Category: Project Management

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Handling Unrealistic Project Schedules

Close up of team working on unrealistic schedule

Unrealistic project schedules are one of the most persistent and stressful challenges in the world of project management. Whether you’re fresh to the field or have decades of experience, you’re likely to encounter timelines that seem to ignore reality. Deadlines might be imposed from above, shaped by ambition, optimism, or commercial pressure—and it’s your job to navigate them.

But how you approach these situations should evolve with your experience. Here, we break down strategies for handling unrealistic project schedules across three levels of project management experience: Junior, Mid-Level, and Senior.

For Junior Project Managers: Learning to Spot and Communicate Gaps

1. Understand Before You Commit
As a junior PM, it can be tempting to agree to timelines before fully understanding the scope. Instead:

  • Ask clarifying questions about deliverables, dependencies, and resource availability.
  • Request to review the work breakdown structure or, if it doesn’t exist, create a basic one.
  • Familiarize yourself with estimation techniques (e.g., bottom-up, analogous).

2. Know the Red Flags
Some warning signs of unrealistic timelines include:

  • Vague or shifting requirements
  • No buffer time for testing or changes
  • One-size-fits-all durations for tasks regardless of complexity
  • Assumptions of 100% resource availability

3. Use Data, Not Just Opinions
If something feels off, use historical data, past project examples, or even time-tracking records to highlight feasibility concerns. Facts lend weight to your feedback.

4. Speak Up with Tact
Learn to express concerns respectfully and constructively. For example:

“Based on what I’m seeing, it looks like we may need more time for testing. Would it be possible to revisit the timeline for that phase?”

This shows ownership and initiative without challenging senior voices aggressively.

5. Seek Support
Find a mentor, supervisor, or experienced peer who can help you validate your concerns and frame them appropriately to leadership.

For Mid-Level Project Managers: Influencing Up and Managing Across

1. Conduct a Schedule Risk Assessment
At this level, you’re expected to anticipate and mitigate risk. Assess:

  • The confidence level of each estimate
  • Known and unknown risks
  • Potential change impacts

Use tools like Monte Carlo simulations, if available, or simple contingency buffers.

2. Push Back Professionally
You’re now in a position to negotiate with stakeholders. Use your track record to:

  • Offer scenario-based timelines (e.g., optimistic vs. realistic)
  • Share trade-offs (“If we must hit this date, here’s what we can deliver”)
  • Propose phased delivery or MVP approaches

3. Leverage Your Network
Use your internal relationships with developers, testers, marketing, etc., to validate task durations and identify constraints early. This creates a more defensible schedule.

4. Manage Expectations Continuously
Don’t wait for milestones to raise alarms. Set regular check-ins and provide honest, evidence-based updates to stakeholders. Use burndown charts, dashboards, or velocity metrics to show progress and risk.

5. Document and Debrief
Make time to document project learnings and schedule-related issues. When unrealistic timelines cause problems, use retrospectives to record why—and suggest process changes for next time.

For Senior Project Managers: Driving Change and Setting the Tone

1. Advocate for a Realistic Planning Culture
Senior PMs have the influence to shape how project planning happens. Promote:

  • Integrated planning involving all disciplines
  • Bottom-up estimation with validation
  • Stage-gated approvals to avoid premature commitments

2. Use Portfolio-Level Leverage
Senior PMs often have a view across multiple projects. Use this vantage point to:

  • Flag resource conflicts or systemic schedule compression
  • Align delivery with business readiness, not just calendar deadlines

3. Educate Stakeholders on Trade-Offs
You have the gravitas to facilitate tough conversations:

“To meet this deadline, we’ll need to reduce scope or increase resources. Here are your options and risks.”

This empowers decision-makers with transparency, rather than accepting arbitrary dates.

4. Escalate Constructively When Needed
Sometimes pressure from above will persist. Your role is to escalate concerns clearly, with supporting data and proposed alternatives—not just complaints. Position yourself as a problem-solver.

5. Be a Role Model for Realism
Avoid promising what can’t be delivered. Lead by example and encourage your team to raise concerns early. Protecting morale and credibility is part of the senior PM’s job.

Final Thoughts: Building a Culture That Respects Reality

Unrealistic project schedules rarely stem from malice—they’re more often born from optimism, urgency, or a lack of information. But the impact is real: missed deadlines, burned-out teams, and stakeholder frustration.

No matter your level, your job isn’t just to manage a plan—it’s to manage how plans are made, communicated, and adjusted.

Key Takeaways:

  • Junior PMs should focus on spotting gaps, asking questions, and respectfully voicing concerns.
  • Mid-Level PMs must manage risk, negotiate scope, and use data to influence upward.
  • Senior PMs are responsible for setting a realistic planning culture and guiding strategic conversations.

The earlier you address unrealistic timelines, the more options you have. Project success doesn’t just come from hard work—it comes from working smart, setting clear expectations, and planning honestly.

Remember: realistic schedules aren’t just good project management. They’re good leadership.

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Project Management Soft Skills for Effective Leaders

Manager at white board using project management soft skills

What makes a great project manager, and what are the most important skills of a project manager? While you might be focused on getting the right certification to stand out against other job seekers in this field, it’s also wise to hone in on what are known as soft skills.  

Below, we’ll cover some of the skills required for effective project management. This info can give you a better idea of what will be expected of you, whether you’re entering this career, or you want to move up to the next level by enhancing your project manager resume.  

What Are Project Management Soft Skills? 

When you have hard skills and soft skills, it basically means that you’re capable of combining technical skills and people skills when managing projects.    

What are hard skills? 

Put simply, the types of skills that you typically develop when you go through training are considered hard skills. Being able to use software and other tools to do your job, or knowing how to set up a work breakdown structure (WBS), are some examples. 

What are soft skills? 

Soft skills can include things like communication, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution. With these, you can help people come together to accomplish a project’s goals, and you can motivate them to achieve more. Also, when it comes to complex plans or tasks, the right soft skills can help you make those topics easier to understand so your team can be ready to tackle challenges.  

Project Management Soft Skills for Effective Leaders 

Here are some soft skills that can help you succeed:

1. Communication and listening skills 

Being able to communicate clearly is important when managing projects because you need everyone on your team to know what’s expected of them, and you also want to be able to keep your clients happy as well. Practice communicating with greater clarity and more detail to improve the way you share information with others.  

Also, don’t forget about the importance of being a good listener, too, as this is a skill that can help you address your team’s and client’s needs effectively. Practice active listening to improve the way you understand what another person is trying to tell you.    

2. Leadership, trust building, and motivation skills 

These can help you inspire your teams to work together, and you can get them excited for the project ahead. Rather than just focusing on doling out tasks and merely managing your team, work toward being a leader they can rely on, while also making sure team members trust each other. Consider learning how to teach team building exercises to increase the amount of trust on every team you work with. Also, practice being authentic and transparent. 

3. Conflict resolution and negotiation skills 

Whether you’re leading a large or small team, a conflict might arise here and there. Being able to listen to both sides, understand their expectations, and come up with solutions that work for everyone is a valuable skill. So, in addition to leading by example, consider learning some conflict resolution and negotiation techniques that you can use to ensure everyone will be able to get along.   

4. Organization and time management skills 

As a project manager, you need to be able to organize tasks and create schedules, set up and run meetings, and make sure your team will have all of the resources they’ll need to succeed. Therefore, being highly organized and knowing how to manage time like a pro can help you excel. Practice changing the way you do things on a day-to-day basis, perhaps by implementing new tools, or try to improve the way you manage time and keep everyone organized.   

Project Manager Resume Keywords and Tips 

Who says you can’t put soft skills on your resume? If you want to stand out against other job seekers, showcasing these skills is a smart strategy. After all, while everyone gets the same technical education when they go into a classroom to get a degree or certification, not everyone has soft skills.  

Start by writing down a list of the soft skills you have. If any of them match a job’s requirements, that’s great! But even if they don’t, it’s still worth mentioning them on your resume.  

Set aside a section on your resume where you can list your skills. You can even label them hard skills vs. soft skills. An easy-to-read bulleted list is a good way to go. But you don’t want the list to be too long, so providing three to five soft skills might be sufficient.  

Here are some examples of the soft skills you might list on your resume:  

  • Active listening 
  • Problem solving 
  • Conflict resolution  
  • Team building 

If you’d like to go beyond merely providing a list, you can also write a sentence or two for each soft skill to discuss an instance when you used it in a professional setting.  

RMC Can Help You Develop the Skills Needed for Project Management 

When you’re ready to improve your project management skills, RMC is here to help.

Sources: 

https://www.jobscan.co/blog/soft-skills-resume

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/project-management-skills

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/project-manager-skills-resume

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Manager vs. Leader: Which Are You?

Middle aged manager in a meeting

As a professional in project management, you don’t only manage projects, you also lead teams. So, being able to work as both a manager and a leader can help you excel and really stand out in the workplace.

It’s worth taking some time to uncover the things that differentiate a manager from a leader. After all, some people who are leaders might not make the best managers, and vice versa. But if you’re determined to be both, you can hone your skills to manage and lead more effectively.

Take a look at the information below on managers vs. leaders to figure out which one you are, and to gain a clearer picture of what you might need to do to advance your career. Continue reading Manager vs. Leader: Which Are You?

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New Webinar for Project Management Professionals | RMC Learning Solutions

African American man attending project management webinar

Webinar – Taking the PMP® Exam: What You Need to Know

The PMP® certification exam changed significantly on January 2, 2021. If you are looking to become a certified project manager, you won’t want to miss this webinar.

Join us for information on preparing for the PMP® exam, the changes in the new exam, our recommended strategy to certification, and more. In this one-hour webinar we will answer the top questions professionals need to know when it comes to preparing for the PMP® exam:

  • Is the PMP® right for me?
  • What does the NEW PMP® Exam Content Outline include?
  • Why the changes?
  • What’s the latest information on new question types, exam length and breaks?
  • Should I take the new Online Proctored Exam option?

Thursday, February 4, 2021
12:00 – 1:00 PM Central Time

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

 

Interested in Other Project Management Webinars?

If you are interested in other webinar topics from RMC Learning Solutions, we’ve got you covered.  Simply check out our previous project management webinars.

 

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PMP® Exam Change 2021

African American PM working at her desk

Now is the time to get your PMP certification.  PMI® has announced that the PMP certification exam will change on January 2, 2021. This announcement gives you time to get your application submitted and to prepare to take the exam before the exam changes.  Stay current on the latest PMP exam information.

PMP 2021 Exam Content Outline – What’s New?

The exam change is prompted by the June 2019 release of a new PMP Exam Content Outline. The Exam Content Outline provides a basic description of the number of questions that will be on the PMP exam.  It also includes the number of domains and the percentage of questions within each domain.

A significant difference for the new exam is a change from five performance domains to just three domains. Those domains will include People, making up 42% of questions, Process with 50% of questions, and Business Environment at 8% of questions. It’s also worth noting that PMI has indicated about half the exam will represent predictive management approaches.  The other half of the exam will cover agile or hybrid approaches.

What Are the Content Outline and Exam Based On?

The content outline and exam are based on a role-delineation study of project managers.  This study is performed by PMI about every 4 years. Through this study, PMI gathers and analyzes data describing the role and work of project managers in the workplace. PMI then creates the Exam Content Outline.

The outline provides the foundation of the certification exam based on the results. It includes the percentage of questions by domain, the tasks of the project manager by domain, and the knowledge and skills associated with the project manager’s work. This is designed to keep the PMP exam consistent with the roles and responsibilities of project managers in the workplace.

Important Date to Remember

The PMP exam changes on January 2, 2021. RMC strives to provide early analysis of updates. Please visit our Exam Updates Page for the most current information we have concerning the upcoming content outline and exam changes!

You can also stay current on the exam changes by registering for one of our free webinars on Taking the PMP Exam: What You Need to Know.   Previous sessions are recorded if you cannot attend in person.

Last Content Outline Change

The last time PMI conducted a role delineation study that resulted in an exam change was 2015. At that time PMI estimated that approximately 25% of the exam content changed as the result of the study.

What Can I Do Between Now and 2021 to Get my PMP Certification?

To provide you with the most current exam preparation materials, RMC has analyzed the Exam Content Outline. RMC has fully updated our Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep Products and our Exam Prep Courses to align with the 2021 PMP exam change.

However, there is still time to take the current exam. RMC provides the most effective and innovative project management training available. Using Accelerated Learning Theory, we focus on teaching valuable, real-world skills and practical techniques to help our students learn more in less time. Rita Mulcahy started RMC with the modest idea of helping people pass the PMP exam. Her best-selling book, PMP® Exam Prep, set an industry standard for training material.

Project managers meeting the PMP exam qualifications are strongly encouraged to get certified before the exam changes. We recommend using Rita’s Way™ to complete your study and taking the exam before the January 2021 exam change. Those needing help to prepare can find all our PMP test preparation materials, or call RMC’s customer service at 952-846-4484.

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The 2021 PMP Exam

PMI® will launch the new PMP exam on January 2, 2021. We have been working diligently to update Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep System and Exam Prep Courses to align with the new exam.

What have we done? RMC has analyzed the 2020 Exam Content Outline, attended seminars, engaged with leaders in the project management field.  Using this research, we have made vital updates to Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep System and Exam Prep Courses.  You can always keep up-to-date on exam changes here.

You Can Pass the PMP Exam — RMC has You Covered

RMC provides the most effective and innovative project management training available. Using Accelerated Learning Theory, we focus on teaching valuable, real-world skills and practical techniques to help our students learn more in less time. Rita Mulcahy started RMC with the modest idea of helping people pass the PMP exam. Her best-selling book, PMP® Exam Prep, set an industry standard for training material. After over 30 years, RMC is now the most respected name in PMP exam preparation.

How Did the PMP Exam Change?

A significant difference for the new PMP exam is a change from five performance domains to just three. The new domains will include People, making up 42% of questions, Process with 50% of questions, and Business Environment at 8% of questions. It’s also worth noting that PMI has indicated about half the exam will represent predictive project management approaches with the other half covering agile or hybrid approaches.

To give you some background, the content outline and exam are based on a role-delineation study of project managers and project management work that is performed by PMI about every 4 years. Through this study, PMI gathers and analyzes data describing the role and work of project managers in the workplace. PMI then creates the Examination Content Outline, which provides the underpinnings of the certification exam based on these results. It includes the percentage of questions by domain, the tasks of the project manager by domain, and the knowledge and skills associated with the project manager’s work. This is designed to keep the PMP exam consistent with the current roles and responsibilities of project managers in the workplace.

If you want further information, attend one of our free webinars on Taking the PMP Exam: What You Need to Know.   If you cannot make any of the sessions, you can listen to a recording of a previous webinar.

How Can You Prepare for—and Pass—the PMP Exam? 

We expect PMP exam changes on January 2, 2021 to be VERY significant and RMC has been working hard to give you the best materials possible. We have updated every part of our system to align with the new Examination Content Outline from PMI.

Project managers meeting the PMP exam qualifications can start preparing for the new exam now!  Our PMP Exam Prep book and PMP Exam Prep System for the 2021 exams are available for pre-order.  We recommend using Rita’s Way™ to complete your study. You can find all our PMP test preparation materials on our website or call RMC’s customer service at 952-846-4484.

PMP Exam Prep Book, 10th Edition

Our tenth edition has exam tips, practice exams, exercises, and valuable content that will help you pass the PMP exam on your first try. We have added content to align with the new domains of People, Process, and Business Environment from the Examination Content Outline, as well as agile content pertinent to passing the new exam. The tenth edition of the PMP® Exam Prep book is now available.  English; Spanish and Portuguese (Brazil) translation availability is expected in the first quarter of 2021). The new book is aligned with the new Examination Content Outline, as well as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (Sixth Edition)(PMBOK® Guide).

Hot Topics Flashcards for the PMP® Exam

As a complement to the book, our popular Hot Topics flashcards for the PMP® Exam have been updated to cover agile concepts. Completely mobile, these flashcards supply over 350 + questions and answers to test your knowledge and find your gaps. Our new Hot Topics flashcards (in English) is now available. The Spanish and Portuguese (Brazil) translation availability is expected in the first quarter of 2021. Pricing, formats, and discounts are still being determined.

PM FASTrack® Cloud Exam Simulator

The PMP® Exam is changing significantly requiring significant changes to our exam simulator. We have added hundreds more questions on both agile and predictive project management. Some of the questions are in a drag-and-drop format as will be found on the new exam. The power of using our book along with our robust exam simulation software cannot be underestimated.

We provide valuable exam tips throughout our book as well as a section on what to expect on the exam. Our exam simulator is more than thought-provoking questions; it is a true simulator where you get to experience as closely as possible what it’s like to take the real exam. Our new exam prep simulator (in English) is now available.

PMP® Exam Prep eLearning Course

RMC’s PMP Exam Prep eLearning Course is perfect for the visual learner. We are making the necessary updates to incorporate agile content and information based on the Examination Content Outline domains. With interactive, engaging exercises and quizzes, the PMP® Exam eLearning course makes preparing for the exam fun. Hours of lively audio, valuable information, interactions, and quizzes make this an RMC best-seller! Plus, integrated into the course are our PMP® Exam Prep, Tenth Edition book, Hot Topics flashcards, and the updated FASTrack exam simulator.

The new PMP® Exam Prep eLearning course is expected to be released in January 2021.

Virtual Classes with Top Instructors

Many of RMC’s instructors have been personally trained by Rita Mulcahy. All our courses use Rita’s Accelerated Learning Theory, so you don’t have to spend your time memorizing a lot of material. Nowhere else will you find the passion to help you succeed. Our instructors want to help you pass the PMP exam AND become a better project manager. With decades of knowledge behind us, RMC provides the optimal learning experience. Plus, you can take our classes virtually! More information on our Live Virtual Classes for the New 2021 exam will be added to our schedule soon.

Need our Support? Don’t Hesitate to Contact Us

If you purchased 9th Edition PMP Exam Prep products from us or have attended an RMC class based on the 9th Edition products and fail to get your PMP® certification before the exam change for any reason, we will support you and offer free or discounted upgrades to the newest products designed for the 2021 exam update (subject to provisions).

Sources:

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Taking the PMP® Exam Online Versus Test In Person

Close up of student's hands working at the computer to choose to take the PMP online or in person

You’ve made the decision to take the PMP exam. Now you need to consider whether to take the test online or in person. Understanding the pros and the cons of each option will help you select which is best for you. You can always find the latest on the PMP exam here. As you consider your course of action, let’s start by describing what it looks like to take the PMP exam online.

What Does Online Proctoring Really Mean?

Taking the test online is a relatively new option. You should become familiar with how an online exam is executed. To take the PMP exam online, you need a quiet, private space. You should plan on having NO interruptions from colleagues, family, or pets.

No one is allowed in the room while you are taking your online test. The proctor will invalidate your exam if you are moving around or there is a lot of noise during the test. Make sure you have a strong internet connection and use a reliable and fully charged laptop or desktop computer.

During the online check-in process, your proctor will verify your identity using a current government issued ID. You will be asked to take four photos of your work area to make sure your space is in compliance. You can check-in up to 30 minutes before the exam is scheduled to get settled in.

Compliance means no materials, books, notepads, pencils, pens or other writing instruments nearby. Other electronic devices such as phones and watches (including smartwatches) must be removed and shut off. You can expect the PMP test to last for four hours. Find a space where you will be comfortable. Remember, you cannot eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum during the exam. Plan accordingly.

What are Some the of the Online Test Features?

During the exam, you will have access to some online features. You may have the option during the exam to use ONVUE’s built- in digital whiteboard for note taking. Since you are not allowed to use physical scratch paper for note boards, you can use the white board for those purposes. You are able to practice using the online white board anytime. You’ll also have access to an on-screen calculator.

Choosing the Online PMP Exam

Taking the PMP exam online is a relatively new option. It is convenient to take your test from home, but it requires a preparation, no interruptions and a strong, reliable internet connection.

Let’s look at the Online Exam PROS:

  • Avoid the risks of COVID 19. If you are worried or are high risk, this is an important health consideration.
  • Flexible times and days of the week – 24/7. This gives you more test date options, domestically and internationally, than in person.
  • Test sooner. More dates are available online compared to in person. You are also less likely to experience date and venue changes.
  • No travel During COVID, limited test center availability could mean you have to drive farther away to take your exam.
  • Test in the comfort and familiarity of your home.

Online Exam CONS:

  • Potential inability to have a quiet space free of interruptions. This may create an added level of test anxiety.
  • Risk of not being compliant. Your movements are limited. You cannot talk, even to read a question out loud.
  • Issues with technology and connectivity.  Make sure you are familiar with the system requirements,  perform a system test and a strong internet connection.
  • Delays in proctor communication online.

Why Consider the Taking the PMP In Person

The PMP test has been offered in person for decades. The process of in-person testing is known and the experience is well-documented. However, in our current environment, it can be challenging to find an in person center to sit for your exam at the time you want.

In Person PROS:

  • Known rules, environment and protocols clearly laid out by the in person test center.
  • Test centers are available around the world.
  • Ability to provide accommodations. PMI regularly handles requests for PMP test accommodations. Contact the program directly to determine your next steps.
  • Ability to use center-provided writing materials, including an erasable note board.
  • You get a 10-minute break, same as the online test, after you complete and submit Part 1 of the exam. You can also take unscheduled bathroom breaks.

In Person CONS:

  • Extended wait time to schedule your test due to lack of availability. It may take more time to find a date that works for you. We recommend you check the Pearson Vue website daily, or several times per day, to see if new dates and times open up.
  • When scheduling the test, only a few in-person locations show in the search results. The test center uses distance to display information. Consider expanding your search to a wider radius from home, to find more in-person centers.
  • Cancellation uncertainty. There is the potential that your test date could get canceled or moved because of the COVID 19 environment.
  • In person testing requires you to wear a mask the entire time, including during the test.
  • Potential exposure to COVID 19. Test centers have detailed information on their procedures.

Can I Change my PMP Exam from Online to a In Person?

You can change your test option even after you have registered to take the PMP test. To change your PMP exam from online to in person, you need to cancel your online appointment. You will receive a refund for the class. You must pay for and schedule a new exam. The same is true if you change your test from in person to online.

When changing your online class to in person, you may not find the same date you originally schedule. Dates and locations may also be limited. A word of caution: Don’t cancel your online or in-person appointment until you find a date that is a suitable replacement.

Up Next, It’s About Preparing for the Exam

Once you get your exam date schedule, you can focus on studying for the exam. To prepare for the PMP® exam, check out RMC’s training options for self-study, instructor-led virtual training, classroom training and eLearning courses.

RMC provides the most effective and innovative project management training available. we focus on teaching valuable, real-world skills and practical techniques to help you learn more in less time. Good luck!

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What to Expect from Your RMC PMP Exam Prep Course

Two men working on their computer from their desk

When you’re ready to become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), RMC will be there to help you with our proven PMP course. What’s it all about? Well, it’s geared towards preparing you for the challenging PMP certification exam so you can pass it on your first try.  What should you expect from this course? 

The Goal of RMC’s PMP Exam Course

Our PMP course is an accelerated program that’s packed with engaging material. It will allow you to prepare for the 200-question PMP exam that takes four hours to complete. We won’t lie, this is definitely an intense test, but we take a lot of the stress out of it.

How do we do that? By showing you exactly what you need to internalize in order to answer the multiple-choice questions with greater ease. It’s that simple.

Thanks to expert instruction and high-quality materials, you’ll be able to gain a greater understanding of complex project management topics in a shorter amount of time. Of course, it’s best if you also make the effort to study more on your own to reinforce what we teach you during the class. And taking practice exams is also a smart way to fully prepare yourself to pass the exam and become certified. The idea is to use our course as your foundation and guide.

What Makes Our PMP Exam Course Different?

There are a lot of study materials and courses out there, all geared towards helping you pass the PMP exam and advance your project management career. But our course is different.

We use a wide range of tools, such as case studies, games, and various exercises, to make it easier for you to actually understand and apply what you’re learning. This is not about merely memorizing facts. If you want to pass the PMP exam, you need to know how to apply concepts and processes in real-world situations. And we show you how to do just that by using the groundbreaking Rita Mulcahy method. 

Select Your Preferred Method of Learning

At RMC, we know that, when it comes to learning, you can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we offer a PMP exam prep course online and in person. Check out our virtual class schedule and our  live class schedule to see when a PMP course meets your needs. You’ll be able to receive expert guidance from an instructor in real-time. 

As an alternative, you can also purchase self-study materials and do it all on your own, or you can opt to take an eLearning course to follow your own schedule and work at your own pace. Discover what it takes to pass the PMP exam so you can take your career to new heights.  

Enroll Today and Get Your PMP Certification

A PMP certification, which is recognized all over the world, can open up opportunities for growth in the field of project management. But, first, you need to pass PMI’s tough exam. Take the stress out of learning what’s necessary to pass this test by using our proven, time tested PMP exam prep course. And get ready to take your exam confidence! 

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Should I Take the PMP® Exam in 2020 or Wait Until 2021?

Woman sitting on coach with computer thinking about taking the PMP exam

As you know, PMI is changing the PMP Exam as of January 2, 2021.  We know you are trying to figure out which option is best for you in the time that remains — or if you have already made your decision — to help shake off any worries you may have on your journey to certification.

Why Take the Current PMP Exam in 2020?

If you have the qualifications to sit for the exam now, why wait?  If you are confident in your preparation, you should leverage your knowledge and take it now.  You can schedule to take the exam online or in person.  However, if you are not ready or struggling to achieve your goal before the exam changes in January, but still want to take the exam before it changes, consider a virtual class with an experienced instructor.

You know the benefits of becoming a PMP.  If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be considering it.  Getting the benefit of being PMP-certified will get you those benefits that much sooner.  Having the PMP now, could help you further demonstrate your value in your current position. It could also help you secure a new job in this uncertain economic climate.

The current PMP Exam is a well-known. Exam parameters, question style, and virtually everything else about the current exam is known and documented. We have it figured out. The current exam content outline has been in place for several years.  We understand the level of difficulty and what it takes to pass.  On the contrary, we are still getting to know the 2021 exam and its level of difficulty.   This uncertainty can increase the areas you’ll need to understand and study.

Although the passing score of the current exam is not published, it is a well-established, consistent figure and it will not change before the end of 2020.

Therefore, if you qualify to sit for the exam, are executing on your study plan and have your education hours, getting your cert in 2020 is still your best option!

Why Take the NEW PMP Exam in 2021?

The PMP Exam is not trivial.  It requires disciplined study and 35 training contact hours.  Don’t try to jam it in this year if you don’t have the time or you need to take additional classes to get your contact hours.

If you don’t have the required experience hours for your application right now, you should probably plan for the new exam.  Get the new book and start studying now!  You can learn new skills and become a better project manager to impact your work today.

If you are experienced in Agile or Hybrid, it will help with 50% of exam questions in the new 2021 exam.  Remember, study will still be required — particularly if you don’t have plan-driven project experience which remains a significant part of the PMP exam.

You may have more options to take the exam in a testing center in 2021.  We suspect pandemic conditions will improve in 2021, allowing for more testing center options to open.  Also, many testers find the online proctored exam environment is much more restrictive than in-person testing centers.

What is My Best Option Right Now?

The best plan for most of us right now is to try to get the exam in and get certified in 2020.  Either way, you need time to study.  Be sure to honestly assess your time available to study and your overall readiness.

No matter which choice you make, RMC can help.

RMC’s Exam Support and Guidance

If you choose to take the 2020 exam, and you are using our 9th Edition products or eLearning,  that’s great; however if, for some reason, you find you can’t take the exam in 2020,  we offer free or discounted upgrades to 10th Edition products for the new 2021 PMP exam.  For students in our 9th Edition instructor-led courses, who fail the exam in 2020, you qualify for our class guarantee (subject to guarantee provisions).

Want to speak with someone directly?  Our customer service staff can help advise you. Please contact RMC at 952-846-4484 or info@rmcls.com with any questions.  You can also register for one of our PMP Exam free monthly webinars.

Sources: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp

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Today’s Project Manager: 9 Tips For Effective Project Management in 2020

Business woman discussing a project with a colleague at a desk

Is trying to manage your ever-changing project management plan keeping you awake at night? Does defining your requirements feel like trying to wrestle an angry octopus into a string bag? Do you feel torn between allowing your customers and team to be agile while simultaneously creating defendable schedules, estimates, and scope definitions for your sponsors?

Fear not. While the struggle is real, so are the solutions. Teams have been grappling with project requirements in flux, high rates of change, and demands for detailed plans for years. We can steal their best strategies and avoid common mistakes. Let’s explore 9 project management planning tips for taming wild projects without stifling agile teams or mumbling when asked about the project management plan.

1. Take a Customer-Centric Approach

Relentlessly focusing on customer needs and wants is the way to win them over. Showing genuine care for their desires builds understanding about the true project management requirements.

Sponsors listen to customers more than project managers about progress. With the customer on your side, changes to the plans are supported when they improve the solution.

Do this by collocating with the customer whenever possible. Live their world and share their frustrations to understand their needs for the system.

2. Think MVP not Kitchen Sink

MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. Ask what is the smallest thing we can build first that demonstrates our solution would be valuable?

Work with your customers to identify their highest-value items in the product. Often the highest priority items are surprising, so ask not presume.

Create a prioritized backlog of features and a visual roadmap of what can be developed when based on team estimates. Build this functionality first to demonstrate value.

3. Prototype Concepts Cheaply

Developing software is an expensive way of verifying we understand our customer needs. So use paper prototypes to mock-up screens and websites first.

Rapid prototyping with hand-drawn paper designs is a collaborative process that customers can engage in too. This inclusion builds ownership and support.

Get your teams to verify understandings with quick prototypes before coding. Changes are quicker, cheaper, and the process of engaging the customer increases buy-in.

4. Engage the Team in Solutioning

Teams do not want to be handed task lists. Teams want to solve problems, delight customers, and deliver value.

Humans are hard-wired to get a buzz from problem-solving. This is why people do crosswords and sudoku puzzles in their spare time. We get an endorphin buzz to further our learning and evolution.

Present work as problems to be solved rather than task lists. Teams will enjoy their work more and be more productive.

5. Exercise All the Architecture

Issues can spring up in any new hardware or software component. Until we have proved things work, they contain risks of failure.

If we will need it at some point, then let’s try it out as part of the project execution to make sure there are no unforeseen problems lurking in there.

Deliberately test each component of a solution as soon as possible. Prove the connections work or surprises are found while we still have time to address them.

6. Prove it or Pivot

Not all ideas or products are a success. Collaborating with customers during development should let us know early on if we have a winner or a dud.

Sometimes the best outcome is a fast failure while we can divert remaining time and funds towards other initiatives.

Create review points to evaluate progress and benefits. Facilitate a frank conversation between sponsors and customers. Did we prove the product viable, or is it time to pivot towards something else?  This project management tip will allow you to adapt quickly.

7. Go with the Flow

Projects need initial estimates for approval, but these are inaccurate since they are based on information from when we knew the least about the project – at the start.

As the project progresses, it is important to transition from these initial estimates and project management plans to new ones based on actual rates of progress.

Use the number of features delivered and actual spend rates to produce new completion projections. Using the actual data flowing from the team builds the most accurate plans.

8. Courageous Project Management Transparency

Share information, good and bad, with stakeholders throughout the project execution. The one thing people like less than bad news is late bad news.

Sharing information throughout the project demonstrates the desired behavior. Teams that see project managers sharing their mistakes and questions are more likely to do the same.

Many project failures can be traced to communication failures. When we fail to communicate we set the scene for cascades of problems. So be transparent and share information.

9. Review and Adapt What Matters

No plan survives contact with reality. Once we get into our project, we will learn new information about the project and our team dynamics.

We need to review the evolving solution and how the team is working together. Is the product working as expected? Are we working together as best we can?

Every couple of weeks ask the team: what should we do more of? What should we do less of? Experiment with team suggestions. Keep what works, learn from failures.

Here’s to Change…

Project management plans and estimates might change, but by being transparent and using the team’s actual production rates to create new plans, they will be defendable and realistic. Often the business customers become the project manager’s most reliable allies, answering many of the questions about completion dates and quality.

Customers are the most potent salespeople. They have fewer ulterior motives and the most credible stories. Work with them earnestly, and even the most dynamic projects can become rewarding partnerships.  Consider some other thoughts from