1. Read the PMBoK 4th edition two to three times before taking the exam. In that once use mind mapping to take notes. On scope, quality and procurement knowledge areas, there will be some questions straight from inputs / tools and techniques / output; In risk management the order of events (the process flow) is important; etc. So reading PMBoK is crucial. If you can get someone to explain PMBoK concepts, from begin to end, with illustrations, you should grab that opportunity. Technical documents can be boring to read by yourselves.
I see that many of my friends let the PMP credential expire because they find accruing PDUs difficult. Actually it is very easy. You can get 15 PDU for just being in project management profession; Another 15 for self directed learning; You can get 10 PDUs for speaking or writing on project management; More PDUs for attending training programs on project management etc. So 60 PDUs in 3 years is quite easy if you just want to do it.
I bought the Mblaze mobile broadband device to stay connected when I am in the PMP boot camp. I am quite happy with the product.
> I bought it in Tata Croma. It was a delightful experience.
> The entry price is affordable. (I bought it for Rs.2300/- It has come down to Rs.2000/now – and is available for even Rs.1500/- in some shops)
> The setup and user interface is very simple. Just plug, install and play.
The scene from Ramayana:
The July month PMP boot camp went well with 15 project managers from iSoft, HOV, Zenta, CSC, TCS, Ford and iNautix joining us at Raj Palace Sundar on 10th 11th 17th and 18th of July. The unique thing about this team was that all of them were from IT companies and all of them could speak Tamizh. (Are you asking if we gave all examples, from IT in tamizh? not exactly.)
Umasree continues from where she left in the last post…
It is not just PMP and beyond…it is Project Management and beyond… that is what makes Project Managers successful business managers and people leaders.
I have 10 principles that I would follow as a Project Manager and most of the PM’s would find themselves aligned to these 10 principles in one way or the other.
Both my parents worked in government sector and I was so used to hearing them saying that their managers control their work lives to a great extent. Even after 3 decades and now that the private sector is cherished with a greater Corporate Culture, lot of things changed except the fact that even today, mostly our managers control our work lives. The kind of infrastructure where we work ( compared to good old depleted government buildings Vs Lead Skyscraper buildings), Posh office furniture ( Rolling cushion chairs compared to Wooden seats with cotton cushions not changed for decades), well maintained housekeeping ( compared to dirty toilets and rusty ceiling fans filled with dust over years with now High class wash rooms with deos and perfumes, handwash and towels), Fringe benefits (Compared to Rs 1 or 2 tea wala refreshments to Vending machines in office/ Microwaves and in-house Kitchens and 24 hours food malls in the office building)… the list goes on and on in the comfort zone. Yet, today’s employee is a very stressed out and unsatisfied project team member. Why is it so?
In organizing the PMP boot camps in the past few months, I found that what the customers really relish is the focus on their needs with an attitude of gratitude. Even if there are minor issues in terms of the actual service, they are OK with an apology and course correction.
Now I am teaching for PMP, I saw a major difference between PMBOK 3rd and 4th edition. In scope, risk, cost, communication and in all 6 processes of project integration area they have added “expert judgment” as a technique. They have also given guidance on who are the typical experts to help with that process. I think it is a very useful update.
Right from the day I founded “Management Scholars Academy” I was sure that I can reach my customers by focusing all my campaign online. In the last six months I did a lot of work (I can’t tell you all the trade secrets) and the results are quite satisfying. Thought of sharing with you the visitor statistics and seek advise from techies here to take it to the next level. (The summary is June visitors count. The graph shows the trend. Three more days left in June. I am hoping the June numbers will take over the May numbers) Click on pictures for larger view.
The June month PMP boot camp was conducted successfully on June 12,13,19 and 20th. The feedback from the participants was very positive.
The response for the July month boot camp is very encouraging. In addition, we are getting inquiries for Agile project management / MS Project / Risk Management workshop etc. We are sure that we can offer good value through more and more project management training programs.
Hi friends,
We spend considerable time and effort in keeping this blog active, interesting and useful to budding PMs like you. We have great plans for the blog in future also. If you subscribe to this blog with your email, you will keep getting newer articles published here, in your mail box. We encourage you to join and participate. To bring you up to speed, if you subscribe to the blog, we will send you a free eBbook that contains 30 of the most popular posts from this blog (with images, links and PPTs. Just that it is more convenient to read all in one place.)
I got good motivation from Mr.Ganapathy for writing blogs, and also on this topic ‘creative problem solving’ people like Hari, Sadha and Israth made some good comments that encourages me to write more. Thanks every one.
There are lots of theories and principles about creative problem solving. One and famous among them is TRIZ. TRIZ is acronym of Teoriya Resheniya Izobreatatelskikh Zadatch.It was developed by a Soviet engineer and researcher Genrich Altshuller and his colleagues began in1946. It has been evolving ever since.
