Project

Jack,

I don't have a PMP. I've thought several times about getting one just to have it. But when I pick up a study guide at Borders and thumb through it, taking the self test, I don't get the answers right.
So my conclusion is I'll need to un-learn my 25 years of Program Management in order to pass the test. Maybe the study guide was poor (it did say PMI on the cover). But I think the truth is the test questions are to simple minded for my tastes. The answers are multiple choice when my answers are essays.
Just as well though since no one I work with in the world's second (or maybe third) largest aerospace firm has a PMP, nor cares to have one. We'd rather lauch on time/on budget.

I am inclined to agree with you as regards the shameless money grubbing that goes on in most all of these types of programs. One could say the same thing about costs and commercialism for all programs to some degree (oops, sorry)... including continous advertisements for colleges and universities.

I do want to prime you for your next PMI subject address, however, by discussing a few good things about the "certification programs". The certification shows that person started and completed something. This puts them a cut above a huge population of workers out there. In addition, it provides some badly needed standardization in the field of Project Management Methodologies. Anyone can call themselves a "Project Manager" and many do without understanding or having successfully implmented projects. Everyone thinks that they can be a project manager. Some are actually good, most just give us a bad name.

I rebelled against this commercialism by not paying to take a course or purchase of a "cheat sheet" and crowed about it in the "end-of-test" question that asked: "Where did you take your course?".

I think that the greatest contribution PMI has made is publishing the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). It is essential to have this sort of taxonomy so that people can know what the other person is talking about.

Certification is a different story though. I've run into many people with PMP after their names who really do not know what they are doing. It is clear that the certification process is not an effective screen. You are correct that it speaks about a person's motivation, but in a sense it indicates that they are motivated by the wrong things. Perhaps I'm being too much of a snob, but I think it is a negative indicator.

Jack:

I agree partly with your assessment of the PMP.

PMI is a self perpetuating body that also is enagged in advancing PM methodology / knowlegde.

I was a PM without a PMP and found myself shut out of some opportunities as some HR weenies hung onto the PMP in preference to my 10 years as a PM.

As a result of my frustration and my practicalilty. I bought the books, studied their lexicon, and passed with flying colors.

With minimal preparation, the true practitioner should pass the exam.

I am now a PMP because I needed to be labeled as such and paid the freight to get it done.

On a side note, I would rather have a real PM than someone who has never done it, but took a few courses and passed a test.

Best Regards,

Ron

I am searching for some pmp test sites which are good in Professional ethics and Risk Management. I saw a good site in PMquestionbank. Please send me the sites

Jack:
For the most part, you are right. PMI has PIMPED their trivia across the world. Job opportunities exist for PMP holders Internationally (do a PMP search on Dice.com). I am a Program Management consultant for 15+ years with fortune 100 companies under contract with the Federal Government. I retired in 2004 but have to have something to do until "big casino":o so I tried to get back in the swing of things. Nope, my consultant pals got the PMP so I had to do it too. I start back in DC in March on two big contracts.
You have to admire the PMI group for pimping their wares as successfully as they did. Part of their ploy was in fooling the HR wingnuts with their mountain of minutia (PMBOK). The wingnuts are unskilled and mostly inexperienced so the PMP is a good way to do their CYA.
So I took their silly test and am playing the "certification" game. You should too unless you are trying out for the Don Quixote role in this hypocracy we are playing.

G.

I work in government contracting and I'm studying for the PMP. The government loves PMP! PMI is not the only certification mill in town. It seems everybody is on the bandwagon and the wagon is full of cash. Used to be having a master degree in something met you were considered at least minimally qualified. I've noticed that everybody who gets the PMP places it after their name. Do they really think it is more important than having a good education and being able to think. When was the last time you placed BS or MS after your name. The only people who used to place letters after their name all had doctoral degrees. Now everyone with a CCNA, MCSE, CCISP, PMP, CAPM, or some other combination of letters feel required to place them after their name, like they mean something.

I do not agree with your assessment that the PMP certification is worthless. Having been involved in Project Management for over ten years, I found the information in the PMBOK guide very useful. Of course it is stuff we all are supposed to know and do, but now every process we go through has a name and can be communicated discretely. Preparing for the PMP exam and getting your certification isn't an easy process. Like the first commenter wrote, he has 25 years of project management experience and can't answer the study questions! What this indicates to me is that he doesn't know the common terminology we all should to be able to effectively communicate our profession to others, and to pass his 25 years of knowledge on to subordinates in the most efficient ways. Acquiring the PMP cert demonstrates an above board commitment to our profession. And PMI has done a good job, even if they have built an industry around themselves and profit from it. This is America, and that's what its all about. People trying to make the Project Management profession better is not a bad thing. I am glad I have gone through the process, and I am a better Project Manager because of it. I only wish it was mandatory within my company, and that upper management would commit itself to adhering to the principles and ideals of the PMBOK guide. There is nothing worse than crisis management, and that is what I have to deal with all too often. My bosses still seem to think the planning stage of a project is the least important part of project management.