Posted on Nov 11, 2014
What is the best way to obtain PMP certification?
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To the PMPs out there or those in the process, what way did you use to become certified? did you use a specific company? how did you determine which company offered the best quality for your investment? what did you discover were advantages of having the credential? what is the appropriate amount to invest for the credential (have seen everything from $500-$2500)?
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certifications
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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Ma'am, I recently retired from the Air Force and I am currently looking to earn my PMP certification. I too was looking for the best route to complete the educational requirements. I have looked at on-line training companies as well as colleges and university programs. Recently, I had a fellow retired CMSgt recommend the Syracuse University's Veteran's Career Transition Program at: http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/
The program is fully funded by JP Morgan Chase so there is no cost to veterans. There are numerous certification tracks to include Project Management. Training is on-line and once completed you receive a Certificate in Project Management from Syracuse University and the program will pay for the actual certification exam from PMI.
The program is fully funded by JP Morgan Chase so there is no cost to veterans. There are numerous certification tracks to include Project Management. Training is on-line and once completed you receive a Certificate in Project Management from Syracuse University and the program will pay for the actual certification exam from PMI.
Effective immediately, military spouses can: Apply to the Professional Skills Track to learn professional (or "soft") skills necessary to gain and maintain employment outside the military, including content developed in partnership with MOAA specifically for military spouses. Apply to the Tech Track to learn industry related skills surrounding information technology, project management, and human resources. Apply to the Independent Study...
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Ma'am,
In order to complete the classroom requirement, you can either bring someone in (we had a guy named perry jones come to Leonard wood and give the course when I was in ECCC. Dont recall the name of his company though) or you can take online classes through the army eLearning portal (on ako). The army eLearning portal has a ton of PMP courses and you can also use them for the continuing education requirement when renewing your certification.
In order to complete the classroom requirement, you can either bring someone in (we had a guy named perry jones come to Leonard wood and give the course when I was in ECCC. Dont recall the name of his company though) or you can take online classes through the army eLearning portal (on ako). The army eLearning portal has a ton of PMP courses and you can also use them for the continuing education requirement when renewing your certification.
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Suspended Profile
Apologies for the length of this (and these are my own thoughts, I don't work for PMI or any other company mentioned in this). Also, I am writing from the perspective of an Army officer with military education through CGSC and AWC.
1. You need the minimal requirements for the application, so don’t overthink it. You need a four-year degree, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.
a. Four-year degree. Any four-year degree works.
b. 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. This is easier than it sounds. First, PMI takes a broad perspective on defining a “project” as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result”. You decide how to split this up, but all PMO wants to see 4500 hours over at least three years. PMI also likes to see a spread across the five domains (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing).
c. 35 hours of project management education – you should be able to come up with this based on prior training – either as part of your four-year degree, or some later training. (If you do the PMP boot camp that I recommend, that also fulfills this requirement).
2. The experience sounds like a tough requirement to fill – it is not. I broke my experiences down by year, tracking my OERs in the Army, and lumped them into big chunks. I got audited. I panicked. I should not. All they want to respond to an audit is you fill out a form, send it to the person you said was your supervisor for the period in time, and they sign a form that verifies that you worked for them, did the hours you claim. That was it. I worried about nothing. All PMI wants is a signature that supports your claim. I suspect I got audited because some of my experiences were two years while deployed, and I claimed more than 2000 hours in a year (in three separate jobs). For the “typical” job that works 40 hours a week and 50 weeks a year, claiming 2000+ hours in a year managing projects sticks out, even if it was the reality of life deployed. I recommend staying around 1500-1600 hours to keep it under the PMI radar. You decide how to count hours – I just took a guess, to be honest – and PMI is not looking for some detailed spreadsheet. By splitting it up to match OERs, I rolled multiple projects into the one job – make it easier on yourself.
3. Training. You know what you know. You do not need another formal class on project management. I knew I needed to immerse myself in the technical language of PMI, not general concepts. A friend pointed me to Edwel and their four-day boot camp, which I highly recommend. It was four days of intense class, multiple practice exams, and I learned a lot about project management, PMP, and PMI. I came home, continued to read, review my notes and boot camp prep book, and did at least four full practice exams, then took the PMP exam about 10 days after the boot camp – and passed. I used Edwel, and have referred several others to it – and everybody has been satisfied with the training. http://www.edwel.com They offer an expensive version with guaranteed pass (basically, they pay for your re-test if you don’t pass on the first try). If you sign up in advance, it’s about $1500 but well worth it, in my opinion. Syracuse has a program, but for me - I didn't need more formal training. I understood the processes - I just needed to immerse myself in the PMI language so I could take and pass the test. To be brutally honest - MDMP and PMI's processes are very similar, so if you understand MDMP, you should handle getting the PMP.
4. When you apply, go ahead and join PMI, for two reasons
a. First, you can download PMI materials for free – like the PMBOK. I also recommend getting it in hard copy from Amazon or somebody – and only buy the current edition, don’t try and cut corners and get an old version – they do change.
b. Second, you can join groups within PMI, and do webinars for free. You will need 60 hours of continuing education (Professional Development Units or PDUs) every three years, after you pass the PMP exam. You can claim 5 hours a year just for being a project manager, so you need another 45 hours of PDUs. You can listen to free PMI webinars – you register, log in, and stay on until the end – then you automatically get credit. It is listen only, so I used to connect to the lunchtime webinars, and work on email or other things with the webinar playing in the background. There are no tests. Some people pay thousands of dollars to fly to conferences to accumulate their PDUs … what a waste of money when you can do the webinars for free.
5. The exam. It is offered at designated exam centers, and your application has to be approved before you can sign up for the exam. It is four hours, didn’t take me that long, all on a computer. At the end, you have to do a survey about the test center – the exam is being graded in the background, so you will know before you leave if you passed or failed.
6. I hope this helps. Feel free to email me at [login to see] if anybody wants more detail.
1. You need the minimal requirements for the application, so don’t overthink it. You need a four-year degree, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.
a. Four-year degree. Any four-year degree works.
b. 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. This is easier than it sounds. First, PMI takes a broad perspective on defining a “project” as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result”. You decide how to split this up, but all PMO wants to see 4500 hours over at least three years. PMI also likes to see a spread across the five domains (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing).
c. 35 hours of project management education – you should be able to come up with this based on prior training – either as part of your four-year degree, or some later training. (If you do the PMP boot camp that I recommend, that also fulfills this requirement).
2. The experience sounds like a tough requirement to fill – it is not. I broke my experiences down by year, tracking my OERs in the Army, and lumped them into big chunks. I got audited. I panicked. I should not. All they want to respond to an audit is you fill out a form, send it to the person you said was your supervisor for the period in time, and they sign a form that verifies that you worked for them, did the hours you claim. That was it. I worried about nothing. All PMI wants is a signature that supports your claim. I suspect I got audited because some of my experiences were two years while deployed, and I claimed more than 2000 hours in a year (in three separate jobs). For the “typical” job that works 40 hours a week and 50 weeks a year, claiming 2000+ hours in a year managing projects sticks out, even if it was the reality of life deployed. I recommend staying around 1500-1600 hours to keep it under the PMI radar. You decide how to count hours – I just took a guess, to be honest – and PMI is not looking for some detailed spreadsheet. By splitting it up to match OERs, I rolled multiple projects into the one job – make it easier on yourself.
3. Training. You know what you know. You do not need another formal class on project management. I knew I needed to immerse myself in the technical language of PMI, not general concepts. A friend pointed me to Edwel and their four-day boot camp, which I highly recommend. It was four days of intense class, multiple practice exams, and I learned a lot about project management, PMP, and PMI. I came home, continued to read, review my notes and boot camp prep book, and did at least four full practice exams, then took the PMP exam about 10 days after the boot camp – and passed. I used Edwel, and have referred several others to it – and everybody has been satisfied with the training. http://www.edwel.com They offer an expensive version with guaranteed pass (basically, they pay for your re-test if you don’t pass on the first try). If you sign up in advance, it’s about $1500 but well worth it, in my opinion. Syracuse has a program, but for me - I didn't need more formal training. I understood the processes - I just needed to immerse myself in the PMI language so I could take and pass the test. To be brutally honest - MDMP and PMI's processes are very similar, so if you understand MDMP, you should handle getting the PMP.
4. When you apply, go ahead and join PMI, for two reasons
a. First, you can download PMI materials for free – like the PMBOK. I also recommend getting it in hard copy from Amazon or somebody – and only buy the current edition, don’t try and cut corners and get an old version – they do change.
b. Second, you can join groups within PMI, and do webinars for free. You will need 60 hours of continuing education (Professional Development Units or PDUs) every three years, after you pass the PMP exam. You can claim 5 hours a year just for being a project manager, so you need another 45 hours of PDUs. You can listen to free PMI webinars – you register, log in, and stay on until the end – then you automatically get credit. It is listen only, so I used to connect to the lunchtime webinars, and work on email or other things with the webinar playing in the background. There are no tests. Some people pay thousands of dollars to fly to conferences to accumulate their PDUs … what a waste of money when you can do the webinars for free.
5. The exam. It is offered at designated exam centers, and your application has to be approved before you can sign up for the exam. It is four hours, didn’t take me that long, all on a computer. At the end, you have to do a survey about the test center – the exam is being graded in the background, so you will know before you leave if you passed or failed.
6. I hope this helps. Feel free to email me at [login to see] if anybody wants more detail.
PMP Certification Training | Edwel Programs | Project Management Courses
PMP certification training, Six sigma training, and agile scrum training from Edwel Programs - the leader in PMP exam prep and project management training for over 25 years.
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I took the PMP exam and passed in 2002. Several related jobs contributed to understanding PM requirements, especially having been a PM for a year right after retirement. The company President told me as I left to go to the site: Focus on budget, cost, technical and schedule. It took me awhile to fully understand that. Before taking the PMP test I attended a week long review that was pretty good for about $500. Another job I had included earned value management system implementation and certification, and understanding how it all fit together. I have found that having the credential is important in the private sector, and somewhat in the Government, but the most important aspect is understanding and applying the basics, and how they are all tied together. My biggest issue with the PMP is that initially the terms utilized DOE "lingo", and a lot of terms did not necessarily tie in with my military and contractor experience. My recommendation is practice the art as a PM and ask someone experienced in the business specific questions about project execution. I have been fortunate enough to have worked for a great PM, and have helped several to understand the process. Another source for PMP preparation is the local PMI Chapter - they offer courses several times a year, cost is minimal, and are usually taught by a good experienced instructor. Thanks Alicia for asking the question! (four months ago) and keeping up with the comments.
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CPT Treg Ogborn
Absolutely! For the 35 hours I used time from BOLC and CLC3 - training to run missions is very similar to "formal" project management training. I have since taken project management classes at the graduate level and maintain that opinion.
Next, all the PMPs I know used RMC Project Management (Rita's for short) products to self-study their way to certification. Rita has options for visual and auditory learners - I also highly recommend her "Hot Topics" series because it really helped me pull together the project management framework in my head. They are available here: http://www.rmcproject.com/product/pmp-prep.aspx.
Next, all the PMPs I know used RMC Project Management (Rita's for short) products to self-study their way to certification. Rita has options for visual and auditory learners - I also highly recommend her "Hot Topics" series because it really helped me pull together the project management framework in my head. They are available here: http://www.rmcproject.com/product/pmp-prep.aspx.
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CPT Treg Ogborn
Also, make sure you're working out of the PMBOK 5th Edition - I just read back through the thread and noticed a few points of advice that are specific to the 4th Edition. The 5th Edition breaks out Stakeholder Management into the 10th area. PMI also increased the difficulty level of the test with the 5th Edition so don't be disheartened if you aren't a first time go; you will be in good company.
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COL (Join to see) while at ECCC they had some offers. I did not take part of it as I was working on my PhD, but if you contact them they might be able to answer for you.
http://www.wood.army.mil/usaes/554TH.html
http://www.wood.army.mil/usaes/554TH.html
The United States Army | Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri | U.S. Army Engineer School
The 554th Engineer Battalion conducts training to produce technically and tactically competent, values based engineers for the Armed Services; conducts leader development training to produce engineer leaders for the Regiment; supports the Regiment and MANSCEN. We teach a variety of schools including Horizontal skills, Maintenance, Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Captains Career Course, and Warrant Officer Engineer Course
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Col. Smith,
I am currently in pursuit of my PMP as well. I am making efforts to become a Technical Project Manager. I transitioned from the Intel community to IT about two years ago. The resources listed below are great for both Technical and non-Technical PM's. I used the IVMF VCTP program others have referenced as well. It was beneficial, but the modules were choppy and the material was dry. That said, it is free and worth the time investment.
YouTube:
I've put together some playlist going over Project Management methodology and software training.
1) Excel 2010: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDFE10CBB8840370D
2) Excel VBA Basics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8O1w0Hv2ztGjIkrW7suD6oNDaOk3vbR
3) PM Excel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATZxN-bRjkw9-tfjhjKBLThu
4) PM SQL training: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATZ5V84V9g2o8jMSmY8rSPtL
5) PM Methodology and Techniques: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATakC_uI3nVAW38ndKWwJZfa
6) MS Project/Project Server: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATbEnI8Cqd6BkruQIVQMm41-
7) SQL videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA2668C17D988806E
Udemy:
Here are some Udemy courses to help you with Excel. (I recommend purchasing through the Udemy app—some over 90% off. Also, wait a couple of days to register. They usually send a 50% coupon email).
1) Excel - From beginner to Expert in 6 hours ($5 with coupon): https://www.udemy.com/thebestexcel/
2) The Excel Programmer Course (VBA's) ($9 through app): https://www.udemy.com/ultimate-excel-programmer/#/
Jeff Minder:
Jeff is a former SERE instructor who has an online course to help you ace the PMP. I spoke with Jeff the other week for about 20 minutes. He seems like a great and engaging instructor. I recommend reaching out to him if you have any questions (he's here on RallyPoint).
[Full disclosure: I have yet to sign up for his course ... but I plan on it. I'm currently juggling 3 night classes, so I don't have the time to invest in his course just yet.]
1) All things PM related ($149): http://www.jeffminder.com/#!all-things-project-management/c1lam
PM Training online:
1) PMP® Premium Exam Prep Course Bundle (PMBOK® 5th Edition) - 30 courses, 52 Contact Hours/PDUs PLUS Premium Exam Simulation PLUS PM Prepcast Podcast ($439): http://www.pmtrainingonline.com/product/PMTO-PMP-5th-Ed-proj-02
I am currently in pursuit of my PMP as well. I am making efforts to become a Technical Project Manager. I transitioned from the Intel community to IT about two years ago. The resources listed below are great for both Technical and non-Technical PM's. I used the IVMF VCTP program others have referenced as well. It was beneficial, but the modules were choppy and the material was dry. That said, it is free and worth the time investment.
YouTube:
I've put together some playlist going over Project Management methodology and software training.
1) Excel 2010: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDFE10CBB8840370D
2) Excel VBA Basics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8O1w0Hv2ztGjIkrW7suD6oNDaOk3vbR
3) PM Excel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATZxN-bRjkw9-tfjhjKBLThu
4) PM SQL training: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATZ5V84V9g2o8jMSmY8rSPtL
5) PM Methodology and Techniques: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATakC_uI3nVAW38ndKWwJZfa
6) MS Project/Project Server: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdHQSe0kATbEnI8Cqd6BkruQIVQMm41-
7) SQL videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA2668C17D988806E
Udemy:
Here are some Udemy courses to help you with Excel. (I recommend purchasing through the Udemy app—some over 90% off. Also, wait a couple of days to register. They usually send a 50% coupon email).
1) Excel - From beginner to Expert in 6 hours ($5 with coupon): https://www.udemy.com/thebestexcel/
2) The Excel Programmer Course (VBA's) ($9 through app): https://www.udemy.com/ultimate-excel-programmer/#/
Jeff Minder:
Jeff is a former SERE instructor who has an online course to help you ace the PMP. I spoke with Jeff the other week for about 20 minutes. He seems like a great and engaging instructor. I recommend reaching out to him if you have any questions (he's here on RallyPoint).
[Full disclosure: I have yet to sign up for his course ... but I plan on it. I'm currently juggling 3 night classes, so I don't have the time to invest in his course just yet.]
1) All things PM related ($149): http://www.jeffminder.com/#!all-things-project-management/c1lam
PM Training online:
1) PMP® Premium Exam Prep Course Bundle (PMBOK® 5th Edition) - 30 courses, 52 Contact Hours/PDUs PLUS Premium Exam Simulation PLUS PM Prepcast Podcast ($439): http://www.pmtrainingonline.com/product/PMTO-PMP-5th-Ed-proj-02
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What is the best way to obtain PMP certification? A few points:
- The basic PMP model is: apply, test, maintain.
- Application: Can apply online. Application consists of contact information, education, project management experiences, and references. Education and experience levels vary. Higher education means less experience required and vise versa. 35 hours PM education required. Several different ways to get these 35 hours. Generally higher cost means better quality for this various ways.
- Test. 200 multiple choice test in 4 hours. 175 questions are graded and 25 are not but the testee does not know which are graded or not. Cost is about $550. Person does not have to be a member of PMI to obtain PMP but cost reduction in test by being a PMI member makes it worthwhile. Test covers five processes (initiation, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing) along with nine areas (integration, scope, time, cost, quality, communication, human resources, risk, procurement).
- Maintain. 60 PDUs are needed in a 3 year period in order to maintain PMP certification. This is 20 PDUs a year and can be earned via a variety of means. It is easier than it appears to at first glance.
- Recommended TTPs. Get a PMP mentor early and engage often throughout the process, research various ways to meet the application requirements, study hard and deliberately, contact me direct for more specific recommendations.
- The basic PMP model is: apply, test, maintain.
- Application: Can apply online. Application consists of contact information, education, project management experiences, and references. Education and experience levels vary. Higher education means less experience required and vise versa. 35 hours PM education required. Several different ways to get these 35 hours. Generally higher cost means better quality for this various ways.
- Test. 200 multiple choice test in 4 hours. 175 questions are graded and 25 are not but the testee does not know which are graded or not. Cost is about $550. Person does not have to be a member of PMI to obtain PMP but cost reduction in test by being a PMI member makes it worthwhile. Test covers five processes (initiation, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing) along with nine areas (integration, scope, time, cost, quality, communication, human resources, risk, procurement).
- Maintain. 60 PDUs are needed in a 3 year period in order to maintain PMP certification. This is 20 PDUs a year and can be earned via a variety of means. It is easier than it appears to at first glance.
- Recommended TTPs. Get a PMP mentor early and engage often throughout the process, research various ways to meet the application requirements, study hard and deliberately, contact me direct for more specific recommendations.
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Colonel, I used PMCampus. I purchased one of their on-line bundles and studied on my own for about 2 months. When I was done, I had about $700 invested. http://www.pmcampus.com/
A boot camp is the fastest way to get certified and that will run you around $2500.
A boot camp is the fastest way to get certified and that will run you around $2500.
PMP Training Online and PMP Certification Exam Prep Courses
PMCampus offers PMI approved Project Management Training. The leader in online PMP certification courses, CAPM & PDU exam prep. Best price & Pass Guarantee!
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COL (Join to see)
Thank you very much CMSgt Michael Corson . There is so much out on the web and it is hard to know who you can trust.
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This is the best I have seen. As mentioned, Syracuse University but specifically its IVMF VCTP program (JP Morgan funded) will also waive the $1,800 exam fee (only once), for qualifying veterans or within 18 months of separation for active duty. The agreement commits the applicant to 20 hours/week for six months. The acceptance process requires a pre-counseling screening and pathway to graduation MOU.
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LTC Michael W.
Ma'am,
This POI is via online delivery and considered a non-credit directed study certified by Syracuse University.
http://vets.syr.edu/employment/vctp-certification-paths/
Mike
This POI is via online delivery and considered a non-credit directed study certified by Syracuse University.
http://vets.syr.edu/employment/vctp-certification-paths/
Mike
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