Eight Steps to becoming a PgMP®

If you have made up your mind take PMI’s Program Management (PgMP®) Accreditation , how should you go about it? Here I put forth some pointers based on my experience.

1. Go through the certification handbook. Get to grips with what is required and what you need to do. This is available on the PMI® website.
2. Ascertain your eligibility: Go through the PgMP® eligibility criteria in the handbook. The experience requirements call for 4 years of project and 4 years of program management experience. If you do apply and have your application rejected, be aware that you will lose 50% of the application fee.
3. Join PMI® (www.pmi.org) and  download the Program Management standard and read through it quickly to get an idea of how PMI® positions Program Management. I will guarantee that it will be very different to how you may see Program Management been practiced. Go to the appendix and look at the long list of artefacts used on a program. Take note of the terminology.
4. Start building your application. Choose programs that have had a strategic value to the organisation you worked in. There are three key points you will have to discuss: -
• what the program delivered
• how the program was delivered
• examples of the program processes / procedures
5. Once your application is ready, get a current PgMP® to review and comments on the application. This is a crucial step for success.
6. Post application review, you will receive instructions about audit requirements. The application will undergo a panel review and this is where your application will be fully scrutinized with respect to the application of program management.
7. Once the application is successful, start to think about the exam. Schedule a date and begin the study process.
• Read the Program Management Standard fully
• Go through the PgMP® Exam Specification document. It gives lot of information about the exam and topics that you need to study. Make sure you are at least familiar with all those topics.
• Look for other practice exams, reference material and possibly PgMP® Preparation courses. 
• Don't be afraid to practice the same question because there is a lot to be got from understand why you may be getting questions wrong
• Contact admin@turlon.com for a free sample of PgMP® questions
8. Go do the exam and be a success

Turlon & Associates will be hosting PgMP Exam Preparation Courses for those wishing to take the PgMP® Exam 

The Power of Relationship Building – To do or Not to do

Project management is a powerful tool and a powerful discipline but is it powerful enough to achieve the perfect relationship. To achieve anything we have to work closely with others to build a pathway for success. Creating success is about continually maintaining our relationships and this is not just having a list of people in your phone list or contacts file nor a meeting roster to follow … simply put, relationship building is about forgetting the world of technology and focus on the people themselves

You may have some doubts about the level of investment in developing personal relationships, but genuine contact with people can help make your career, project or business a success. Some of us may say … surely the technology, the tools, the disciplines we invest in will develop and manage the relationship … to a certain extent this is true, but will it foster and cultivate the relationships we have? Personally, I am not too sure but here are some tips to cultivate those relationships: -

1. Sharing advice. If you’re feeling lost or confused, turn to the people around you with experience or expertise in an area can give you a few pointers. Do be afraid to ask for help or reach out irrespective of the level of seniority
2. Investing and lending opportunities. You may find that it’s almost impossible to get ahead in a particular area. However, if you have built great rapport with others, they may help lend you the advice you need. In turn don’t be afraid to reach out to those you think that may need the same help
3. Your relationships create new relationships. If you work closely with someone who you’ve impressed, you may get introduced to someone else who will play an important and influential role in your life. Likewise, do the same in return, introduce people and make connection
4. Business / project relationships can turn into good friendships. Whether at work or outside work, days are better when you’re interacting with people who you enjoy spending time with. Sometimes you will just need a buddy to go share a drink with after a hard day or blow off some steam. Why not approach each and every person, including your colleagues, as potential long-term friends?
5. Listen to those around you. It is not always what you say that is worthwhile, sometimes it is ability to listen to a person and not cast a judgement. Take the time to acknowledge that the person requires some space and time to blow off a bit of steam. 

It is often said that relationship building cannot be taught and some people are naturals and some people need to work on it. Irrespective, the more time spent doing it, the bigger the dividend.

The PMP Exam is Changing on Jan 2016 ... what does it mean to the Exam

This is a quick and concise summary of the PMP changes that are due to take effect from Jan 11th 2015

Background .... a recently completed Role Delineation Study (RDS) provided an updated description of the project management professional role. Research included a large-scale survey of global Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification holders to validate updates to domains, tasks, knowledge, and skills. The RDS captures perspectives of project management practitioners from all industries, work settings, and regions. It serves as the foundation for the PMP exam and ensures its validity and relevance.

Changes ... the following areas are added to and updated across all the domain areas of the standard ... to look more closely at these areas browse the PMI website: - 

• Identify key deliverables based on the business requirements in order to manage customer expectations and direct the achievement of project goals.
• Conduct benefit analysis with relevant stakeholders to validate project alignment with organizational strategy and expected business value.
• Inform stakeholders of the approved project charter to ensure common understanding of the key deliverables, milestones, and their roles and responsibilities.
• Develop the stakeholder management plan by analyzing needs, interests, and potential impact in order to effectively manage stakeholders' expectations and engage them in project decisions.
• Manage the flow of information by following the communications plan in order to keep stakeholders engaged and informed.
• Maintain stakeholder relationships by following the stakeholder management plan in order to receive continued support and manage expectations.
• Capture, analyze, and manage lessons learned, using lessons learned management techniques in order to enable continuous improvement.
• Monitor procurement activities according to the procurement plan in order to verify compliance with project objectives

What does this mean for the exam and those preparing for the exam:

• There should be a stronger focus on developing the project business case – this focuses on specifically point 1 and point 2 above 
• There is a focus on the Tool and Techniques for Lesson Learnt – this focuses specifically on point 7 above.  
• The responsibilities and engagement of stakeholders is always relevant for the exam and this will continue on

Turlon & Associates will be hosting the next PMP Exam Preparation Course for those wishing to take the exam prior to November 1st and for those after November 1st