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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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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.

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By elroyking, May 20, 2011 5:51 pm

The Project Management Institute or PMI was founded in 1969. It has become the largest organization for project managers. PMI is the leads the world as a membership association designed just for the project management profession. If you are a project manager, and want to further your career, this is the place for you. The PMI boasts more than half a million members, some of which are credential holders, they can be found in over 185 countries. If you want to be recognized as someone who stands out in your organization, you will want to associate yourself with the these guys. The PMI standards and credentials are recognized throughout the world, along with their professional development opportunities and very large research program.
Project management is found everywhere, in every industry and discipline. The PMI is the basis for open standards and has had a hand in the overall acceptance of project management’s successful role in academics, industries, organizations, and governments..

Among the services that the PMI provides are credential certificates for for project practitioners of all skill or education levels. There are currently five credentials. Obtaining a credential shows both your project management expertise as well as a commitment to the profession. PMI certifications ensure that you and your projects excel.

Project management is more important now than ever before because, now, one-fifth of the world’s GDP, which equates to $12 trillion, is being spent on projects.

Something to keep in mind is that many skilled PM practitioners will be leaving the workforce because of retirement — in the United States alone, it is estimated that 40% of the project management workforce will be out the door by 2015 — Without a doubt, the demand for these kinds of knowledgeable project managers is truly growing. As much as $4.5 trillion of that total GDP is estimated to be at risk, and the holes found in the current talent pools are getting larger and larger.

With the upcoming opportunities, you can find your place to be competitive. Currently there are more than 400,000 PMI credential holders, they can be found in every industry, telecommunications, healthcare, finance, IT and construction, and many more. In a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007, 80% of projects that were high-performing, used a credentialed project manager. Prepare for your future by a PMI certification.

Available Certifications:

Project Management Professional (PMP)®
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®

For courses that prepare you to get one of these credentials go to PMExamReady.com, and get ready to pass the PMP exam

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By elroyking, April 30, 2011 9:41 pm

PMP Exam

The PMP exam is the portal (or the roadblock) on the road to Project Management Professional certification. It is the one thing that prevents many project managers from achieving the sought after credential.

Getting past that roadblock is something that is achievable for most project managers, but they need a plan and some good execution to make it happen.

What Is On The PMP Exam?

Passing the PMP exam starts with a basic understanding of what the exam actually covers. The Project Management Institute (PMI) publishes a guide that explains the make up of the test. The table below summarizes that information.

Figure 1 Summary of Contents of PMP Exam
PM Process Percent of Questions
Project Initiating 11
Project Planning 23
Project Executing 27
Project Monitoring and Controlling 21
Project Closing 9
Professional and Social Responsibility 9

Types of PMP Questions

Knowing what will be on the PMP exam also entails knowing what types of questions will be on the exam.

Types of Questions

* Knowledge based — these types of questions entail remembering facts and principles of project management best practices as outlined in the PMBOK guide.

* Situational — these types of questions are looking for the student’s understanding of how to apply the project management principles. It usually starts with something like “You are the project manager for company XYZ, and you have just…”, after explaining some background the questions will be worded around what you should do in this situation or what you should do next.

* Formula Based — these questions require you to remember a formula or calculation that would help you make a decision or manage some aspect of the project.

* Interpretation Based — these questions test if you can interpret where you are in the process and what evidences tell you about what situation your project is in.

In all cases, you will need to select the best answer from among what may seem like more than one reasonable answers. This can be very difficult. It can help to answer a number of sample test questions to become acquainted with each question type.

Make A Plan

At this point, you should make your test preparation into a project. Create a preparation plan and stick to your plan. There are several ways to get ready for your exam. If you have the time and the resources I would recommend a live PMP prep class, make sure it is a PMI R.E.P. approved class, that it provides the 35 contact hours that you might need, and that it has a guarrantee that you will pass on the first attempt.

Preparing On Your Own

If you are going to try to prepare on your own, below is a good summary of what you really need to do to be ready to take the difficult 200 question 4 hour exam.

Get your training materials from at least three separate sources. There are good books out there, there are good courses and workbooks out there, but few of them are designed to really fill all of the needs of an aspiring PMP test taker.

Consider starting with the PMBOK guide. Some people will say that you don’t need it, and I will be the first to admit that it is a good reference book, but is really dry reading–however, it is the basis of the exam and seeing the materials as they are presented by PMI is educational on its own.

PMP Exam Prep Books

There are three really good Exam Prep Books: Rita Mulcahy’s, Andy Crowe’s, and Head First texts. I prefer Rita’s text, it is more in depth and has a number of activities that are unique to it. However, I have found Andy’s text easy reading, it follows the PMBOK guide best of the three, and it has good sample test questions. The Head First text uses modern learning methods that incorporate the use of marginal notes, highlighted captions, and lots of pictures and examples. I really liked the layout and the different way that it teaches the material.

Multi Media

I find it easier to learn material when it comes in different media and methods. I would suggest adding an audio/visual course such as the PM Prepcast, or a course that include audio/visual material such as on-demand PMP bootcamp. Both courses will earn students 35 contact hours, and will be a great boost to learning the material.

Take a Sample PMP Exam

One of the best ways to prepare for a PMP exam is to take a lot of sample questions. The PM Exam Simulator can give you nine base PMP exams to practice on which includes some 1800 questions. You can get a feel for the format of the test which is the closest we have seen to the real test, and you can see what the quality of the sample exam is like by trying out the Free PM Exam Simulator. Go ahead try it today. Another option for a PMP Exam Simulator is the PMP Practice Exam System.

So the plan from here is to get the printed materials that appeal to you (click on the links above where you can click on the “look inside” link that will take you inside each text, where you can get a feel for each one and make a decision about which one might be best for you). Next get a hold of an audio/visual test instruction. The instructors are all PMI R.E.P approved, you will appreciate the quality of the instruction and how they can help you study the right things. I didn’t mention it before, but I really like flash cards to help me learn important facts for tests. There are two that I could recommend they are Hot Topics and PM eFlash Cards. Both are great and worth the value. Finally chose a practice exam system to round out your study. Give yourself 3-4 months to do the study and memorizing and get ready to be PMP Exam Certified.

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By elroyking, January 3, 2011 10:41 am

Get Ready For The PMP Exam

Watch the video and get PMP Exam Ready!

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By elroyking, December 9, 2010 11:44 am

What About All Of The PMBOK Complaints

If you are preparing for the PMP® exam, then you have heard the groans and complaints about the PMBOK® guide. Here and there you hear that you really don’t need the PMBOK® guide to pass the PMP® certification exam! That may be true, but your chances of passing the PMP® exam grow significantly when you read and understand the material in the PMBOK® guide.

PMBOK Recomendations

Rita Mulcahy, in her book, PMP® Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam, on page 13, recommends reading through the PMBOK® guide. Rita has helped 10s of thousands of students pass the PMP® exam. Follow her recommendation to read the PMBOK® guide. You can get a copy of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback) version 4 here.

Rita isn’t the only proponent of the PMBOK® guide. The PMI® called the work the guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. They put EVERYTHING they could think of in the volume and they continue to update it regularly.

Video Recommendations

Cornelius Fitchner, the author of The PM Prepcast, the absolute best value PMP® Prep training course available recommends reading the PMBOK® guide at least twice. See the video below for his recomendation.

The PMBOK Guide As A Reference

The PMBOK® guide is admittedly dry. It serves me as a great reference volume, however. I find my self referring to it often. If you really want the PMBOK® to come to life, if you really want to understand it and the PMI® designed it, you need The PM Prepcast®. Cornelius Fitchner really cuts through the confusion to teach the PMI® principles in a straight-forward and understandable manner. He also add a good amount of examples and principle application, which the PMBOK® does not have. The PM Prepcast®, will bring meaning to the PMBOK®. Use them together for a winning combination.

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Get you FREE PMP Process Memorization Tool

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By elroyking, December 8, 2010 9:39 am

Rita’s Best Selling PMP® Exam Prep Book

In her book, PMP® Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP® Exam outlines a study program for passing the PMP® exam that has worked for 10’s of thousands of PMP® students. Rita’s book, PMP® Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP® Exam is the best selling PMP® Exam Prep book on the market. Why? Because she had really distilled the PMP® information that is really important on the test–and lots of people have been able to pass the test with her instruction.

Rita’s Proven Method For Passing The PMP® Exam

Rita combines her book with her PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6 for stunning results. With Rita’s Method, you can be ready to take and pass the PMP Exam in as few as three to four months. I am going to summarize her approach, which you will see, really makes sense, in the paragraphs below:

From her book on page, on page 13, is a plan for using this book and the PM FASTrack software, and Hot Topics Flashcards For Passing the PMP and CAPM Exams as a complete PMP® Exam Prep System.

Rita’s Step-By-Step Instructions, From her Book

1. Before you read this book, test yourself on 20 questions in each process group and each knowledge area using PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP® Exam: Version 6. This will help you determine how much study time you need and which chapters to ream more carefully. This will give you a baseline from which to track your progress and study.

2.Read the material in this book for the first time, focusing on the chapters where you had the most errors in Step 1. Refer to Rita’s Process chart for each chapter, and skim through the corresponding chapter in the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide) (Paperback) version 4. (If you are a PMI member, you can download an electronic version for free.) (The PMBOK® guide is a great reference volume, I refer to it often in my work. Keep it handy, it is very useful.)

3. As you finish a chapter, review the Quicktest terms listed on the first page of the chapter, and use the Hot Topics Flashcards to improve recall and test your understanding of that chapter. Then take and exam on the PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software. You are doing well if you score over 70 percent.

4. If at all possible, form a study group any time after you have read the book for the first time on your own. This will actually make your study time shorter and more effective! You will be able to ask someone questions, and the studying (and celebrating afterward) will be more fun. A study group should consist of only three or four people.

5. Spend more time reviewing any topics you scored poorly on before moving to Step 6.

6. Make sure you really know the material, and then take a PMP® simulation on PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software.

7. Review the questions you got wrong on the PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software. Make sure you identify in writing the specific, not general, reason you got each question wrong on the simulation. This is very important.

8. Use you list of why you got each question wrong from step 7, to study some material further. Make sure you are thinking “large project” and how proper project management should be done, whether or not you use it correctly in your real world!

9. Take your final PMP® simulation exam. You must score over 75% before you take the real exam.

10. Use the Hot Topics Flashcards to retain the information you have learned until you take the exam.

11. Pass the exam!

Pass The PMP Exam With Rita’s Help, and Get a DISCOUNT!

I think Rita is right on the nose for a PMP® Exam Study process that will get you to passing the PMP exam on your first try! Use Rita’s process and you will find success. One suggestion that I could add, is purchase her book, PMP® Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP® Exam here. It sells for about $99 on the retail shelves. Get it here for about $63, ⅓ off of the retial cost!

Save Even More By Enhancing Rita’s Process!

Rita’s course is amazing, and you can’t argue with the results, however, there are two things that I might change about her process. The first one is that her PM FASTrack software runs about $300, no online discounts for that one. I have found the PMP Exam Simulator that sells for under $50, it features 10 base full-length PMP® Exams, and up to 6000 separate questions. It is really the top value for a PMP® Exam Simulation Software.

Replace One Step, Improve Your Exam Scores, Save LOTS of MONEY!

The second thing that I might change, is that finding a study group is hard, but reviewing the material verbally and visually is still very effective for learning the PMP® material. I would suggest the The PM Prepcast. If you can’t find a study group, the The PM Prepcast is PMP training on a podcast. You can listen to it on your commute or watch it on your computer. It is a great companion to Rita’s PMP® Exam Prep book and the PMBOK® guide. Hey, with the money you save by purchasing the PMP® Exam Simulator instead of the FASTrack software, you can get the The PM Prepcast and still have money left in your pocket!

If you have read through this article all the way, you deserve the free gift below. Register to get your PMP® Exam Process Memorization Tool, and memorize the PMP® processes the easy way!

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By elroyking, September 24, 2010 3:20 pm

To pass the PMP® exam, you are going to want to take a lot of practice exam questions. Taking practice exam questions gets you ready for the format and style of the PMP® Exam. Taking practice questions can help you know what areas you still need to study more about. Taking practice questions can prepare you like nothing else for the pressures and over-all feeling of what the 4 hour PMP® exam will be like. Truth be told, however, taking the questions, by itself isn’t enough. You need to have an explanation of why the answers were the best answers and why some that may have seemed right weren’t the best answers. You need a PMP® test with a detailed explanations of why the best answers are the best answers!

Enter the PMP Exam Prep Questions, Answers, & Explanations: 800+ PMP Practice Questions with Detailed Solutions (Volume 1)

A volume with more that 800 PMP® exam questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This is the help that you need. It will get you over the hump and ready to take the PMP® exam.

Elroy King

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What if you could pass the PMP® exam without breaking the bank ?

You can be ready for the PMP® exam.

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By elroyking, September 3, 2010 10:01 am

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.

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By elroyking, June 15, 2010 9:46 am

What is the WBS?

WBS stands for work breakdown structure. It is a hierarchal, graphical representation of the entire scope of a project. If the tasks or activities are not represented in the work breakdown structure, they are not part of the project. The WBS is an important tool for project management. It is the basis for planning executing and controlling a project. The WBS makes it possible to break the project into manageable pieces. Many project management texts will call the smallest work packages in the hierarchy “tasks”. The PMI uses the word activities. Many inexperienced project managers will try to replace the WBS with a simple list of tasks. This will not have the same benefits of the WBS, some activities might be missed and slip through the cracks. The following are the benefits of the WBS.

What are the benefits of using the WBS?

-Work doesn’t slip through the cracks.
-Helps project team to see the big picture, and where their portions of the project fit in.
-Opens channels of communication among team members and with stakeholders.
-Eliminates factors that could cause change.
-Better quality.
-Easier management.
-Is the basis for cost, resource, and time estimates.
-Can be the proof for the cost and time of the project.
-Helps to get the sign-off from the team.
-Let’s everyone see the whole project.

How do you create the WBS?

-Start with the deliverables.
-Break down each deliverable into control accounts.
-The control accounts are the places where we will aggregate the cost and schedule estimates.
-Break the control accounts down into work packages.
-Continue breaking down the work packages until the activities are between 8 and 80 hours (rule of thumb for activity size).

What is a WBS dictionary?

The WBS usually has one to three words that describe the deliverables, the control accounts, the work packages and activities. The WBS dictionary gives the detailed description to each item in the WBS. It is a mechanical means to control scope creep. The WBS dictionary describes the work so that it continues to be the same throughout the project.

The work breakdown structures is a key feature of the PMP exam. Most test takers that fail the test, fail sections that have to do with the WBS because it is so integral to the project, but so few project managers use them. Become very familiar with the WBS with PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam pages 159-167. There is an indepth discussion, examples, and exercises that will really prepare you right for the WBS section of the PMP exam.

Elroy King

If you have any questions about project management or the PMP exam, leave them for me in a comment, and I will try to answer your questions.

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