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By elroyking, April 30, 2013 3:17 pm

Agile Project Management

Agile project management is a methodology that can improve time to market, over all expense, and delivering what the customer wants by iteratively reviewing requirements, developments, short-term project plans. So much of the time and expense of getting a conventional project completed goes into planning of the project. Then as the project continues, the assumptions of the project change over time. The ability to complete the project within the time frame and budget originally planned becomes less and less the further the project goes.

Agile Methodologies

Agile methodologies tend to work better for software projects, but the iterative work flow, around a shorter “sprint” cycle, and agreed upon deliverables after each sprint, tend to improve the odds that the project will actually do what the stakeholders need it to. This eliminates waste and gets the project out faster.

Participants in agile projects can demonstrate that they are proficient in this new area of expertise. They can do that with the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Certificate (PMI-ACP).

While Agile practices are fairly new, they can have a big impact in the timeliness and the effectiveness of projects. Teams using agile practices have reported enjoying the project more, and being more connected to the project.

Practitioners of agile practices can become Agile Certified.

Certification helps employers know that their team members understand and can apply agile methodologies in the correct way. Some people think that agile simply means not documenting as much and making more project changes on the fly. This could not be further from the truth. Real agile development requires documentation, however, short term goals are much easier to explain, quantify, and achieve. Shorter sprints usually mean that they need less documentation and that team members will have more understanding of the project because of more required deliverables.

Agile practices are growing among the biggest employers. Getting Agile certified is more important today than it has ever been. Improve your value as an employee with a PMI-ACP certificate.

The Agile Precast can prepare you to pass the PMI-ACP exam.  Click here to get certified. Use the discount code “agile”.

Comments (1)

By elroyking, August 4, 2012 11:27 am

If you are truly interested in passing the PMP exam, a teacher or instructor will be very useful to you. PMP Exam Certification classes often have 90+ percent pass rates, where self-study comes in at only around 60 percent pass rates.

The combination of written, visual, and audio study materials as found in actual classes are a lot more effective than just a written manual. However, PMP classes range from $1600 to $3500, and require physically being where the classes are taught for a week or more at a time. For most people that solution is out of the price and time range applicants can actually afford.
The Best Solution for the Best Price

The best compromise is to add visual and audio to your current written study material. If you have the PMBok guide and one of the popular self study manuals, like Rita Mulcahy’s manual or Andy Crow’s manual, then you can add a visual/audio component and really improve your chances of passing the PMP exam.
I’m talking about The Absolute Best Value solution. It includes:

• 42 hours of video training
• 9 hours of audio training
• 35 Contact Hours certificate
• 60 sample PMP Exam questions
• Supplemental Email Course
• Access to online Forum
• Watch on your computer
• Watch on your portable player
• Over 19,500 Students
• 90 day money back guarantee
• Updated for 2011 PMP Exam
• PMI R.E.P. Approved

This training, by Cornelius Fichtner, is amazing. It is informative as well as entertaining. It really brings the PMBOK guide to life.

Did I mention the unconditional 90 day money back guarantee. If for any reason, you don’t believe this is the absolute best value in PMP exam preparation material, you can get a full refund. You have absolutely nothing to lose.

But, you do lose if you don’t order right away. Because, If you order with my link above, then send me your nanacast receipt to Dean@pmexamready.com, I will also send you my “PMP ITTOs Condensed” study guide.

Don’t miss out, get your PM-Prepcast today.

Elroy King

** note ** Please allow for up to 24 hours for your study guide to be emailed back, as the disbursements are done manually, in batches.

Advisory: Some of the products I mention are done with affiliate links,
for which I receive compensation if you make a purchase. In some cases,
I may have received a review copy. In no case do those situations either
cause you to pay extra for a product purchase, or cause me to give a
favorable review or recommendation of a product that I think is garbage
or fails to deliver on its promises.

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By elroyking, May 17, 2012 11:57 am

We are excited to announce that registration to our TWO PM StudyCoach Live Online Coaching Classes is now open. Please invite everyone to sign up and let Kevin Reilly, PMP be their coach in their studies towards PMP Exam success.

The PM StudyCoach Live is a self-study course that combines recorded training materials with live, online coaching calls: They will be able to study the recorded materials on their own time and then join the class for a weekly call. In each call, we help them get into the PMI mindset, discuss concepts essential for the exam, review study assignments and leave lots and lots of room to answer all of their questions. To learn more, click here…

Live Coaching Call Schedules are:

• Class 1:  Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 7 PM PST (Pacific / California time zone)
• Class 2: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 7 PM EST (Eastern / New York time zone)

*Succeeding classes will be each Wednesday/Thursday for 10 weeks.

By limiting class size,  we can ensure that everyone gets the attention they deserve. This is especially important because we have a three-tiered pricing structure, so the sooner they register, the less they pay. Here are the prices:

Tier 1: First 5 students to register: $599.00
Tier 2: Next 5 students to register: $624.00
Tier 3: Next 5 students to register: $649.00

Click Here to get started.

Elroy King
Learn the PMP Exam Formulas

Discount PMP Exam Simulation

Time Management Software

Earn 1K a Day

Advisory: Some of the products I mention are done with affiliate links,
for which I receive compensation if you make a purchase. In some cases,
I may have received a review copy. In no case do those situations either
cause you to pay extra for a product purchase, or cause me to give a
favorable review or recommendation of a product that I think is garbage
or fails to deliver on its promises.

Comments (1)

By elroyking, May 3, 2012 3:49 pm

PMP® Braindump Chart Construction Process

When you enter the testing center to take your PMP® exam, you have a short amount of time to prepare yourself for your exam. It has been suggested that you do a “Brain Dump”, or in other words, that you copy a number of things directly to a piece of paper that is given to you by the testing center before you begin the exam. Among the things you need to have on that brain dump sheet is the table on Page 43 of the PMBOK® Guide V4. It visually shows the relationship between the Project Management Process Groups and the Project Management knowledge areas.

Make the table 6×10 squares to leave room for the labels, as shown below in figure 1.

   Figure 1

Tricks For Learning How to Label The Table.

For the top row of labels I use the following Mnemonic. A Mnemonic is a device used to help your memory. This one uses the first letters of the words in an easy to remember sentence, to represent the first letters of the words you are trying to remember in a specific order.

The ordered list we are trying to remember is the Process Management Groups: They are Opening, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing. This list is actually pretty straight forward and probably doesn’t require a Mnemonic, but just in case it may be easier to picture a penguin eating cookies, and remember the following sentence: “Oliver Penguin Eats More Cookies.” The first letters of each word make the acronym OPEMC. Those are the first letters of the ordered list Opening, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing.

In the top row of the table, put in the first letter of each word from the sentence Oliver Penguin Eats More Cookies. Start with the second column, leave the first column blank for the knowledge area names, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Then fill in the names of the process groups, as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3

Perhaps a Mnemonic wasn’t needed to remember the process groups, but it makes a good example of how the process works. It is a bit more difficult to remember all of the knowledge areas and their correct order.

The Knowledge Areas

The Mnemonic that I like to use for the knowledge areas is– I Some Times Can’t Quit Hunting Canned Red Peppers. (I have to remember that Some Times is two words instead of the correct one word, Sometimes.) But, it makes remembering the correct order a lot easier.

Use the same process, put the first letter of each word in the first column of the table in this order, I Some Times Can’t Quit Hunting Canned Red Peppers. Leave the first Row Blank for the column headings, as shown in figure 4.

Figure 4

Now fill out the labels with the Project Management Knowledge Areas, in the correct order, as shown in figure 5

Figure 5

Now put the chart together, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6

Populating The Chart

The chart has a number of squares that have processes in them, and a number of squares that are blank. There is a sequence that can help you know which squares are which. Start with the labelled table, then:

1.  Remember that the Integration knowledge area has processes in all process groups. So place a small X in each of those squares, as shown in figure 7.

Figure 7

2. The Communications Knowledge Area starts in the Opening process group and has an x in every process group except closing. That means it does not have an x in Closing.
3. The Procurement Knowledge Area starts in the Planning Process Group and has an x in the rest of the process groups to closing. It does not have an x in Opening.

So now the chart appears as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8

4. In the Planning Process Group column fill in an x in every knowledge area (some may already have Xs in them).
5. In the Monitoring & Controlling Process Group, fill in an x in every knowledge area square, except for HR. (The thought here is that you will “control” everything in the project except the people. For the people involved, you will teach, instruct, develop, and mentor, and let them “control” themselves.)

Now the chart is mostly filled in, as seen in Figure 9.

Figure 9

The chart is almost complete with an x in every square that contains project management processes, except for two. There are two squares that still need an x in them.

6. Keep in mind that at the heart of all of your projects you will find Quality and HR.  Just about in the center of the chart are the Quality and HR knowledge areas. Place an x in the Executing  process group for the Quality and HR knowledge areas, you will have the chart complete. There is an X in every square that contains one or more Project Management Processes, as seen in Figure 10

Figure 10

Hopefully this will help you remember where in the chart the processes show up. Remember that some of those squares have more than one process in them, but this should eliminate all of the ones that don’t have any processes in them.

For further help, I have developed a free Project Management Process Memorization Tool, that can help you learn the processes in the chart, it can be downloaded from PMExamReady.com.

Elroy King

Best Price PMP Training

Get Hired Fast

Earn 1K a day

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By elroyking, March 28, 2012 7:09 am

Why are some project wildly successful and others fall so short of the mark? It may be that the successful ones have more of the factors for success than the unsuccessful ones. I have found that passing the PMP exam can be made easier if you treat it like a project. The PMP exam is a long term goal that can be broken up into bite size pieces and methodically consumed. Here is Trevor Robert’s take on factors for project success.

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By elroyking, March 27, 2012 9:24 pm

This is the type of feedback that I really like to hear. Passing the PMP exam on the first try is the what we are about. Find the resources that work for you and set aside a time every day to do a little studying and a little preparing. Kapil explains how he read the PMBOK guide a few times getting ready for this test.

I am pleased to share that I passed the PMP exam today on 26-03-2012 in my first try. I was rated proficient in all the areas except closing where I got MP.

I studied for 3 months. I used PMBOK 4th ed (3 or 4 times) and PM Prepcast (once) as the main study materials. I had ESI power prep book, slides and questions from my company but used only the slides and questions there.

“I tried only the free exams on the internet like examcentral, pmstudy (1), simplilearn, Oliver L, and few others. I scored 75-85% on average on these exams.

I am into full time IT project management for a captive unit and my on job experience helped in studies and exam.

I completed the exam in 3 hrs and marked about 10 questions for review and changed only 2 in review. I just wanted to finish the exam and know the result, hence did not spend the remaining time reviewing many things.

Overall the quality of the exam questions was very good. There were many situational questions and you need to read it all and understand completely by removing unnecessary information and extracting all the required information to select the best answer. You must read and understand PMBOK. I did not memorize all the ITTOs but from the question and answers I was able to find the right choice. I mean I cannot right them all on the paper but when given as the choices for a question I would recall the right ones.

Thanks to the guys here who posted here and guided me in my preparation. All the best to the guys who still need to pass the exam. Study well and it will pay off ! It is not a rocket science.

Regards,

Kapil Gahlot”

You can get that PMP certification too. Achieve your goals, and find yourself at the top of your game. Your new life as a certified PMP is waiting for you.

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By elroyking, March 23, 2012 8:15 am

Free PMP Exam Resources

This is a great. A question and answer session about the PMP exam. A number of good questions are addressed including what version of the PMBOK guide the PMP exam is based on, and when the new one comes on board. Take advantage of this great PMP resource.

If you are preparing for the PMP exam, then you need to tap a number of free resources.

Free Resources:

HeadFirst Labs Free PMP Exam

Free PM Exam Simulator

Free Earned Value Video

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By elroyking, March 22, 2012 8:36 am

The PMBOK guide is sometimes dry and boring, but don’t discount it right away. The PMI created the PMBOK to be a repository of all of their best information. Interestingly enough, they often use the exact wording from the PMBOK guide in their answers. However, you can’t just memorize the book. The PMI wants you to be able to apply the principles in the guide to distinct project management situations. Application is always paramount. Here is Cornelius Fichtner’s take on the PMBOK guide.

“There is a bit of a disconnect that PMP Exam takers report as they are preparing for the exam. Because you must be an experienced project manager to take the exam, you bring years of experience in managing projects and using tools & techniques with you. Often, these are based on company internal project management best practices and tactics that you found working for you. However, the PMP Exam requires that you apply the concepts from the PMBOK Guide to real-life situations as presented in the exam questions. If the methodology that you are experienced in using is not aligned with the PMBOK Guide, then you may pick the wrong answers in your test.

Furthermore, the projects you manage may not have required you to deal in all the PMBOK Guide’s Knowledge Areas. For instance, risk management was something I did very rarely on my projects and maybe in your career you never had to deal with procurement. So it is likely that you’ll be more comfortable with some project management knowledge areas and processes than others. This can lead to two problems:

First you may feel that because you are an absolute pro in scheduling (after all you have years of experience here) you can slack off in your studies and rely on your own project management experience instead. You tend to minimize studying for the areas you know best. But this can hurt you because the PMBOK’s approach is the correct approach for the PMP exam.

The second is the tendency to minimize the importance of project management areas with which you are unfamiliar. Just because I didn’t do much risk management doesn’t mean that it isn’t important. But we are creatures of habit, so it’s only normal to also think that the “unimportant” areas on our projects are also “unimportant” on the exam. PMPs are expected to demonstrate a good understanding of all aspects of project management as defined in the PMBOK. So pay particular attention to the processes with which you are not familiar.

So what’s the best approach? I always recommend to my students that they study the PMBOK Guide at least twice before taking the exam and that they immediately start using the practices learned on their projects. Applying the theory from the PMBOK Guide on your projects is the best way of learning it and passing the exam.“

Just take the time to run through the PMBOK guide. I actually got more out of it after reading a chapter in Rita Mulcahy’s guide, then coming back to the same chapter in the PMBOK and read the chapter there.

Additional Resources:

The Truth About The PMBOK guide

PMI’s PMBOK guide

PMP Exam Training

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By elroyking, March 21, 2012 7:25 am

Demand for PMPs has continued in spite of a rocky economy. In fact it has even grown. As more companies look at the bottom line of their business, the economics look even clearer for hiring and retaining trained project managers. The skills of the project manager is outlined below by the folks at PMPCertificaitonCost.info

“In recent times, there has been a growing demand for project management professional. This is because many large organizations are implementing project management practices. As of such, project management job openings have now outnumbered the positions available for project managers.

Project Management Professional: Jobs & Skills

Project management is the method utilized to achieve the primary objective of a project. The person who works as a project manager will have the necessary skills, knowledge, techniques and tools to manage an endeavor and ensure that it fulfills its objectives. Project managers who want to become project management professional are required to complete an industry-specific program to earn PMP certification.

A Project Management Professional is trained to design and execute plans for a project in a particular industry. This professional will have the responsibility to organize the efforts required to achieve specific goals for a project. Basically, this person will develop plans, define objectives and goals for each phase of the project and specify the execution required for timely delivery. This professional will also identify the required resources; deal with the budget for the entire operation; stick to a defined path and the original plan and set timelines to complete the project.
Project Management Professional Training

It is important for any organization to develop its most important asset, which is the workforce. Whether training is done on the job or in an outside environment, this will help each employee to better understand their job, work better as a unit to achieve goals and reach their full potential. The project management training programs are designed to help companies accomplish these goals as all managers who have plans to become professionals are required to pass the PMP exam and earn their certification.

There are actually two kinds of project management: project planning and managing a project based on a plan. The training for project management includes schedule and tracking preparation; risk assessment methods; resource planning; resource management and estimation techniques. Persons can get training in project management in several ways.
For one, a company can develop an internal framework to train employees. In-house training will offer advantages such as providing more flexibility and spending less for overall costs.
Another way would be to add a collection of books on management in the company’s library. A Project Management Professional requires certain skills to build a successful team and execute a particular project. These skills include effective customer interaction, cross-cultural, negotiation and communication skills.“

Now really is a good time to become a trained and certified PMP. There are lots of options to choose from. There are bootcamps, self study courses, and many options of live classes. The resources you choose will be determined by your preferences, just make that decision to get trained today.

Additional Resources:

PMP Skills Resources

PMP Certification Program

PMP Training Course

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By elroyking, March 20, 2012 3:43 pm

Project Management can be applied most everywhere. It is essential when it comes to complex products or services that require a lot of collaboration and discipline, but it can be used effectively almost anywhere. Giana Rosetti discusses how Project Management can relate to marketing. She brings out the following observations:

“Below is how the PMI project knowledge areas can be applied to marketing.

• Initiating: Develop Marketing Campaign Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders.
• Planning: Develop Marketing Campaign Project Plan, Collect Requirements, Define Marketing Campaign Scope Or Objectives, Create Wbs, Define Activities, Sequence Activities, Estimate Activity Resources, Estimate Activity Durations, Develop Campaign Schedule, Estimate Campaign Costs, Determine Campaign Budget, Plan Campaign Quality, Develop Hr Plan, Plan Communications, Plan Risk Management, Identify Campaign Risks, Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis, Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis, Plan Risk Responses, Plan Procurements (vendors, outside sources).
• Executing: Direct & Manage Marketing Campaign Execution, Perform Quality Assurance, Acquire Marketing Campaign, Develop Marketing Campaign Team, Manage Marketing Campaign Team, Distribute Information, Manage Stakeholder Expectations, And Conduct Procurements.
• Monitoring & Controlling: Monitor & Control Marketing Campaign, Perform Integrated Change Control, Verify Campaign Scope, Control Campaign Scope, Control Campaign Schedule, Control Campaign Costs, Perform Quality Control, Report Campaign Performance, Monitor And Control Marketing Campaign Risks, And Administer Procurements.
• Closing: Close Marketing Project Or Phase and Close Procurements.”

The project management framework is flexible and efficient. Applying project management to marketing or most any other discipline is entirely possible and probably not to awfully difficult.

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By elroyking, March 19, 2012 12:03 pm

During these recessionary times, company managers are trying to cut corners by hiring non-certified project managers, or by combining the project management with other functions such as analyst functions. This isn’t really new in my opinion, these tactics have been tried and have failed for many companies in the past. The bottom line is that you get what you pay for, and the best way to preserve value on a project is to have a project manager that knows how to be on schedule and on budget. I believe that during recessionary times more people get certifications than at other times in an effort to make their own employment more sustainable. Just because a person has a PMP certification doesn’t mean that they are actually trained or very good at managing projects. That has to be evaluated by employers as well. Bruce McGraw rants about how paper PMPs are popping up right now and making a bad name for all of us.

“March 17, 2012 — Bruce McGraw

I have seen a very upsetting trend in the United States over the last three years – organizations have stopped valuing experienced, professional Project Managers.  Don’t tell me you haven’t seen it – companies put out a call for a position such as a business analyst, developer or technical specialist, and when you read the competencies for the job, it has project management all though it.  So, do they really want a business analyst, or have they asked for a business analyst with a PMP because they don’t want to pay for a professional project manager? In how many of these situations do they really need a professional Project Manager because the project is complex or mission critical?

I will admit that even I have questioned certifications in our industry, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP).  What does it really mean today? And does it help to filter out people who don’t have real and deep experience in project management? …..

So, as more and more companies post job openings where they want project management as one skill among many, will the project management profession become obsolete? The biggest problem with this trend is the de-valuing of thousands of professional project managers who have years of experience managing projects and applying project management principles to complex projects.  I am not saying every project manager has to be a certified or professional – not all projects are the same or require full time project management.  But many of the new projects we are seeing, which were delayed due to the recession, are strategic, with high visibility and should require a professional project manager.”

More Information

Paper PMPs

The PMP Credential

PMP Training

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By elroyking, March 17, 2012 10:31 am

Although this cartoon strip is pretty off the wall, anyone studying for the Project Management Professional exam will understand the mind numbing feeling of trying to get your head around the Project Management framework as described by the Project Management Institute. Dilbert’s take on it is as good as anyone’s.

More Information

Project Management Principles

Project Management Processes

Project Management Process Memorization Tool

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By elroyking, March 16, 2012 9:17 am

The PMP certification is difficult to qualify, and the test is hard to pass. Many project managers wonder if the effort is really worth the gain. Project Management is a field that is growing, and even continued strong during economic downturns. When money is tight, management turns to Project managers to control spending and use resources in efficient ways. If you were still on the fence about the value of the PMP Certification, then now is the time to see what Villanova University has to say about it.

Quoted from Villanova University:

“Why PMP^® Certification Is So Crucial:

• According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the average annual salary for PMP^® certified Project Managers in the U.S. is $111,824, almost $14,000 more than the salary of those without PMP^® certification.*
• PMI also reports demand for project professionals is staggering, with an average of 1.2 million projected new jobs needing to be filled each year for the next decade.**”

More Information on PMP Certification

PMP Certification

PMP Certification Training

PMP Certification Requirements

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By elroyking, March 15, 2012 9:58 am

Having a framework for Project Management requirements may help your projects deliver on time and under budget. The problem with most projects is that the requirements aren’t understood by the entire team. Training the team is an important part of the process. When teams interpret requirements differently, then the outcomes are usually not the best. Project Management works best with a Project Management Framework.

Project requirements are rarely collected and made available in a final form to a project team. Instead, requirements are often collected through an elicitation process, which involves a discovery, analysis, understanding and validation endeavor.

Usually, a business or requirements analyst carries out the requirements elicitation process. The project manager is typically responsible for planning and setting up the requirements elicitation and management framework.

Well-planned and well-managed project requirements are common characteristics of successful projects.

This simplified framework can be a guiding requirements checklist for project managers:

Organizational assets: Identify the available organizational process assets for planning and managing project requirements. The organization or project management office might already have standards, guidelines and templates that can or should be used as a starting point.

Stakeholders: Use the stakeholder register to identify the stakeholders who will help provide, collect, analyze and document the project requirements.

Categories: Identify and categorize the requirements types that are to be elicited, such as:

• Project requirements: Business requirements, end-user requirements, functional and non-functional requirements, etc.
• Product requirements: Technical requirements, product features, functional requirements, etc.
• Indirect requirements: Overhead imposed by organizational or enterprise environment and standards related to security, regulations, infrastructure and industry, etc.

Related articles

Project Management Framework

PM Framework guide PDF

Project Management Training

Comments (0)

By elroyking, March 14, 2012 11:22 am

Project Management needs a plan B. For Daphne Depassé, that means some interesting things. It means adding some new roles to the Project Management Team and extending the reach of project management to include the look and feel of the office and other environmental factors. What factors play a part in creating good projects? How do we react to these factors? Perhaps your Project Management needs a Plan B.

If we are really serious about the importance of the environment we work in and the stories we tell, we should have a Set Designer and a Storyteller on our projects.

Yes, I am totally serious.

So is Daphne Depassé, an Amsterdam based solution designer. As I live 20km from Amsterdam, you could say we are neighbors. And that makes me a happy neighbor.

She developed an entire method, Plan B, for running projects.

A method called “Plan B”!

“What’s the plan?”

“B.”

It’s awesome.

Like. The need for a Set Designer. And a Storyteller.

I want to be both. And a Project Shrink.

Or. The importance of the look and feel of the environment we work in.

 

For More Information

Set Designer and Story Teller

Project Management

Project Management Plan B

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By elroyking, March 13, 2012 10:30 am

Agile Project Management, The Must Have Skill

So many companies are looking at Agile development. It makes so much sense, agile makes projects more flexible and more manageable. Project management is enhanced by the agile methodology, not replaced by it. Every manager, even those who never think they will ever use agile can benefit from learning it. The PMI has this to say about it.

As more companies incorporate agile practices, it’s fast becoming a hot new skill. Here’s how to build your expertise — and show it off to employers.

28 February 2012

Agile is going mainstream — giving a distinct edge to project professionals with expertise in the area.

Sixty percent of 6,042 software project managers and developers from around the world reported that up to half of their company’s projects are implemented using agile practices, according to the “State of Agile Survey,” sponsored by VersionOne and conducted by July-November 2011. The survey also revealed 17 percent of companies don’t currently practice agile but plan to in the future.

Tech research giant Gartner predicts that 80 percent of software development projects will use agile development methods by the end of 2012. And although it has its roots in software development, agile is quickly spreading into other sectors.

“You’d better get on the agile train and learn it if you’re going to be a successful project manager in the future,” says Donna Reed, founder of The Agilista PM, a Seal Beach, California, USA-based consulting firm.

Project professionals must first develop a firm understanding of agile — and be willing to adjust. With traditional project management approaches, most of the parameters are known before launch. Agile, however, is iterative, with goals, milestones and features subject to change midstream. 

“Many classically trained project managers feel unnerved when dealing with the lack of prescription in agile projects,” says Simon Robertson, PMP, principal project manager and trainer of Robertson Consulting, Stockbridge, United Kingdom. “They find themselves fighting to be in control instead of embracing the constantly changing environment.”

 

Here are more Agile resources:

Wikipedia Agile

Agile Project Management PDF

Are you an agile project manager?

Comments (0)

By elroyking, March 13, 2012 10:13 am

Wouldn’t it help if you saw the PMBOK guide before it came out? What if you could contribute to make it better. Now is your chance:

Comments (24)

By elroyking, August 22, 2011 11:34 am

What Is PMP Certification?

PMP Certification is the desired outcome of creating a Project Management Professional (PMP®). The Project Management Institute (PMI®) started the PMP® credential their way to promote project management standards and PM excellence. The credential has grown to become one of the most popular project management credential in the world.

What Is PMP Certification, and what Do PMs Get Out Of It?

Project Managers that have the PMP® certification have training in nine knowledge areas, five process groups, and in professional responsibility and ethics. Those core fundamentals promoted by the PMI® are taught in project management classes and training. PMPs will typically make 15% more in salary than their counterparts who are not certified, they get more management respect and can be trusted with the biggest and most important company projects, not because they have a credential paper, but because they have the PM training that comes with getting the PMP® certificate. Training on the methodologies and PM best practices from the PMI’s guiding principles make a big difference to projects.

Project Management Spans All Disciplines

Although surprising, project management spans all disciplines and every industry. Everywhere you go, you will see projects. It may seem strange that information or education about project management can really apply to all of the industries, technologies, and applications world wide. Project management is often quite an art, because it is different across industries. The PMI® found that the life cycle of projects and products can differ from one industry to an other. What the PMI® wanted was to establish is a standards that could be applied to any project across all industries and disciplines that would produce better project results, no matter which industry it was applied to. The end result is an evolving standard endorsed by the PMI® via a document produced by them called the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® guide). The document is now at version 4, it contains 42 processes. They understand that not every business or project will need all 42 processes, so they have listed the processes separately, but have organized the processes so that project managers and their team can select the ones that make sense for their project.

What is PMP, and How it leads to Being The Best Project Manager

Applying the skills, knowledge, principles, and methodologies contained in the PMBOK® guide has proven to make projects more successful. This success is what sets PMPs on a pedestal, above their counterparts. Projects That are more successful, get noticed by upper management. Projects ran by PMPs are more likely to be on-time and on-budget. I hope this answers the question, what is PMP. Now on to how to get your PMP certification.

How To Become A PMP

To become a PMP®, project managers need to apply to take the PMP® exam. The application process takes some time and contains some prerequisites. Those prerequisites include project management certification education, and project management experience. If you need help applying for the PMP® credential the new On-Demand PMP® Bootcamp includes a step-by-step guide, and document templates that make applying for the PMP® a breeze. Take the worry out of the application process, and find out how easy it is to get that PMP® certification. See the references below to know more about What Is PMP.

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Comments (3)

By elroyking, August 22, 2011 10:45 am

Project Management Training

You are going to need Project Management Training if you want to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential. For more details about the PMP certification see PMP Credential. The hardest part about getting that certificate is that you are going to have to pass the difficult PMP certification exam. Project management experience is required to apply to take the exam, so many project managers believe that their experience will get them through the PMP exam. They are very wrong, and the high failure rates for the exam is evidence of how wrong they are. However, most project managers can pass the exam, once they have been trained in the PMI’s methodologies and processes. Rita Mulcahy, a prominent PMP instructor states in her book that 50% of those who fail the PMP exam, fail it because they lack the experience of managing large projects in the PMI’s methods. Project Management Training can overcome those obstacles and create an environment that will let you succeed.

Project Management Training Options

PMP exam training can be obtained in a lot of different ways. Modern communications technology creates even more opportunities than have ever existed. Truthfully, the most effective training has always been live classes or bootcamps. Many live classes or bootcamps boast over 90% pass rates on the PMP exam. The advantages of a live Project Management Training class or bootcamp can be summarized down to the following: 1. access to a live instructor that communicates the material in more than just an on-page format. 2. Being able to ask the instructor questions, which enhances the learning process and makes learning a lot easier and more complete. 3. Having other students in the class, which is beneficial because someone else will probably ask the questions that you sort of had but didn’t know how to vocalize. 4. Input from multiple senses, learning is better from a class because your reading re-enforces what you hear in class, and coupled with activities is retained much better. The disadvantages of a class has often out-weighes the advantages, however. The travel to and from the class is expensive. Lodging, while you attend the class away from home is expensive. The time away from work and home–especially the evenings and the down time when you are not attending class, is a huge waist. Also, the training from live classes has always been very expensive, in and of itself.

Live Online Project Management Training

How can you get the advantages of a live class, without the disadvantages? Where can you find a Project Management Training that costs so much less than an on-site class, and comes with a guarantee that you will pass the PMP exam? The answer is using modern technology to bring the class to you. You really can enrol in a LIVE PMP certification training, without leaving your home or office. You save all of the overhead that contributes nothing to your learning experience, so you can concentrate just on the learning. If you have an Internet connection, you have what you need for this Live-Online class. The live-online class has a live instructor that answers questions and teaches concepts. The class is made up of other online students, who can ask questions and reply to comments. The class comes with everything you need to pass the PMP exam, and with an iron clad guarantee that you will pass the PMP exam. At the present time, 97% of students that complete the course pass the PMP exam on their first try. Dig into the details of the Live Online PMP Certification Training.

On Demand Project Management Training

Perhaps you are thinking that a PMP certification training that was self paced might be a better choice for your current circumstances. You may be right. There is an option here that will be to your liking. The on demand PMP certification training provides the same materials and teaching that the live class provides, except that the lessons are not live, but archived. What this means is that the time commitment is the most flexible. You can really watch the classes when it is the most convenient for you. You miss out on the other students in the class, and being able to ask a live instructor questions, but, the instructor segments can be watched again and again to really get down those tough concepts. As a busy working professional, the on demand PMP certification training will absolutely work for you. Just look at everything you get with the PMP On-Demand Certification Training.

More Project Management Training Options

There are other options that are available to you for your PMP certification needs. Stop by our home page and get a FREE PMP Certification tool, that can help you memorized the PMP processes. Find Free PMP exam questions and PMP exam book reviews. It is all available at Project Management Training.

Comments (12)

By elroyking, August 22, 2011 10:40 am

PMP Certification Training

You are going to need PMP® certification training if you want to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential. For more details about the PMP certification see PMP Credential. The hardest part about getting that certificate is that you are going to have to pass the difficult PMP certification exam. Project management experience is required to apply to take the exam, so many project managers believe that their experience will get them through the PMP exam. They are very wrong, and the high failure rates for the exam is evidence of how wrong they are. However, most project managers can pass the exam, once they have been trained in the PMI’s methodologies and processes. Rita Mulcahy, a prominent PMP instructor states in her book that 50% of those who fail the PMP exam, fail it because they lack the experience of managing large projects in the PMI’s methods. PMP certification training can overcome those obstacles and create an environment that will let you succeed.

PMP Certification Training Options

PMP exam training can be obtained in a lot of different ways. Modern communications technology creates even more opportunities than have ever existed. Truthfully, the most effective training has always been live classes or bootcamps. Many live classes or bootcamps boast over 90% pass rates on the PMP exam. The advantages of a live class or bootcamp can be summarized down to the following: 1. access to a live instructor that communicates the material in more than just an on-page format. 2. Being able to ask the instructor questions, which enhances the learning process and makes learning a lot easier and more complete. 3. Having other students in the class, which is beneficial because someone else will probably ask the questions that you sort of had but didn’t know how to vocalize. 4. Input from multiple senses, learning is better from a class because your reading re-enforces what you hear in class, and coupled with activities is retained much better. The disadvantages of a class has often outweighes the advantages, however. The travel to and from the class is expensive. Lodging, while you attend the class away from home is expensive. The time away from work and home–especially the evenings and the down time when you are not attending class, is a huge waist. Also, the training from live classes has always been very expensive, in and of itself.

Live Online PMP Certification Training

How can you get the advantages of a live class, without the disadvantages? Where can you find a training that costs so much less than an on-site class, and comes with a guarantee that you will pass the PMP exam? The answer is using modern technology to bring the class to you. You really can enrol in a LIVE PMP certification training, without leaving your home or office. You save all of the overhead that contributes nothing to your learning experience, so you can concentrate just on the learning. If you have an Internet connection, you have what you need for this Live-Online class. The live-online class has a live instructor that answers questions and teaches concepts. The class is made up of other online students, who can ask questions and reply to comments. The class comes with everything you need to pass the PMP exam, and with an iron clad guarantee that you will pass the PMP exam. At the present time, 97% of students that complete the course pass the PMP exam on their first try. Dig into the details of the Live Online PMP Certification Training.

On Demand PMP Certification Training

Perhaps you are thinking that a PMP certification training that was self paced might be a better choice for your current circumstances. You may be right. There is an option here that will be to your liking. The on demand PMP certification training provides the same materials and teaching that the live class provides, except that the lessons are not live, but archived. What this means is that the time commitment is the most flexible. You can really watch the classes when it is the most convenient for you. You miss out on the other students in the class, and being able to ask a live instructor questions, but, the instructor segments can be watched again and again to really get down those tough concepts. As a busy working professional, the on demand PMP certification training will absolutely work for you. Just look at everything you get with the PMP On-Demand Certification Training.

More PMP Certification Training Options

There are other options that are available to you for your PMP certification needs. Stop by our home page and get a FREE PMP Certification tool, that can help you memorized the PMP processes. Find Free PMP exam questions and PMP exam book reviews. It is all available at pmexamready.com.