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Project Management Trend: Artificial Intelligence

Two female colleagues discuss the project management trend of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a key project management trend.  It is having a tremendous effect on business and our lives. Look to your local bank or pharmacy to experience the impact of improved voice recognition software or see how certain ads follow you as you navigate the internet.

There is no reason to believe that project management will not be affected by artificial intelligence. Indeed, AI and machine learning are already in use in the field. As project managers, it is important to embrace new technologies.  We see that with tools such as Clickup, Polydone and Clarizen. Those tools represent a beginning of an AI revolution and promise to make a project manager more productive. However, to be successful, a project manager will still be required to understand the principles of project management. AI is helpful but it is not a substitute for project management knowledge.

Basics of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been defined as “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.”  It is also defined as “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.” These definitions are fairly broad and bring to mind things like the Turing Test and I Robot. The Turing Test is named after the British cryptologist, Alan Turing. According to Turing, a machine may be considered truly intelligent if a person, interacting with the machine is incapable of telling the difference between the machine and a human. I Robot refers to a novel by Isaac Asimov in which he set forth the three laws of robotics. The artificial intelligence we see in our world is narrower.  Much of the AI being used in agile and planned project management software is “narrow AI” or “narrow artificial intelligence.” This type of artificial intelligence is exemplified by speech recognition and data mining software.

AI in Project Management

For project managers there are software tools that can identify issues, bugs and project backlogs. For example, Clickup helps project managers select project team members. These tools are helpful.  From an artificial intelligence standpoint, they are in their infancy.

What matters is the fact that more intelligent software is coming. And it will inevitably have an impact on project management. The following is a wish list of capabilities that we are likely to see in the near future. They will impact all facets of the profession from team creation to project close out. To fully exploit these technologies, a project manager must be well versed in the principles of traditional, planned, project management, agile and their hybrids.

AI Improves Project Software

Let’s start with team creation.  Even now, smart computer systems are able to identify potential team members based on skills, education, experience and availability. These systems make recommendations to the project manager for inclusion on a project team.  This allows the PM to by-pass the initial vetting and better identify potential project resources. Clickup has some, but not yet all, of these capabilities.

In the near future AI will be able to take a first crack at putting together project tasks.  It will incorporate them into an initial schedule and rank them in importance to the project. Polydone has some of these capabilities. Once the project is going, intelligent software will be able to warn project managers of upcoming deadlines.  AI could know where the project has or is in danger of slipping, allowing the project manager to take action before the project falls behind.

Then there’s risk. Intelligent software will be able to scan past projects and other sources to identify potential risks specific to the project. Intelligence systems will be able to look at risks related to location, type of project, and environment. AI would even be able to evaluate strategic risks resulting from changes that would render the project impossible or pointless to complete. All of these capabilities can probably be added to existing project management software platforms.

Other AI Solutions for Projects

To effectively exploit these new capabilities companies will have to create systems to capture and organize data so that it can be utilized by these new artificially intelligent systems.

For an artificially intelligent system to be able to help with team selection it will have to access human resource records describing employee competence and experience as well as performance evaluations.  They also will have to be able to hook into calendaring software which looks into a potential team member’s availability to serve on a team.

There are employee confidentiality issues that need to be worked through for this type of capability to be used by a project manager in team selection. Once identified, however, a potential team member will still need to be interviewed by the project manager to see if they are a good fit for the project team.

Modified Systems to Exploit AI

Data storage and access systems need to be put in place for intelligent software to assist with other aspects of project management. An easy one is the data relating to work and schedule on a particular project. Another is how the project is performing against that schedule.  With this data a project manager can identify trouble spots.  However, they still have to figure out why the project is delayed and how the problem could be fixed. The distinction between AI and human is issue spotting versus issue resolution. AI might be able to identify potential problems, but the project manager will still have to solve it.

A more complex issue is found for software designed to evaluate invoices against project performance.  Software could analyze performance (work completed and accepted) against invoices.  This assumes work progress is captured by the project team and incorporated into a software readable system. To make this happen, project, budgeting and accounting software will need the ability to talk to each other. Some of these systems could be diverse and may require new code to allow them to efficiently transfer data between them. AI enabled software can spot a disconnect between work performed versus billed. However, the project manage still needs to dig into the disconnect and negotiate a resolution with the vendor.

Risk Management and Artificial Intelligence

To identify, quantify and potentially manage risk, an intelligent tool must have access to historic documents relating to prior similar projects, unrelated projects in similar environments and information relating to the industry in which the project is being conducted. AI can identify risk and even describe how a risk may have been resolved in previous similar projects. The PM still needs to create risk management plans and budgets for mitigating and managing the risk.

Artificial Intelligence has tremendous potential for improving project management efficiency.  To realize that potential companies will need to ensure that their computer systems capture and format all data relating to its projects in a way that is usable by these new intelligent systems. This may not just be a software fix. Business processes may have to be modified as well.

Importance of Project Management Skills

It’s key for project managers to understand the information being provided by these intelligent systems and creating plans for using it. To do this, a project manager needs to be competent. They need training, experience and skill in project management. These are the so-called hard skills of the art and science of project management. Equally important are the soft skills such as leadership, communication and negotiation. A project manager also needs to have the ability to see the big picture to see where their project fits an organization’s overall goals.

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Peterson’s LLC Successfully Completes Acquisition of RMC Learning Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peterson’s LLC Successfully Completes Acquisition of RMC Learning Solutions

Denver, January 25, 2024 – Peterson’s, a long-standing leader in test preparation and educational publishing, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its acquisition of RMC Learning Solutions. This strategic move represents a pivotal moment in Peterson’s growth strategy and underscores its commitment to innovation and expansion in credentialing markets.

The acquisition of RMC Learning Solutions, a highly respected project management education company known for its PMP, CAPM, and Agile prep, positions Peterson’s to deliver enhanced value to customers and clients. The melding of resources and expertise is expected to drive synergies between organizations.

“We are excited to welcome RMC into the Peterson’s family,” said Mo Lam, President at Peterson’s. “This alignment brings together two entities with a shared commitment to excellence, and we believe it will propel us to new heights in terms of product service offerings and delivery channels.”

Key personnel from RMC are joining Peterson’s, bringing with them a wealth of talent and experience. This infusion of new perspectives is anticipated to further enrich the collaborative culture of Peterson’s and contribute to its ongoing success.

For media inquiries or further information about the acquisition, please contact:

Elizabeth Barry
VP Operations
Peterson’s LLC
pr@petersons.com

About Peterson’s:
Peterson’s is a leading educational publisher dedicated to furthering education after high school and beyond. From culinary school to medical school–and everything in-between–Peterson’s helps you discover, prepare for, and fund your education. www.petersons.com

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All New PMP Exam Prep Audiobook-11th Edition

Cover image of the PMP Exam Prep Audiobook 11th edition RMC Learning Solutions is pleased to announce the release of its new PMP Exam Prep Audio Book.   This new book complements our best-selling “PMP Exam Prep Book – 11th Edition,” and joins the PMP Exam Prep system which includes our Fastrack Exam Simulation Software and our Hot Topics flash card product.

The Need for the PMP Exam Prep Audiobook

In January 2020 the Project Management Institute (PMI) dramatically changed the way it looked at project management and the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.  Previously, PMI focused on process oriented planned project management.  Competency in other project management techniques such as adaptive project management were tested through other certifications – the Agile Certified Practitioner exam (ACP) and the Disciplined Agile exams.  Up to 2020, while incorporating some aspects of these adaptive practices, the PMP remained primarily focused on planned project management as reflected in the Sixth Edition of PMI’s Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide).

 

PMP Exam Changes

In 2020, the PMP underwent significant changes.  Knowledge Areas were replaced by Domains.  PMI’s new Exam Content Outline (ECO) for the PMP tested people on their knowledge of three domains – People, Processes and Business Environment.  PMI continues make improvements to the PMP.

These changes to the exam required a dramatic alteration in the way we trained students to pass the PMP exam, resulting in the 11th Edition of our PMP Exam Prep book.

To complement the new 11th Edition of our book, we have incorporated many of the benefits of audiobooks. Our abridged audio version is designed to assist audio learners to absorb the material necessary for them to pass the exam. Like our other audio books, this audio version allows students to listen to book content anywhere they would listen to music or any other audiobook – in the car, on the bus, in a train or a plane.  You can also read while you listen allowing you to absorb the material from two different pathways.

Changes to the PMP 11th Edition Audiobook

Like the 11th Edition print and cloud exam prep books, the new 11th edition audio book is completely redesigned.  The book is professionally narrated providing over 18 hours of content. It emulates the written book and is organized around PMI’s latest ECO.  Like the written book, the audio book maximizes retention and avoids memorization.  You learn the material, not merely memorize it to spit it back out lateron the exam.

Also, we don’t waste your time.  The book teaches only what you need to learn to get your PMP Certification with an easy to understand, straight forward approach to the material.  This is not an academic presentation in any way.

Discover the PMP Exam Prep Audiobook

RMC’s PMP Exam Prep products are powered by Rita Mulcahy’s 30 + years of global prep training.  Find out more about the PMP Exam Prep Audiobook. We also offer PMP training classes, live and online.

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How to prevent project scope creep

Project manager using post it notes on white board to manage scope creep

Scope creep happens when a project’s scope is changed or additional requirements are implemented.  It happens after the start of a project, and you don’t really have any control over it. Although you know changes are likely to occur at some point during any project, the lack of control that comes with changes can be very stressful.

More specifically, scope creep occurs when changes to a project haven’t been authorized, and when the effects of those changes haven’t been addressed. Worse yet, you’re still required to achieve the project’s goals with the same schedule, budget, and resources that you had before the changes were made.

All of this might mean that you’re unable to meet the original authorized aspects of your project on time, and it might cause the project to fail unless you know how to tackle changes in scope. Continue reading How to prevent project scope creep

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What Makes an eLearning Course “Good”?

Person a desk attending an eLearning class

Interactive eLearning courses are hugely popular because so many people lead busy lives that make it difficult to get to a classroom or take an online course that’s offered live on a set schedule. Also, many people don’t have the funding available to travel to classes or leave work in order to attend class. Put simply, a lot of learners today need flexibility so they can study around their schedule, and they need to absorb new concepts in short amounts of time.

When you enroll in the right eLearning course, you can study the material that you need to advance your career, but you can do it from the comfort of home and at your own pace. Yet, despite their many benefits, not all eLearning courses are created equal. So, what makes an eLearning course worth your time and money?

Continue reading What Makes an eLearning Course “Good”?

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How to create a project communication plan

Woman writing a project communication plan

Creating a clear communication plan can help you effectively collaborate with your team, client, and stakeholders. Like other tools that you’ll use for the duration of a project, this plan will set straightforward guidelines that everyone will follow to stay on the same page as they work on meeting goals.

What’s a Project Communication Plan?

This plan outlines the methods that will be used to share information (think: meetings, emails, phone calls, status reports, discussion boards, etc.). And it also covers when information will be shared, who will be sharing it, and who will be receiving it. Plus, it gives everyone the opportunity to provide critical feedback that can help ensure a project’s success. Continue reading How to create a project communication plan

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Create a Project Charter in Project Management

Young man creating a project charter

The project charter is a critical element of the project management process.  The charter is one of the first steps in initiating a project.  It is the tool allowing you to gain “buy in” on the project and its goals. Given its purpose, the charter should have minimum jargon and be easy to read.

Creating a Project Charter

  1. What Is a Project Charter?
  2. What Are the Benefits of Using a Charter?
  3. What to Include in A Project Charter

 

What Is a Project Charter?

The project charter is a document created by the project manager (along with the resources available). It is issued by the project’s sponsor and authorizes the project, giving the project manager authority to do their work. The charter is a high level description of , a target that must be met.The project has to be plans the project to reach that target.

Contained in the charter are the high-level scope and direction for the project, as well as other constraints and objectives that a project must meet in order to build that scope and be  considered a success. The information in the charter is the basis of the more detailed project management plan used to keep everyone focused on what needs to be achieved throughout the life of the project.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Charter?

A project charter provides the basis for the project manager and the team to know what problem they will solve or opportunity they will  take advantage of for their organization. Beyond that, a project charter provides the following benefits:

  • Formally authorizes the project to continue
  • Gives the project manager authority to spend money and commit resources on behalf of the organization
  • Provides the high-level project  requirements
  • Links the project to the ongoing work for the organization

 

What to Include In a Project Charter

Following are a list of items you should have in your project charter:

  1. A high-level description of the project. It should include the business case with the financial or other basis justifying the project.
  2. Establishment of a clear view of the initiative’s organizational value by addressing the business case and maintaining focus on meeting project objectives.
  3. dentification of  pre-assigned resources that may influence how the project will be planned. Some projects come with constraints on the number, location, or type of resources.
  4. identification of the key stakeholders who will affect or be affected by the project or product, as well as their known requirements.
  5. High level documentation of the major deliverables and the end result of the project as part of the product description.
  6. The intended end results of the project.
  7. Any known project constraints, such as time cost, scope, quality, resources, communications, risk, or stakeholder expectations. These may limit how the project is delivered.
  8. Known organizational, team or stakeholder assumptions.These will be tested , during planning, and updated throughout the project.
  9. Finally, the charter should describe project objectives in measurable terms, along with how the project will be evaluated for success or failure, who will sign off where necessary, and the authority level assigned to the project manager.

A charter including all this allows for the development of a project management plan that thoroughly defines the project, defines “done” and helps ensure a clear picture of what constitutes the end of the project.A

 

A Charter’s Big Impact on Your Project

Keep in mind that the project charter serves as a definition of how success of the project and the project manager will be measured. Therefore, without a charter, a project’s success, efficiency, and effectiveness are often difficult to measure.

Given its purpose and original (management) audience, the project charter should have a minimum of jargon, to be easy to read. It is a critical element of the project management process,  and is one of the outputs of project initiating .  It is essential to gaining buy in on the project and its goals.

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Three proven ways analysis prevents scope creep

Close up of two colleague at computer working on proven ways analysis prevents scope screep

Scope creep is one of the most persistent challenges in project management. One minute your project is aligned and under control, and the next, you’re fielding new feature requests, “quick” changes, and sudden stakeholder expectations that weren’t in the original plan.

But while scope creep is often blamed on stakeholders or shifting priorities, it usually starts earlier—with incomplete or unclear analysis. When business analysis is rigorous, scope creep doesn’t just get managed; it gets prevented.

Here are three proven ways analysis plays a frontline role in controlling scope and delivering successful projects.

1. Clear Requirements Prevent Ambiguity from Taking Root

At the heart of most scope creep stories is a set of vague or misunderstood requirements. That’s where strong business analysis changes the game.

What good analysis looks like:

  • Collaborating with stakeholders to elicit detailed needs, not just top-level desires
  • Documenting both functional and non-functional requirements
  • Using techniques like user stories, process models, and acceptance criteria to remove ambiguity

Why it works: When requirements are clear and complete, there’s less room for interpretation. This reduces the risk of stakeholders later saying, “Oh, I thought it would also do X.”

PM application: As a project manager, you can use business analysis outputs (e.g., validated requirements documents or signed-off user stories) as your baseline. It gives you a strong foundation to say, “That request is out of scope—let’s assess it through change control.”

2. Stakeholder Analysis Uncovers Hidden Needs Early

Scope creep often arises not from bad intent, but from stakeholders who weren’t properly engaged early on. Business analysts are experts at identifying and analyzing the full stakeholder ecosystem.

What good analysis looks like:

  • Conducting stakeholder mapping and influence analysis
  • Holding structured discovery workshops across roles and departments
  • Asking probing questions that uncover competing priorities

Why it works: When all key voices are heard early, you get a more complete picture of what success looks like. Late-breaking requirements from overlooked stakeholders are a major cause of scope creep—one that can be avoided with strong initial analysis.

PM application: Use the stakeholder register and communication plan developed by or with your BA to ensure engagement is active, not reactive. When new requests arise, it’s easier to trace them back to the stakeholder strategy and handle them methodically.

3. Impact Analysis Creates a Culture of Change Discipline

Not all change is bad. Sometimes mid-project shifts are necessary. The danger lies in treating every new idea as easy or free. That’s where impact analysis—a core business analysis discipline—comes in.

What good analysis looks like:

  • Assessing the ripple effect of proposed changes on time, cost, risk, and quality
  • Identifying affected systems, dependencies, and stakeholder groups
  • Providing decision-makers with clear data to evaluate trade-offs

Why it works: When you introduce discipline around change, teams become more thoughtful. Stakeholders understand that every change comes with consequences, which encourages more careful prioritization.

PM application: Use the BA’s impact analysis to support your change control process. It arms you with evidence to support hard conversations and reinforces a professional standard: we can make changes, but we won’t do it blindly.

Final Thought: Analysis Is Prevention, Not Just Documentation

The best time to fight scope creep isn’t when it shows up—it’s before the project starts. Strong business analysis brings clarity, alignment, and discipline to the table. And as a project manager, partnering closely with your BA (or stepping into that role when needed) helps you lead with confidence and control.

When analysis is proactive, scope stays in check. And when scope stays in check, projects stay on track.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clear, validated requirements prevent ambiguous additions later
  • Early stakeholder analysis ensures no critical voices are missed
  • Impact analysis gives teams the tools to assess and manage change constructively

Scope creep will always be a threat. But with strong analysis, it doesn’t have to be inevitable.

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Better Project Manager? Embrace Disruptive Technologies

Manager working with team at computer

Sometimes technological innovations can feel more troublesome than beneficial, especially where adoption of these innovations has a steep learning curve and requires changes in company policies and procedures.  The truth is that disruptive technologies often help you do your job better as a project manager. In fact, embracing these changes and allowing yourself and your team to evolve might be the best way to navigate what would otherwise be a stressful situation.

Disruptive technologies can allow you to automate basic tasks.  It can also save time, and help you become more efficient. Businesses that adopt new technology are much more likely to succeed.

Disruptive Technology Helps Project Managers

  1. AI, Cloud Solutions, and IoT
  2. Artificial Intelligence Saves Time and Reduces Effort
  3. Cloud Solutions Help Improve Collaboration for Project Managers
  4. The Internet of Things is Changing the Way People Work
  5. Use Disruptive Technologies to Improve as a Project Manager
  6. Businesses Unwilling to Change Will Be Left Behind

AI, Cloud Solutions, and IoT

There are many disruptive technologies. Three of them stand out as those that can have the greatest impact on an organization. They can give you a competitive advantage, as a project manager, while helping you meet your goals.

Artificial Intelligence Saves Time and Reduces Effort

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has many definitions.  According to Websters Dictionary artificial intelligence is “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior” or “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.”

This definition has changed over time.   It has become more functional so that AI includes things like robotically controlled aircraft to machine and deep learning systems used by Amazon and Google. [cite] The point is that AI and AI systems are finding their way into organizations and workplaces.   And AI will affect the day-to-day jobs of all workers, including project managers. [cite] The good news is that these systems can make your life and your work easier.  With AI, you can get basic, tedious, tasks done more efficiently, with fewer errors, and less bias. That’s because AI can work with a lot of stored information to make decisions reliably and quickly.

AI can perform tasks like budgeting and scheduling.  Soon AI systems will have the ability to look at the mass of data from a your current, past and other related projects.  It can help predict issues, risks, and even potential fraud.  It even will have the ability to evaluate team members and identify patterns of behavior that could affect a project.  In short, you’ll have more time to focus on bigger, more important tasks. You can put more energy towards being a strategic leader.  That’s going to help you stand out as a project manager.

Cloud Solutions Help Improve Collaboration for Project Managers

The cloud isn’t only handy as a backup in case your system fails.  It is also a smart tool to use when you want to improve team collaboration. Once multiple users have access to the cloud, they can get what they need when they need it, no matter where they are. This helps them accomplish more, both in the office and from remote.

Put simply, cloud solutions allow the members of a team to share resources and work on tasks together.  This saves time, improves access to data and information, and helps teams and their managers complete projects in a more organized way.

The Internet of Things is Changing the Way People Work

According to Wired Magazine, The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, could be the harbinger of a fourth industrial revolution. [cite] It has already started to make its way into our lives at home and work.  It also has the potential of completely changing the way we live.  IoT is basically a network of various devices that work together to streamline processes and give you access to important information more quickly.

It can be anything from smart concrete that reports its level of degradation and when it is likely to fail.  It can also be smart lights that report when they are on and how much electricity they are consuming to security cameras that monitor and report the movements and activities of employees 24/7.  The beauty of IoT is that these devices not only talk to you, but they also talk to each other.  While there are risks with these systems, they offer the potential to greatly increase work efficiency and project success.

IoT can help project managers stay connected so they can continually collect and share data.  It can also improve the way they communicate with their teams. Finally, it can be an important tool when it comes to making more accurate decisions that are driven by data.

Use Disruptive Technologies to Improve as a Project Manager

With the use of modern technology and advancements, project managers can take on new duties, and new titles, like never before. As mentioned above, when managers no longer must spend a lot of time on routine tasks, they can really home in on strategy, communication, and other higher-level skills and digital-age skills. These include security knowledge, data science and analytics, and legal knowledge, to name a few.

The bottom line is this: disruptive technologies can help managers collaborate more effectively.  Disruptive tech can also help come up with more creative ideas and make decisions that are influenced by data. If you want to advance your career and take on new responsibilities, using these technologies is an integral step.

Businesses Unwilling to Change Will Be Left Behind

Businesses, and project managers unwilling to embrace disruptive technologies are likely to be left behind. Learning to use disruptive technologies can help boost your odds of success.

Also, organizations that are willing to implement new tech into their workplace will be more inclined to hire project managers who are already well-versed in the latest innovations.  PMs can continuously improve their skills because they have the time to focus on strategies that meet goals and are not bogged down by mundane tasks better performed by one of these disruptive technologies.

Remember, just because you’re adding new tools doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your old tried-and-true methods. Disruptive technologies don’t need to be problematic as long as you can find ways to seamlessly integrate them with older technologies that are still worth using.

Evolve Your Career with the Help of Disruptive Technology

To embrace change and use disruptive technologies to your advantage, continuous learning is necessary. At RMC, we understand that you need to go beyond project management certifications if you want to keep improving as a project manager, so we offer a wide range of virtual courses on myriad topics for managers of all levels. Beyond that, we also offer corporate training to help organizations become even stronger. Contact us anytime to learn more!

Sources:

https://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/pmi-report-the-impact-of-disruptive-technologies-on-project-management/

https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse/benefits-disruptive-technologies-projects

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/business-reporter/harnessing-the-power-of-disruptive-technologies/

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5 Tips to Reduce PMP Exam Test-Taking Fear

Woman at computer studying for the PMP exam

Are you losing sleep worrying about taking the PMP exam? Is your mind flooded with all sorts of “what-ifs” related to possible exam catastrophes? Well, did you know that thoughts like these can hinder your exam performance and can cause you to waste exam prep time. Many of the fears you might be having are unrealistic and can be relieved through positive thinking and practicing your test-taking skills with an exam simulator. Consider these 5 tips to help alleviate your fear to achieve your goal of passing the exam.

1. Remember Your PMP Exam Test Taking Strategies

If you’ve used RMC exam prep products, or other study tools, you’ve developed test taking skills to boost your confidence. Focus on the test taking strategies you’ve learned, including:

  • Control the exam; do not let it control you.
  • Read the question and all four answer choices.
  • Watch for choices that are true statements but do not answer the question.
  • Be prepared for more than one “correct” answer, but there is only one “best” answer
  • Control frustration and maintain focus on each question.
  • Use the Mark for Review function on questions you struggle to answer. Return to marked questions later.

2. Keep a Positive Attitude

If you worry, you are spending time on the negative and will, in all likelihood, have a terrible experience. What can you do to change your view? Ask yourself what’s going on in your head? When taking practice exams, are you saying things to yourself like the phrases listed below?

  • I’m not fast enough
  • I will never get this
  • I will fail
  • Oh no, a formula question
  • I am sure I got that question wrong

Thoughts like these waste brain power and actually hurt you on the exam! Your strategy needs to include what you will do to stay positive before and during the exam.

Try using deep breathing techniques to help you relax and focus. Breathing techniques can be as simple as breathing deeply five times. If you have read a question more than three times, try taking a few deep breaths.

3. Dispel Common Unrealistic Fears

Your mind is a powerful tool. It can conjure up common fears or misconceptions that may not be realistic. For example:

  • Running out of time. Almost no one runs out of time. Practice your timing using PM FASTrack®.
  • Having test anxiety. Panic is a personal issue. If you think panic is a concern for you, make exam simulation core to your prep strategy. Practice taking exams in a situation similar to the actual testing environment.
  • Misunderstand PMI’s Perspective. Answer questions by applying good practices of project management from PMI’s perspective.  During the exam, rely on your exam prep training then your own project experience.
  • Remembering the formulas. Formulas may appear on the test. Thus far, test takers have not had to perform calculations during the exam.  However, you will need to know how to correctly identify key formulas.

4. Understand What to Expect

Though many fears you may have about taking the PMP exam are unrealistic, there are some things you should be prepared to expect. Doing so will also reduce your worry.

  • Follow your study plan. It is your road map and will serve you well.
  • Use exam simulation more than twice before taking the exam and achieve a score 75% or higher.
  • Use your project management knowledge — but be prepared to separate your experience from PMI’s perspective.
  • Understand your own test-taking tendencies. Pay attention to these during your prep class and practice tests.
  • Know what a project manager should do for each process. Practice Rita’s Process Chart game Track your score until you achieve 80% or higher.

5. Know Your PMP Exam Test Environment

You have the option to take your test online or in person. For in person testing, each center is different.  You will not have the exact same experience as someone else who has taken the exam before. Even in the same test center, you may experience differences. You need to eliminate as many distractions on the day of the test as possible. Read up on the test center process and their policies. PMI and your test center also have video tutorials that walk you through the experience. Consider some of these questions to reduce the unknowns about the test environment:

  • What can you bring into the test?
  • How many breaks do I get and what is the best way to use my breaks?
  • Where can I put my snacks so I can get to them when I need to?
  • What happens if the test crashes while I am taking it?”

Answers to these types of questions will give you a sense of control over the unknown. Know the process for signing in, taking the exam, and the post-test processes. Anything that might worry you, get the answers now.

For online testing, there can be a lot of technical elements to plan in advance to reduce stress and worry. Consider some of the following to set you mind at ease:

  • Make sure you are well versed in the rules of the online proctored format. Pearson Vue and PMI do a nice job provided the details of what to expect.
  • Find a quiet place away from the delivery people, pets and children. If you cannot be assured you will not be interrupted, consider scheduling a conference room at the office.
  • You will be asked to perform a system check. Try to do this beforehand so you don’t experience delays once the exam starts. This will also help you make sure your anti-virus and firewalls allow access.

Trust Your PMP Exam Testing Skills

Don’t underestimate the power of your test prep training. Studying and taking practice tests have honed your test-taking skills. You’ve tweaked your strategy until it works for you. Now you just need to follow it. Don’t do things differently when you sit for the real exam. Remember to bring a positive attitude

So, stop losing sleep and use these tips to help reduce or eliminate your worries about the exam. Good luck on your exam!  And remember if you have any questions, just contact us.  We’re here to help.