Category: Project Management Professional (PMP)®

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The PMP Exam 2023

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In January 2021 the Project Management Institute (PMI) changed the Project Management Professional Exam.  As part of that change, it shifted away from changing the PMP exam every 4 to 5 years in favor of a continuous improvement model with more frequent exam content updates.  The benefit is to align project management trends and the work project managers perform today to the exam content to keep the certification relevant.

In 2023, the exam continues to align with the Examination Content Outline. In September, 2023 PMI/Pearson made a crucial change to the scoring timeline for certification exams. To enhance security measures, the evaluation process of exam results will now require additional time. Let’s take a closer look at this change and additional shifts of the PMP exam since 2021.

The Latest on the PMP Exam for 2023

  1. What’s New on the PMP for 2023?
  2. What Skills Does the PMP Cover?
  3. New PMP Exam Prep Materials for 2023
  4. PMP Exam Prep Training for 2023
  5. Keep Up on PMP Exam Updates

What’s New on the PMP for 2023?

There are several notable changes to cover.

  1. PMI/Pearson Exam Scoring will require additional time due to enhance security measures.  As a result, the release of post-exam pass/fail notice and detailed results analysis will be delayed by up to 5 days after completing the exam. You may receive a provisional notice of pass/fail upon completion of the exam.  The score in this provisional notice is still subject to review for verification and validation.  In this case the official final score report will typically be available within 48 hours, according to PMI/Pearson. This change reflects their commitment to maintaining the utmost integrity and accuracy throughout the certification process.
  2. The PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition will now be a reference to inform the development of the PMP exam topics. As such, we expect that students will be tested on content from the PMBOK® Guide 7.
  3. PMI’s Process Groups: A Practice Guide repurposes essential content from the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition, which was phased out in 2022. The Process Groups model is likely to become a resource for the PMP exam for predictive project management best practices and processes (e.g., process groups guidance, inputs, tools and techniques and outputs). Representing almost half of the exam, students preparing for the PMP will continue to need a strong knowledge of predictive methods.
  4. The way of doing project management is not process dependent. In fact, in many ways, it’s situational.  Depending on the project, the process that is applied can be tailored to accommodate each project. Today’s project manager must have a comprehensive understanding of agile and predictive project management. They need to know the processes of both and how and when they work best on a project-by-project basis.

In addition to understanding how the PMP is shifting, let’s review the project management skills covered on the exam.

What Skills Does the PMP Cover?

The PMP certification requires an understanding of the most important project leadership skills and practices across three domains as listed in the Examination Content Outline. You’ll be expected to apply this knowledge in the context of leading and managing predictive, agile and hybrid projects.

People Doman: The people domain represents 42% the questions on the PMP exam.  It covers leading projects teams and managing stakeholders with effective interpersonal skills including:

  • team building
  • removing roadblocks
  • conflict management

Process Domain: The process domain represents 50% of the PMP exam. You’ll be tested on the technical skills to integrate all facets of project planning and management to realize project benefits such as:

  • budgeting & scheduling
  • managing risk
  • project methods and practices

Business Improvement Domain: This domain represents 8% of exam questions.  You will need to understand the connection between the people and process within the business context. Domain topics include:

  • compliance
  • delivering value
  • organizational and business change

New PMP Exam Prep Materials for 2023

As the exam evolves, RMC is adapting our PMP prep materials to meet the needs of our students.

Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep Book – All New 11th Edition

This book is vastly different from our previous editions. It is structured so that you can easily relate it to the Examination Content Outline (ECO).

Rita’s PMP® Exam Prep book is the ultimate one-source prep guide to help you pass the PMP the first time. In this Course in a Book™, we bring together the terminology and concepts used in the ECO, the PMBOK® Guide, and the Process Groups: A Practice Guide. We synthesize the concepts in a way that makes it easier to understand and prepare students for the exam. No other prep guide brings this level of knowledge while explaining things simply and clearly.

Rita’s Process Chart™ remains in this edition along with a new process chart: Rita’s Agile Process Chart™. These process charts break down what happens in each of the process groups when working on predictive and agile projects. These powerful tools help students gain knowledge and prepare them to answer questions on the exam.

PMP Self-Study Materials Updated for 2023

We have applied this same rigorous approach to our self-study materials. Our PMP Exam simulator has an extensive database of over 2,220 questions.  We offer a realistic exam environment with unlimited 180-question exams to test your knowledge. Our popular Hot Topics flashcards for the PMP are also fully aligned to the ECO and accessible from your phone and other mobile devices.  We’ve combined these products in our popular PMP Exam Prep System. If you prefer an instructor-guided study experience, RMC’s all-new live online training course is worth considering.

PMP Exam Prep Training

The 11th Edition of RMC’s PMP Exam prep instructor-led course has been updated to reflect new and essential exam content from multiple sources.  In addition to original content, the class integrates diverse PMP resources.  The new course offers the latest prep tools and techniques including new case studies, exercises, and games, and access to both Rita’s Process Chart™ and the new Rita’s Agile Process Chart™. The class also includes exam simulation with a personalized assessment and a post-class study plan.

Our rich classroom experience is led by PMP-certified instructors focused on teaching practical techniques and test-taking strategies.  With proven training techniques, students gain the knowledge needed in a supportive learning environment to pass the exam on the first try.

Key aspects of our class remain the same. First, Rita’s learning method, which maximizes retention – not memorization. Second, we continue to present complex material in a straightforward approachable manner. Finally, our approach allows you to apply your learning to projects, long after exam.

Keep Up on PMP Exam Updates

It’s important to know how the PMP exam in evolving.

RMC is there to help keep you informed. That’s why we offer our free webinar,  Take the PMP Exam: What You Need to Know.  It’s intended to help stay up-to-date on the PMP exam and help you get your questions answered.

Sources:

https://rmcls.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pmp-examination-content-outline.pdf

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PMP® Exam Online Training Options

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Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Online Training and Preparation

Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam can be time consuming and stressful, especially when you’re already busy with work and day-to-day life.  It may be impossible to carve out several days from your schedule to study using a more structured PMP exam online training prep course. And honestly, you may simply prefer to learn at your own pace, as time permits. Unlike our live, virtual PMP certification training online courses, you won’t need to attend classes at specific times. Instead, you can study whenever you want, so you have ultimate control.

When you make the decision to take the PMP, Rita Mulcahy’s study materials have helped people successfully pass the exam for over 30 years. We have options that offer flexibility to study for the PMP exam without sacrificing rigor.  PMP online training options that allow for self-paced study from home may be an optimal way for you to learn and retain new information, under less pressure. That’s why we offer cloud-based subscriptions designed to teach you what it takes to pass PMI’s PMP exam on your first try.

So, what exactly is a cloud-subscription and what digital self-study options does RMC offer? Let’s take a closer look.

PMP Exam Online Cloud Subscriptions

If you’ve thought about enrolling in a PMP course, but you’d prefer to move through the material on your own, taking as much or as little time as you need, RMC’s cloud subscription products are a good option for you. Our PMP online training gives you secure web browser access to study using flexible time-based subscriptions.  Purchase only what you need for the time frame you plan to study.  You can choose from a 12-month or 6-month cloud subscriptions to fully prepare for the PMP exam. RMC’s cloud subscription gives you 24/7 access via desk top, lap top or tablet.

Rita’s PMP Exam Prep Online Cloud Subscription Book

The PMP Exam Prep online training using RMC’s Cloud Subscription gives you the online version of Rita Mulcahy’s™ PMP® Exam Prep book designed for passing the PMP exam. This unique Course in a Book is one of the only PMP prep books on the market.  The book ensures you will optimize study time to pass the PMP. The material has been fully updated, and you can study the same content that’s in the paperback version with the added convenience of an online format.  The book also includes:

  • Hundreds of sample questions, thought-provoking exercises and exclusive time-saving tips to help you pass the PMP exam on your first try.
  • Tricks of the Trade® for passing the exam that help you identify gaps in your knowledge, so you can focus on what you need to know in order to become certified.
  • Accelerated learning methods teach you valuable skills and practical techniques to help you learn more in less time.
  • Predictive project management, agile and hybrid agile content.

PMP Exam Prep Online Exam Simulator

Why be surprised when you take the actual PMP exam? Don’t be! Identify your gaps before the exam finds them for you. Exam simulation is a perfect PMP online training tool that allows you to test your knowledge and get comfortable answering realistic exam questions. Practice using randomized and full time-based exams.

A true simulator lets you experience as closely as possible what it’s like to take the real PMP exam.  RMC offers access to multiple, completely randomized 180-question timed-tests as on the exam.  You can also select study modes to take focused exams by Domain, Process Group, Knowledge Area or Keyword. If you haven’t experienced exam simulation, now is the time to give it a try using our free demo.  FASTrack simulator also includes:

  • Robust reports that help you focus study on weak areas.
  • Ability to you start study on one device and continue on another.
  • A test environment with the features and capabilities that replicate the PMP® test environment.
  • 2,200+ questions, unlimited 230-minute exams of 180 questions, and explanations for all questions.
  • Plus, questions are all cross-referenced with Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep digital book.

PMP Exam Prep Cloud Flashcards

Finally, there’s RMC’s Hot Topics flash cards. Flashcards are a tried and true study option that helps you study and recall the most important concepts and difficult terms on the PMP test. Our flashcards are arranged in a question and answer format by topic area with more than 15 cards per topic. Completely mobile, these flashcards supply over 360 questions and answers to test your knowledge and find your gaps.

PMP Exam Prep System

Another PMP Exam online training option is the PMP Exam Prep System.  The system combines the power of all three products: Rita Mulcahy’s time-tested and proven exam prep book, exam simulator and flashcards in a cloud subscription format.

Start by studying the book thoroughly.  Don’t worry, it’s written to be read like a standard learning text, not a reference manual.

Then, when you’re ready, take a baseline exam in the online exam simulator and focus your study from that point using the detailed exam results.  These results have brief explanations of why you may have answered particular questions incorrectly, plus they are cross-referenced with the online book pages so you can easily find detailed information.  Use the download sheet provided in the exam simulator as a guide to focus your book study on your weak areas and then reinforce the concepts with the Hot Topics flashcards.

After your focused study, take short topic-based or keyword-based tests in the simulator to verify your progress.  When ready, take another full 4-hour, 200 question exam and see how confident you are to sit for the real thing!

If you take this prep approach, you’ll find you have the additional confidence to successfully pass the PMP exam.

Have Questions? Contact Us to Learn More

RMC’s has been helping people prep for the PMP exam since 1991. We designed our online cloud subscriptions to give you the tools and knowledge you need to confidently take the PMP exam. Once you pass the test and get your certification, experience the benefits of the being a certified Project Management Professional! Feel free to contact us anytime for guidance and support.

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PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition & PMP® Exam Changes

Book cover for the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition

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The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released the PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition (Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.  How does this impact your PMP® exam  preparation?  Let’s cover what you can expect based on PMI’s recent announcement so you can plan accordingly.

Most importantly, the PMP® Exam WILL NOT CHANGE in January 2022 due to the release of PMBOK® Guide–Seventh Edition, according to PMI.  The PMP® exam will continue to be based on the current Exam Content Outline (ECO).

The PMP® exam undergoes changes as part of a of a continuous improvement process.  PMBOK Guide–Sixth Edition is still relevant to the current PMP exam. Elements from PMBOK Guide 7th Edition may be incorporated as part of PMI’s continuous improvement process in the future, but the primary basis for the exam remains the current ECO.

RMC’s current materials are modeled on the existing ECO and because of this RMC is not releasing a new edition of Rita’s Exam Prep book or RMC’s exam materials. We do continuously improve our prep materials and delivery on a regular basis.

PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Changes

  1. PMI’s PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition Updates
  2. PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition and RMC’s Exam Prep Materials
  3. How Does PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Impact the CAPM® Exam?
  4. PMP Exam and Agile Methods

PMI’s PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition Updates

PMI has provided several updates that tell us what to expect with the release of the PMBOK Guide 7th edition.

July 2021:

  • The PMP exam is based on the PMP® Certification Exam Content Outline (ECO), not the PMBOK® Guide or other reference books. The Exam Content Outline summarizes the research conducted to create the PMP® exam and includes the most critical tasks required for project managers to master their role.
  • The current Exam Content Outline (ECO), dated January 2021, was designed to stay relevant for the foreseeable future, and PMI will give advance notice to the public before a new ECO and corresponding exam are launched.
  • PMBOK Guide 7th Edition will now be a reference to inform the development of the exam items. However, before any validated exam item is added to the exam, there is a rigorous and thorough review and field test cycle.  This process takes several months.
  • Key learnings and concepts from the PMBOK Guide–Sixth Edition remain valued and are referenced in sections of the guide (presumably referring to the Seventh Edition).
  • The PMBOK Guide is one of numerous potential inputs into preparing for the exam – and is listed as a reference – but is not a test-preparation tool.
  • The PMP exam is created based on the Exam Content Outline and uses many sources for question development.
  • More details are available from the PMBOK Guide FAQs updated in July 2021.

PMBOK Guide 7th Edition and RMC’s Exam Prep Materials

With the release of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, PMI announced it would be used as a reference to “inform the development of exam items.” Unlike previous versions of the PMBOK Guide®, the Seventh Edition is not creating sweeping changes to the exam itself.

The earlier versions of the PMBOK Guide showed changes to best practices in the field of project management.  That is not the case with PMBOK Guide 7th, which focuses more on outcomes than practices.  Those earlier versions of the PMBOK Guide often involved changes in terminology and processes, requiring wholesale changes to the exam and exam preparation materials. This is no longer the case.

Now, PMI says it will be changing the exam gradually over time.  This makes sense.  The old way PMI made changes gave the impression that knowledge gained under the prior editions of the PMBOK Guide was no longer relevant, requiring complete changes in the way project management is done.  The incremental approach is more consistent with the way project management practices change over time.

RMC’s current materials are modeled on the existing ECO and are therefore relevant to the PMP® exam as it is structured today.

How Does PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Impact the CAPM?

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® exam will change in January 2023 although PMI has only released limited information about it. We continue to keep in touch with PMI and other sources and will update this post as new information about the CAPM® exam becomes available. According to PMI, the CAPM® will follow the PMBOK® Guide―Sixth Edition, specifically:

  • The current CAPM® exam will continue to be based on the Sixth Edition as dictated by the Exam Content Outline for the CAPM examination.
  • The Sixth Edition is a test preparation tool that candidates may leverage to prepare for the CAPM exam. (PMBOK Guide FAQs, Updated March 2021)
  • The current CAPM® exam is based on the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition. Continue using RMC’s CAPM® materials for your test preparation.
  • Further information is outlined in the PMBOK Guide FAQs, Updated July 2021.

PMP and Agile Methods

Please be aware that our exam prep materials assume a basic familiarity with agile and predictive project management. But, RMC has many ways for students to build a foundation in agile methods as part of their exam prep.

RMC offers several Agile Fundamentals tools if you want to learn the basics of agile as part of your test preparation process.  If you are looking for a class, consider our Agile Fundamentals Instructor-Led Virtual course.  You can also purchase Rita’s PMP® Exam Prep book or system with the Agile Fundamentals book.

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RMC is Here to Help You Prepare

The PMP® Exam Prep, Tenth Edition is still the premier exam preparation book in the industry.  This is borne-out by pass rates and feedback we receive from our students.  PM FASTrack® is still the best exam simulator in the industry.  It is continuously updated with new questions, including questions relating to concepts contained in PMBOK® Guide―Seventh Edition and questions in PMI’s new question formats.

RMC’s PMP® Exam Prep System combines the power of our book, exam simulator and flashcards. Our PMP® Exam Prep, Tenth Edition audiobook provides an alternative to the printed book to improve the convenience of your exam preparation experience. RMC’s PMP® exam prep virtual instructor-led classes and eLearning course still represent some of the best ways to prepare for and pass the PMP® exam.

Contact us today if you have further questions about the PMP® exam or to explore which exam prep option is best for you.

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Why Take the PMP Exam?

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The PMP Exam – Why Take It?

Why take the PMP exam? This is a common question many people ask as they weigh the pros and cons of the PMP® exam. What is the purpose, what will it do for you, and is it worth it? There’s no doubt that preparing to take the PMP® exam is a journey. And, if you let it, this journey can help you enhance your project management capabilities. 

As you prepare for this exam, you will improve your project management skills. The opportunity to expand your knowledge is one of the best reasons to get your PMP® certification.

Understanding is the Key to Passing the PMP Exam

The PMP® exam is an international exam designed to prove your knowledge and experience in applying the art and science of project management. It focuses on situations you might encounter in the real world, rather than just asking you to repeat data you have learned.

Therefore, to pass the PMP® exam, you cannot simply cram a lot of information into your brain and try to retain it just long enough to get through the four-hour testing period. Instead, you’ll take your knowledge to the next level. You’ll better understand the process of project management, and the value that process can bring to your daily work on projects.

Learn without Rote Memorization

RMC’s PMP® training classes and products bring you unique games, activities, exercises, and techniques designed specifically to increase both learning and knowledge retention. 

This approach not only gives you the knowledge you need to quickly prepare for the exam, but also the knowledge to become a better project manager—without rote memorization. 

Where’s the proof? RMC has heard from students who received a bonus, a raise, or both after they passed the exam. Other students have reported that they were offered a job when hundreds of other qualified candidates had applied, simply because they were PMP® certified!

Get PMP® Certification to Set Yourself Apart

In addition to the opportunity to improve yourself and your abilities, there can be financial incentives for passing this exam. A 2015 salary survey conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that PMP® certified project managers across all countries are paid, on average, 20% more than those without this certification.

The bottom line is this: having a PMP® certification can be the reason you get a job, keep your job, or are promoted. And, with RMC’s support,  you can get started today.

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5 Strategies to Manage Project Communication  

Small team sitting in a conference room managing project communications.

How you manage project communication is one of, if not the most important aspects of project management. Poor communication has been cited as the biggest problem impacting projects. A great deal of a project manager’s time is spent communicating with management, the team, the customer, and other stakeholders. Proper project management requires a process to define, plan, manage, and control communication which makes it a top skill needed by everyone on projects. 

The project manager is key in establishing and maintaining an environment that allows the project team to communicate, according the PMBOK Guide, Seventh Edition,   Project managers set the tone for success by modeling behaviors such as transparency, respect, and positive disclosure and following a process to manage communications on their projects.  Following are 5 strategies you can use today to manage your project communications. management 

Strategies to Manage Project Communication

  1. Identify & Analyze Stakeholders  
  2. Plan Project Communications  
  3. Send & Receive Information to Manage Project Communication 
  4. Manage Stakeholder Engagement 
  5. Monitor & Control Communication 

Strategy 1: Identify and Analyze Stakeholders  

Start by identifying the people and organizations involved in or impacted by the project or the product being developed.  These individuals or entities can positively or negatively impact outcomes over the course of the project. This step is important to help manage project communication. You can read more about stakeholder identification here.  

Project managers must also understand all their stakeholders’ requirements and expectations their level of influence, extent, and length of their involvement, as well communication needs and preferences.  

Managing stakeholder expectations — the belief or mental image of the future — can differ by stakeholder.  That’s why project managers need to talk through all expectations, to make sure that everyone shares the same desired outcomes. This sets the stage for communication planning.  

Strategy 2: Plan Project Communications  

Armed with the information from our stakeholders, it’s time to start planning project communications. Planning is about considering the project’s overall communications approach. It begins by defining what actions deliver the desired outcomes such as: 

  • The right information gets to the appropriate stakeholder, is clear and understandable, and arrives in the appropriate format at the right time. 
  • Communications are measured and analyzed on a regular basis and changed as needed. 
  • Stakeholders understand what communication is expected of them and the communication they receive meets their needs on the project.

There are several benefits to having a communication plan in place including improved stakeholder engagement and a decrease in communication problems, conflict, and rework.  

As a result of planning communications, the project manager should have a document description of the communication needs of the stakeholders and a strategy to meet them. Plan components may include: 

  • What needs to be communicated, why and between whom?
  • What is the preferred method of communication?
  • Who is going to provide what information, the level of frequency and detail?
  • Who has access to what communications, who can impart information, and who can edit?
  • How to tailor communication based upon language and culture?

Once the plan is in place, we can determine how to send and receive information.  

Strategy 3: Send & Receive Information to Manage Project Communication 

The most basic communications only ensure the message has been delivered.  Excellent project communications require a more comprehensive approach that includes the sender, the receiver, and confirmation that the message is correctly understood.  Both the sender and the receiver are responsible for ensuring the message has been properly interpreted and understood.  

Reports, information radiators, and individual communications are the artifacts of project communications.  While these artifacts are updated on a regular basis, it is important to look at how each of these documents are part of and are influencing the project communication plan.  In addition to communication plan updates on project status, issues and issue resolutions, here are some other communication plan artifacts: 

  • Issue status or log
  • Project reports and presentations
  • Updated project records
  • Lessons learned documentation
  • Project document updates
  • Risk and stakeholder registers 

Strategy 4: Manage Stakeholder Engagement 

At this point, stakeholders have been identified and analyzed. You have planned and are using key artifacts that help you communicate with your stakeholders at the right time with the right information. Another strategy to manage project communications has to do with stakeholder engagement.  

The key is to establish and maintain a common understanding of the project, its objectives, constraints and how they all interact to deliver the desired value throughout the project. Each stakeholder’s needs have been planned so when changes are needed, the project manager is able to adjust and maintain high levels of engagement with each stakeholder.  

Strategy 5: Monitor & Control Communication 

While the project manager is effectively communicating on the project, they are at the same time monitoring communication to ensure information is getting to where it is needed, is clear and allows stakeholders to act as necessary. The key to monitoring and controlling our communication is to make sure that that the information being communicated is being understood, and that it’s being understood in the intended way. 

When monitoring and controlling communications, there are several ways to identify and measure compliance to the communication plan.  For example, you can review the data of the project’s status, known as work performance information. Work performance data includes: 

  • Performance
  • Metrics captured in various control processes
  • Changes, risks, and issues
  • Forecasts

Reviewing this information allows you to validate that the team is being productive and achieving the project goals.  Work performance information can be organized into project management plan updates or project document updates, each of which allow you to identify and communicate information that stakeholders need.   

Learn More About How to Manage Project Communication 

If you’re interested in learning how to manage project communications, check out RMC’s eLearning course, Project Communications and Stakeholder Engagement shows you how to manage project communications and engage your stakeholders. You may also be interested in our Leading with Emotional Intelligence and Organizational Awareness eLearning course to elevate your leadership skills.  

Sources: 

https://rmcls.com/communications-management-plan-in-project-management/

https://www.teamgantt.com/blog/why-communication-is-important-in-project-management [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

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Project Leadership and the PMP

Young members working together at a white board on a project

Previously I wrote a post about Project Leadership where I discussed the distinction between power and authority. The major take away from the post is that it’s better for a project manager to exercise leadership by obtaining “buy-in” from team members and stake holders and use a coaching leadership style when working with project team members.

Leadership had become an important part of the PMP.  It is a component of Domain I (People) of the Exam Content Outline and there are a fair number of questions on the exam relating to leadership.  We cover project leadership in Chapter 5 of our PMP Exam Prep book Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep.

Project Leadership

  1. Project Leadership According to PMI
  2. Project Leadership Versus Management
  3. Servant Leadership
  4. Project Leadership and Communication
  5. Emotional Intelligence and Project Leadership

Project Leadership According to PMI

The Project Management Institute (PMI) takes a more comprehensive approach to leadership.  It is identified as part of Domain 1 or the Exam Content Outline (ECO) for the PMP, and is part of a suite of “people skills” that PMI tests people on as part of the exam.

Leadership is handled as a single chapter of the PMP Exam Prep book (11th ed.).  In preparing for the exam, it is best to look at leadership as an umbrella covering all of the people skills necessary to be an effective project manager.  This is the approach taken by PMI on the exam.

Project Leadership Versus Management

In preparing for the exam, the student needs to understand the distinction between leadership and management.  As noted in the book: “Leadership involves a sophisticated approach to working with people.  We don’t manage people; we get work done through others.”

In some ways this distinction is similar to the one between power and authority described by Richard Neustadt in his book “Presidential Power.”  However, there are important differences, the obvious one is that in the context of the PMP the distinction between leadership and management is entirely business focused.

Like the power versus authority distinction, the management versus leadership distinction looks at formal versus information methods to get team members to perform necessary functions.  Whereas management focuses on things like tasks, control and efficiency, leadership focuses on things like people, empowerment and communication.

Servant Leadership

This style of project leadership is normally associated with agile project management.  In many ways, it is traditional command and control leadership flipped on its head.  Here the project manager is a servant leader.  They ensure that team members can effectively do the work needed to deliver business value.  The focus is to maximize team productivity by removing impediments.

The servant leader makes sure the team stays on track, removes impediments and continually communicates with team members.  If the team needs to increase its budget, the servant leader’s job is to get it.  If they need more people, training or physical resources, the servant leader makes sure they have those.

Project Leadership and Communication

Effective communication is an important project leadership skill. The People Domain and the exam cover many aspects of communication.  PMI covers many aspects of project communication on the exam.  The following are some, but not all of those aspects.

There are basically four types of communication:  Formal written, formal verbal, informal written and informal verbal.  These types of communication have different information densities and are appropriate in different situations.  For example, formal written could be a report to the project sponsor or a project plan while informal verbal could be an unscheduled meeting or casual discussion.  The appropriateness of a particular type of communication will vary depending on the situation.

There are also different methods of communications such as push, interactive or pull.  Interactive is reciprocal between two parties, an exchange of information in real time.  Push is where one party conveys information to another while pull occurs where one party elicits information from another party.

In addition to the types of communication discussed above, the exam extensively covers various modes of communication and tests a student’s knowledge of them on the exam.  These are covered in the leadership chapter of the book.

Emotional Intelligence and Project Leadership

Every human being needs some level of emotional intelligence, often referred to as EQ.  People with low levels of EQ often do not function well in jobs where they have to work with other people.  Unlike IQ, EQ can be taught.

EQ is about reading people, seeing changes in their expressions, how they communicate and being able to guage their feelings.  Part of EQ is the ability to “read the room.” Other times it’s knowing when to keep your mouth shut and actually listen to people when they talk. As you can see EQ has a lot in common with communication.  It’s about active listening, reading non-verbal communications and understanding the real reason behind someone’s behavior.

For the exam, EQ is considered part of the “People Domain” and an important aspect of leadership.

Project Leadership and RMC Exam Prep

Leadership is part of the exam. From PMI’s standpoint, there is a lot to it.  It’s not just directive.

If you are considering the taking the PMP, RMC has you covered. From our PMP Exam Prep book to our PMP Exam Prep Live Instructor led classes and our on demand PMP Exam Prep eLearning course, RMC covers the aspects of leadership you will need to know to pass the exam.

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How to Study for the PMP Exam: Best Study Tips to Help You Prepare

Woman at her desk preparing to study for the PMP exam.

Are you thinking about taking the PMP exam? Then it’s time to consider how you’ll prepare to pass the exam. The exam can be challenging.  The test lasts about 4 hours and consists of 180 situational style questions. To view some sample questions, see our PMP exam simulation free demo. It’s essential to understand – not memorize – the exam concepts to pass the PMP.

Here we share insights and tips informed by over 30 years of preparing students to pass the PMP on their first try!

How to Study for PMP Exam in 2023

  1. Use the Right PMP Exam Prep Resources
  2. Understand the PMP Exam Content Outline
  3. Know Your Study Style
  4. Determine How Much Time You Have to Prepare
  5. Choose your PMP Exam Prep Materials
  6. Use a PMP Exam Simulator
  7. Focus on Your Knowledge Gaps
  8. Test Again

Tip 1: Use the Right PMP Exam Prep Resources

When considering professional prep resources, look at how long the company has been providing PMP training. Longevity shows a commitment to the growth of the profession and the development of project managers.  RMC has shown this commitment since Rita Mulcahy published the PMP exam prep book in 1998.

Ask other certified project managers what they used to study.  As a professional training company RMC leverages its project management knowledge to develop quality materials that are aligned to the most current topics on the test. As a quality PMP training company, RMC has a proven prep method and a variety of teaching tools that fit your learning preferences.

Beware of free materials available on the internet that claim to help you study; you need to make sure these materials are based on the most current version of PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline (PMP-ECO). These providers may have good intentions, but they probably do not have the project management training expertise or up to date with the current exam information.

Tip 2: Understand the PMP Exam Content Outline

The PMP certification is based on the PMP-ECO.  It covers the content you will need to know for the PMP exam.  It is more important than ever to read and understand the ECO because it covers the domains and introduces adaptive approaches to project management and the PMP exam.

There are many resources that you can use to learn about the topics covered on the PMP exam. The current PMP exam includes content from the PMBOK® Guide 7th edition, Process Groups: A Practice Guide, Agile Practice Guide and more. These resources can aid your exam preparation. However, you shouldn’t have to read these resources cover to cover if your training company has done it for you. RMC’s materials bring together the terminology and concepts from these key resources. We synthesize the information in a way that makes it easier to understand and prepare for the exam.

Tip 3: Know Your Study Style

Begin by asking yourself if you prefer to study on your own or with others?  Do you like to create your own study plan and schedule, or would you prefer a guided approach? Do you learn best reading written materials, listening, and engaging in discussion, or working hands-on using case studies and exercises? Answering these questions will inform your PMP exam study timeline and influence how you choose to prepare.

Tip 4. Determine How Much Time You Have to Prepare

How long you have to study will depend on when you can schedule the PMP exam. If you only have a short period of time, consider an instructor-led class or an on demand, self-paced course.  Both options teach you everything you need to pass the exam. They usually include an exam simulation and other tools to enhance your learning.

Instructor-led courses are typically taught over consecutive days and students are expected to study up to 40 hours after class.  RMC’s Instructor-led classes offers a pass guarantee.   A self-paced eLearning course allows you to study at your own pace.

If you have several months to get ready, an on-demand PMP course or self-study materials are great options.  If you don’t have that much time to get ready, an instructor led course might be a better solution for you.

Tip 5: Choose your PMP Exam Prep Materials

An in-person class or eLearning course, usually includes an exam prep book with purchase. RMC recommends when you read the prep book for the first time you complete all the exercises in each chapter.

After you have read through your PMP exam prep book once or completed your prep course, you consider joining a study group. Working in a small group of no more than 3 to 4 individuals will shorten your study time and make studying more effective. You can find a study group through your local PMI chapter. Facebook and LinkedIn also have ways to connect with study groups.

Finally, consider supplementing your study options with practice tests and flashcards.  We go into further detail later, but as you think about your plan, know that both are invaluable tools that allow you to interact with the exam material in different ways.

Tip 6: Use a PMP Exam Simulator

When you are comfortable with the test material, it’s time to take a full exam simulation using an exam software, like PM FASTrack® Cloud.  Simulated exams allow you to get comfortable with the question types and exam timing.

We recommend using a PMP exam simulator with a large database of questions to experience a variety of question types. This step will provide you with a baseline against which you can track your progress.  You’ll quickly discover what you know and where you need to study more.

Review each question you got wrong in the exam simulation. Write down the specific reason for each wrong answer, creating a list. Assess why the correct choice is correct and why the other answers are wrong. Again, look for trends in your understanding and add problem areas to the list. Refer to the chapters in your prep book to fill in your knowledge gaps and correct any errors.  This is an excellent time to take targeted exam simulations by specific topics to fill your gaps.

Skim the sections or chapters on which you did well to keep those fresh in your mind. If you are using flashcards, remove the concepts you understand so you are singularly focused on your knowledge gaps. RMC’s PMP exam prep flashcards include this filtering option.

Tip 7: Focus on Your Knowledge Gaps

A good PMP exam simulator will analyze your performance and help you identify where you need to concentrate your studies.

As part of your process, build in time to work on your knowledge gaps.

Tip 8: Test Again

Limit yourself to no more than two full PMP exam simulations before you take the actual exam. Don’t fall into the trap of memorizing versus understanding the answers.

If you don’t score over 70 percent the first time you take a full exam simulation, you need to identify your knowledge gaps and study those before taking another simulated exam.   Once you score over 75 percent, you should be ready to take the real exam.  Continue to use your list, flashcards, and other helpful materials to retain what you have learned leading up to the test.

Use These Study Tips to Help You Prepare

It all really boils down to time, resources, support, and practice. Set aside the time required to tackle the topics covered on the PMP exam and use the highest quality resources, such as RMC Exam Prep products.

Lastly, here are some things to consider about meeting the PMP requirements and details about the exam itself. If you have additional questions about the exam, consider attending one of RMC’s free webinars called Taking the PMP Exam: What you need to know.

Good luck!

Sources:

https://www.ais-cpa.com/how-to-increase-pmp-exam-score-and-pass-pmp-exam/

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PMP Exam Tool: Master Rita Mulcahy’s Process Chart

Image of Rita Mulcahy's Process Chart game

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If you are preparing for the Project Management Professional exam, having a proven PMP Exam tool to support the learning process is key.  One such tool is Rita Mulcahy’s Process Chart game. Rita’s game is an important tool to learn the project management process in more detail, quickly and effectively.  It helps you understand what should be done when.

PMP Exam – Rita Mulcahy’s Process Chart Game

  1. An Introduction to Rita’s Process Chart
  2. The Process Domain and the PMP Exam
  3. What You Need to Understand to Pass the PMP
  4. Study for the PMP® Using Rita’s Process Chart Game
  5. Prepare for the PMP

An Introduction to Rita Mulcahy’s Process Chart

When students discover Rita’s process chart game, they often ask, “Which parts should I memorize?” It’s a simple question, right? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t so straightforward. It’s more than just memorizing―it’s realizing that to pass the exam, you need to thoroughly understand each process.

Let’s start with some basics. Understanding the overall process of project management is integral to learning the terms and concepts for the exam.

PMI® has defined five process groups in Project Management. Rita’s Process Chart is our interpretation of those groups and the associated actions that result in unique outputs attributed to each process.

Rita’s process chart game is not intended to map to other management resources. Its function is to state the efforts involved in management a project.   The game helps you learn the five process groups of Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing.

The Process Domain and the PMP Exam

Prior to January 2020, the PMP exam was generally focused on planned project management.  Planned project management revolves around five process groups and nine knowledge areas.  This is still the case; however, after January 2020, the PMP exam dramatically changed.

Now the exam is organized around three Domains. These are People, Process and Business Environment.  Planned project management is part of the Process Domain along with agile and hybrid project management methodologies.  Process represents 50% of the exam content.

Planned project management remains an important part of the Process Domain.  For this reason, you still need to understand planned aspects of project management to pass the exam and why Rita’s Process Chart Game is an important tool for passing.

What You Need to Understand to Pass the PMP

The PMP exam may ask questions that present a situation which requires you to which process group the project is in.  Rita’s process chart game lays out what specific actions are in each process group and why these actions occur.  There is no specific order for the activities in most of the process groups.  The exception is the planning process group which has a set order of actions.

Rita’s Process Chart game will solidify your understanding of the overall project management process and help you identify and focus on gaps in your knowledge.

Study for the PMP® Using Rita Mulcahy’s Process Chart Game

A typical exam question will only give you some of the information. For example: “You’ve just gained acceptance of interim deliverables from the customer.” Because you’ve done some memorization, you’ll know this action occurs in the Monitor and Control process group.

Now you know where you are within the process but that’s only half the battle. The question then asks, “What should happen next?” The exam is testing your knowledge of the process and outputs associated with the action. In this example, the process is Validate Scope, and the outputs are: work performance information, accepted deliverables, change requests, and project documents updates.

If you understand the actions associated within a process, and what process groups they primarily align with, then you can use logic to quickly analyze and select the best answer.

If you know where you are in the process and understand why processes, actions, and outputs occur you’ll be better prepared to pass the exam.

Prepare for PMP Exam

The process groups are key to planned-driven project management. Rita understood this which is why she created the process chart game to help break down each element to help you more quickly learn the process groups and actions.

The tool is a complement to our PMP Exam Prep study materials and resources.  RMC offers a full suite of exam prep materials including Rita’s #1 selling PMP Exam prep book, PMP exam simulation and our PMP Exam Prep system which includes our PMP book, exam simulation and flashcards.  If you are looking for a guided learning experience, we offer live virtual PMP prep classes taught by an instructor or our PMP eLearning course. Whatever stage you are in your studies, RMC has you covered.

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Project Management Professional (PMP) Salary & Highest Paying Jobs

Professional at his computer reading about PMP Salary and Jobs

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Project managers have dynamic jobs that allow them to use a variety of skills every day while working with teams of talented individuals. And they have the potential of earning a high salary while doing what they love.

How much does a project manager typically make, what factors can affect their salary, and how much does PMP add to their salary? Continue reading about the PMP salary benefits and get answers to all these questions.

PMP Salary and Highest Paying Jobs

  1. Average Project Manager Salary
  2. How a PMP Certification Affects Your Salary
  3. Does Being a PMP Increase Your Salary?
  4. What Types of Project Managers Make the Most Money?

Average Project Manager Salary

There are several factors that will determine how much money you can make as a project manager. Those include your job’s location and industry, the size of the company that hires you, and your experience, education, and certifications.

To give you an idea of average project manager salaries, we’ve broken down the information for you below:

  • An experienced and highly qualified project manager might earn anywhere from $92,000 to $151,000 annually, on average. Earnings are higher for those who are experienced, and an entry-level salary might be roughly $55,000.
  • A program manager might earn an average of around $92,000 to $158,000 annually.
  • A portfolio manager might make roughly $91,000 to $170,000 per year, on average.

Keep in mind that, for all these positions, receiving a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a strategic way to increase your earnings. There are other benefits to getting your PMP certification as well. 

How a PMP Certification Affects Your Salary

Becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP) is a popular route that many project managers take when they want to advance their career.

But is becoming a PMP worth it? For all the time and effort you need to put into preparing for the PMP certification exam, it should be worthwhile, so is it?

For many professionals who want to become qualified for more job openings and a higher salary, the simple answer is a resounding yes!

Does Being a PMP Increase Your Salary?

The median salary for a certified PMP is 32% higher in the United States –  so it’s a smart way to boost your earnings. To illustrate what we mean: while a project manager with PMP certification’s salary might be around $132,000, whereas without this distinction, you might only earn approximately $100,000.

The longer you work as a PMP, the more you’ll be able to earn. For example, if you received your certification only a few years ago, you might only make a little over $100,000, on average. But if you became certified more than a decade ago, you might make upwards of $130,000 annually, on average.

Side note: Is becoming a certified PMP better than getting your master’s in project management? Well, the median income of someone with this degree is around $120,000, so you might be able to earn even more if you become a PMP. Just keep in mind that various other factors will determine your salary as well.

What Types of Project Managers Make the Most Money?

In addition to becoming a PMP, it’s important to keep in mind other ways to increase your earning potential, such as:

Experience: As mentioned above, the more experience you can acquire, the better, because employers will be inclined to pay you more. While someone who has less than three years of experience in this field might make around $83,000 per year, a project manager with a couple decades of experience might be able to make around $135,000 per year, on average.

Industry: It’s also wise to carefully consider the industry you pursue, as this can greatly impact your salary. Some of the industries that pay the highest PMP salary include:

  • Resources – Roughly $135,000, on average
  • Consulting – Roughly $134,000, on average
  • Pharmaceuticals – Roughly $133,000, on average
  • Aerospace – Roughly $122,000 to $130,000, on average
  • IT – Roughly $117,000, on average
  • Healthcare – Roughly $111,000, on average

Budget and Team Size: Another way to boost your earning potential is by becoming skillful enough to manage a bigger budget and lead larger teams. Someone who can manage teams of 10 or more people might make over $120,000, on average. Compare that to someone who only leads a few people and who earns, on average, roughly $107,000.

RMC Can Help You Become a PMP

If you’ve thought about the perks that come with being a Project Management Professional and you’re ready to take the next step in your career, RMC is here to help you reach your goals. Explore RMC’s proven PMP exam prep materials and classes to help you successful study for the PMP.

Sources:

https://blog.capterra.com/top-5-highest-paying-pmp-jobs/

https://medium.com/the-digital-project-manager/how-much-do-project-managers-make-2020-project-manager-salary-guide

https://wwwpayscale.com/research/US/Certification=Project_Management_Professional_(PMP)/Salary

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/pmp-certification-salary

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Project Scope and Business Environment Impact

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The project’s business environment can be the most important factor affecting project scope. This impact is agnostic to your project’s development approach (plan driven, agile, hybrid). Each development approach has ways to respond to these changes. It is the project manager’s responsibility along with team leaders, team members, sponsors, and other stakeholders to identify business environment changes early, prepare adequately and adjust to them.

Business Environment Influence on Scope

  1. Business Environment Influence on Scope
  2. What Causes Business Environment Change?
  3. Project Manager Business Environment Changes
  4. Ways to Engage Stakeholders
  5. Tips to Understand the Business Environment Impact

What Causes Business Environment Changes?

As a project leader, it is important to understand the organization’s strategic and operational objectives as well as the specific objectives of the project. It is equally important to understand the external business environment that can impact and introduce change to the project.

Common causes of internal and external business environment change include:

  • Competition / market
  • Regulatory / compliance
  • Technology
  • Politics

A project leader must continuously observe and respond to the business environment. Start by asking good questions. In addition, you must anticipate environmentally caused risks throughout your project.  The following are some strategies for anticipating environmentally caused changes.

Project Manager Business Environment Considerations

There are several actions you can take to sharpen your business environment acumen and prepare for project scope impacts:

Inform Yourself: Expand your organizational knowledge and awareness. Consider the strategic objectives. Who are the key decision makers? What happens if the project fails? What is happening in the industry? Find new influences (e.g. How static is the regulatory or compliance environment?, Will technology change?, Is the competitive landscape changing?). Understand and make connections.

Watch for Changes: Be observant as to what is happening in the marketplace as well as internally in your organization. Look for the ripple effects that can impact your project scope. What is learned?  What is new?

Analyze the Organization: Determine if your organization has the maturity and structures to support environmental changes that may occur during or from the project, how the project can adjust to them and how it can prepare the organization for the change.

Create Processes and Procedures: Look for opportunities to get additional help and support. For example, having a way to identify and escalate a business environment change to appropriate stakeholders is beneficial to dealing with the situation efficiently. By having a clear process it makes it easier for all project stakeholders to escalate concerns.

Monitor the Environment: By monitoring the known environmental factors and our current state we can see trends developing or identify changes to the project environment early to proactively respond during project work.

Identify Obstacles: Explore obstacles as they happen and facilitate ways to help the project more forward.

Continuous Improvement: What are you learning along the way that could help to do better or more efficient work?

Ways to Engage Stakeholders

Ask your stakeholders for assistance in identifying internal and external business environment factors that need to be considered. You’ll want to hear what they think might be influencing the business environment. Ask for their help in evaluating any risks to the project. Encourage stakeholders to help you develop ideas, create processes and evaluation measures to keep the project on track.

Engaging stakeholders is also about sharing relevant project information. For example, you will want to communicate the cost of failing to anticipate business environment changes and impacts to your project. Provide updates on the successes and managing the project within the broader organizational environment. Give your project leadership the right information. Share your reasons for doing this and demonstrate through actions how it’s relevant, appropriate, and important.

Tips to Understand the Business Environment Impact

Here are three tips you can use to evaluate, prepare, and address business environment of your project and be prepared to manage its potential impact on scope.

  1. Clarify the Current State

Clearly define the current state of your business environment. Consider the following to document your understanding:

  • Engage with stakeholders
  • Identify external business environment influencers
  • Don’t forget internal influencers and attitudes
  • Group influencers using an affinity diagram
  • Analyze for missing groups
  • Analyze the impact
  • Prioritize for focus
  1. Create a Register for Business Environment Influencers

Use a register as a repository of the influencers and the relevant data. It should include the name and description of current concerns and include other information. Here is a more detailed list:

  • Name of influencers and a description
  • Category
  • Type (internal / external)
  • Action required
  • Risks
  • Timing
  • Measures
  • Owner
  • Level of influence on project
  1. Perform Check Ups – Did You Get It Right?

As the project work is being done, schedule a periodic re-evaluation of the current state. In this evaluation, review:

  • What is new?
  • What has changed?
  • Could the efforts produce unintended positive or negative results?
  • What should be adjusted?
  • What must be avoided?

RMC’s Got the Support You Need

If you are planning to take the PMP exam, you will need to know about the business environment and the broader impacts that environment has on your projects.  Rita Mulcahy’s Exam Prep materials can help you prepare for this and other exam topics.  We offer PMP Exam Prep instructor-led courses and PMP Exam Prep eLearning. Prep on your own time with Rita’s Exam Prep book, PM FASTrack Exam simulator or our complete PMP Exam Prep System.

If you already have your PMP certification, earn 1 FREE PDU when you listen to our webinar Bursting the Scope Bubble: Business Environment and Its Influence on Your Project.

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