come back often to PMExamReady.com. We will get you ready for that PMP exam, and help you every step of the way to getting your PMP credential.

Elroy King

Are you new to PMP? Read about the PMP basics.

If you want to pass the PMP exam you will need to master the PMI-isms.

If you were interested in the Project Management Professional Certification you may be interested in

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Posted in PMP Exam - Tagged PMP Exam, PMP prep, Project Management Professional

PMP Materials

Sep01
2010 5 Comments Written by elroyking

I am often asked, “what materials do you need to pass the PMP Exam?” I believe that passing the exam requires a three fold approach. First: Focus on the PMI-isms. The Project Management Institute (PMI) devised the PMP certification and the exam. If you want to pass the exam, you are going to have to see Project Management in the same light that the PMI sees it. You absolutely need some PMI approved training. Rita Mulcahy, a prominent PMP and Project Management author, explains that 50% of those that fail the PMP exam fail it because they have not had project management training that uses PMI terminology. The bottom line, you need to see the terms the way the PMI sees them to pass the PMP exam. About the only way to get that knowledge is through some PMI approved training.

Now you have a number of options:

You can attend a 4-7 day training course held by MosaicProjects or GlobalKnowledge. The rates vary, but will cost between $1500 and $2000. The actual number of contact hours awarded from the class depends on the number of classroom hours you attend, but they vary between 21 and 25.

There are some online classes Point Advantage, Online Training or Simplilearn online training. Either one will cost between $699 and $999.

However, the very best value will be the The PM-Prepcast.

The PM-Prepcast gives you:
40 hours of PMI approved PMP training in a podcast.
35 contact hours recognized by the PMI.
Exclusive tips and tricks for taking the PMP exam.
Sample test questions and more. For a one time fee of about $99.

Check out the PM-Prepcast and start preparing for the PMP exam in the PMI way today!.

Second: You really need some great visual and hands-on type of reference materials. There are some great manuals at different levels and at different price points.

PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

and The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try

Are probably the best texts for an in-depth study. However, I have found that the entertaining and visually stimulating approach of Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam to be a real advantage to learning and remembering the materials. Take the time to look any of these texts on the Amazon links provided (click on the link above the picture that says, “Look Inside”), you will get a feel for how the material is laid out. Rita’s book is the most popular and is very good, but I feel Andy Crowe’s book is more closely related to the PMBOK guide, and the Head First book is much more interesting and fun. By the way the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback) is indispensable! It is dry reading and almost repetitive in its precise and methodical approach, but the commercial study guides will make much more sense if you spend the time with the PMBOK guide and understand where the PMI is coming from.

Finally, after you have mastered the principles and how to apply them, it is time for the third fold of this study method, you are going to need a lot of practice with sample exam questions. The PMP training classes, the study materials, and any helps you might find will have sample questions. Make complete use of those sample questions first. They come with your materials, be sure to get your money’s worth, but don’t underestimate the value of a really good sample test program. Rita Mulcahy’s PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6 is a great companion to the materials that you have acquired thus far. Simulation software will help you get used to the types of questions that will be asked on the exam and in the same format on the computer. Rita has done a great job at this simulation–but the cost is quite high. A second alternative is the PMP Exam Simulator. For about $49 you get 6000 sample questions. The exam Simulator is, by far, the best value in simulation software. Get the demo now, Download a Free 50 PMP Question Demo Now.

With a great PMI approved, PMP training course, a really good PMP prep manual, and PMP exam simulation software, you will pass the PMP exam. It is all in getting the best materials and assimilating the information provided in them.

Elroy King

You really can be ready for the PMP Exam with help from PMExamReady.com. It is THE place to get ready for the PMP Exam.

Pass the PMP exam the EASY way with the BEST PMP exam prep course from a PMI approved source — PMP Exam Prep Made Easy.

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Monthly archives for September, 2010

What Is a Process? (PMP definition)

PMP Test Prep Book

Project Management Professional Exam Simulation Software

Project Management Professional Exam Prep

PMI-Northern Utah Chapter Meeting – September 2010

What Is The Difference Between A Project And Operational Work?

Project Management Professional Certification

PMP Materials

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