About the PMP ® Credential

Introduction to PMI

PMI stands for Project Management Institute and it’s website is www.pmi.org. It has over 650,000 Members and credential holders in more than 185 countries.The PMI is headquartered in Philadelphia, USA and was founded in 1969. It is the world’s leading not-for-profit membership association for the Project Management profession.

It advocates Best Practices in Project, Program & Portfolio Management.

The following are the PMI Credentials that the PMI offers:

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)®

3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)®

4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®

5. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®

6. PMI Professional in Business Analyst (PMP – PBA) ®

7. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®

8. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®

Why Become a PMI Member

When you become a PMI member, you'll gain access to knowledge, networks and resources that can help you to improve your work and advance your career in project management.

Membership means you'll be recognized as someone who is:

• Serious about professional and personal development

• Enthusiastic about good practices in project management

• Dedicated to practicing your profession in an ethical manner

All of these factors give you an edge in the job market and distinguish you to employers, colleagues and stakeholders.

You'll receive significant benefits offered only to PMI members—insightful publications such as PM Network®, exclusive online resources, and access to communities of like-minded peers. You will have opportunities to lead, to grow your technical and people skills, and to advance the profession locally and globally. You'll also save money. As a member, you receive discounts on the cost of credential exams, educational and networking events, and professional development courses. When you buy books, papers and other items at the PMI Marketplace, you'll receive special members' only pricing.

PMI has a lot to offer you at every stage of your career—whether you're just starting out, building upon years of experience, or advancing to high levels of responsibility and leadership. It is very advantageous to become a PMI member.

Purpose of Guide to PMBoK®

The PMI institute had many contributors to a book called the PMBoK Guide, which has recently updated to it’s 5th edition. PMBOK stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge.

The purpose of the PMBOK Guide is:

• The sum of knowledge within the profession of project management

• It includes widely applied practices and innovations

• It is constantly evolving. The 5th edition of the book was put out in 2013

The knowledge and practices discussed within the book are applicable to most projects, no matter what industry you are in

The PMBOK® Guide is used as a reference for professional development programs

If you look at the book, the structure of PMBOK® Guide is divided into the following sections:

Section I – The Project Management Framework

Section II – The Standard for Project Management of a Project

Section III – The Project Management Knowledge Areas

Why Become a Certified PMP®

The PMP certification is a widely recognized Project Management Certification. When you are PMP certified, you have worldwide recognition of your knowledge of Project Management. Obtaining the PMP certification demonstrates Proof of Professional Achievement.

When you are certified, you have a great understanding of the PMBoK’s knowledge areas and processes, thus improving the way you manage your Projects. Obtaining the PMP certification increases your Marketability when applying for a new project manager job. Certification also displays your willingness to pursue Growth.

Holding a PMP certification helps increases Customer Confidence that they are hiring and working with a professional who thoroughly knows and is experienced in the Project Management Profession.

The PMP certification is valued Globally across Industry Verticals & Companies like Pfizer, TCS, Infosys, Sun Microsystems, American Express, HSBC, Keane, Dell Perot Systems,ABB, Cap Gemini, Citigroup, SAP, CGI, Cisco Systems, Intel, Motorola, IBM, Hewlett Packard, EDS, GE, Siemens, Accenture, Ericsson, KPMG, Alcatel/Lucent.

Roadmap to Becoming a PMP®

Begin with taking this PMP course and/or attending one of our PMP workshops to better prepare for the exam. Go to the PMI website and register as a PMI member for all the above reasons.

You should get all your project management experience information together and submit the PMP exam application to PMI because without it and their approval, you cannot even schedule to sit for the PMP exam. Make sure to read carefully all the application requirements on the PMI website to verify you have all the qualifications for the PMP certification prior to applying.

Once you get the approval for your application, you should locate the nearest Prometric exam center and book the exam date.

Note that you will need to pay for the exam when you book it, so make sure you are available on that date!

PMP Exam Results

Upon passing the exam, you will be notified on the computer screen immediately and the Prometric location will print out the passing paperwork for you, along with the different sections of the test and how you performed (for example, Proficient, Very Proficient).

The testing center will submit your score to PMI that day and you will be notified by PMI via email that you have passed. PMI will mail you your certification to you at your home address.

Principles Of PMI

Although you should know in-depth all of the PMBOK Guide Knowledge areas and process groups, there are some overall principles of the PMI that you should be aware of as you study for your PMP credentials:

• A Project does NOT exist without a CHARTER

• The Project Scope includes all of the work and ONLY the work

• Activities are estimated by the Team

• Lessons learned are collected throughout the Project

• Establish the extent of completion if the Project is terminated prematurely

• Work Breakdown Structure is the basis for all planning activities

• Quality is not an afterthought….it should be BUILT-IN

• Project Management Plan drives how the Project work will be carried out

• Risks are identified throughout the Project

• Identify all Stakeholders to prevent Changes

• Use Historical Information for Planning

• Project Manager spends most of his/her time Communicating

• Save Scope, Schedule and Cost baselines for comparison

• Protect the Buyer and the Seller relationship to work as a Team

• Set-up formal Change Control System

• Prefer Preventive actions over Corrective actions

• Project Manager should preserve his integrity