Note: Taken from the book 'God, The Best Friend & Guide: A Monk's Journey into the Corporate World'
As long as I live, so long do I learn - Ramakrishna Paramhansa
When thought of preparing for PMP, I started collaborating with those who have already cleared PMP and started collecting information about the preparation, books, exam as much as possible. I was ashamed of myself that I did not take this step for clearing the PMP exam earlier but there is a saying that everything happens on its own time. On enquiring, I came to know that a lot of private institutes promised to guide and help in clearing the certification 30 to 60 days which is considered to be one of the toughest certification examinations. After a lot of self-thought, I decided not to rush and go for those promises rather to take the path to enjoy the journey of studying the subject in depth and enhancing the knowledge and then go for the examination. I decided that I would take 3 to 4 months of time for preparation and then go for the exam.
I noticed a surprising fact during this time of preparation. Couple of PMP certified friends helped me with tips and information. There were few who used to talk negatively about PMI and PMP. And I noticed they never took the path of knowing or clearing PMP but were talking negative about it. I decided to ignore them and move towards my goal.
I planned my preparation to go for the certification. Being a PMI member, I downloaded PMBOK from the PMI portal. I took reference from other 2 famous books by Rita Mulcahy and Andy Crowe. The name of the book by Rita was ‘PMP Exam Prep’ and the book by Andy was ‘The PMP Exam: How to pass on your first try’. Though PMBOK was dry, someone advised me to read the book three times to grasp it better. I kept that advice in mind and started with PMBOK.
My strategy was to read one chapter from PMBOK and then read the same or similar chapter from Rita Mulcahy and then Andy Crowe.
The very first line in her book, Rita writes that preparing to take the PMP exam is a journey. She also mentioned that the opportunity to learn something new in the domain should be one of the best reasons to get PMP certification. While Rita’s book was in depth and detail, Andy made the subject very easy to understand.
Another tip I took from some source that while one gets consistently above 80% from all mock PMP tests, one should understand that he/she was ready for the final test else not. One should keep reading and correcting courses till then.
I took a simple strategy of iteration.
Read PMBOK → Read Rita Mulcahy → Read Andy Crowe → Take test from Rita/Andy Book → Check Correctness → Repeat above cycle.
Taking important notes was one of the best things to do.
Most importantly, the overall learning process was so overwhelmingly enriching that a person who has taken the journey can only explain. The more I was reading, I was getting amazed.
Project Management Framework, Organization matrix and how it impacts projects, Project Process Groups, Knowledge areas, Work Breakdown structure, Earn Value, ITTOs, ethical code of conduct - WOW!
Most importantly these solidified knowledges have come down to the present form from the experiences of all industry experts and PMBOK is treated as a guideline for better delivery of projects in ethical means, not a regulation.
Surprisingly, most of the time in organizations these are not taught or followed but best outcomes are expected from candidates. While reading PMBOK and Rita Mulcahy, it appeared to me that PMI was making an attempt to sail against the wave of how industry runs projects.
When profit becomes the sole purpose of business, often we leave behind the human side of running a business.
After 4 months of rigorous preparation, I got ready for the D day. Meantime, I have submitted the application to PMI. Preparation of application for PMP itself was a difficult task and learning by itself. Post approval of application, I booked a date with one of the Prometric centers in Hyderabad. During my preparation for the exam, I always said to myself that I would like to pass the exam in one shot, there was no second chance. I did my best for the preparation but still there was a stint of fear of what would happen. I stopped all study a day before and started relaxing myself. On the D day, I took a bath, had a good breakfast and left for the Prometric center on my pulsar bike. I still remember, I repeated the Gayatri mantra and Mrityunjaya mantra throughout my way to the Prometric center and expected the best result for me.
The security at the Prometric center was very strict and as per PMI guidelines. I was given a desktop machine at a remote corner of the room. I had a good plan on how to answer 200 questions in 4 hours and thought of taking a small break after 2 hours. But my plan was blown away when questions started popping onto the screen. I could not take a break as I was going a little slow with answering. Within 4 hours, I could complete answering all 200 and then finally clicked the ‘Submit’ button. Normally results get displayed on the screen post submission, I was holding my breath anticipating what I would see on the screen - PASS or FAIL. As if time stopped. I was gazing at the screen. What appeared on screen seconds later, gave me immense pleasure in life. A sense of accomplishment filled the heart with joy. I was aspiring for so many years to have these 3 letters - PMP - beside my signature and it became true that day. The dream came true. I was one of the proud PMP certification holders.
In last few years, PMBOK version has got changed. Those who are interested in the certification should get ready as per new guidelines and new version.
Book link:
Site Link: Published Books | IJayInspire |Jaydip Das
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