Knowledge grows by sharing,
not by saving.

This is one of those wise thoughts that can easily be found on the Internet, but it is difficult to identify its original author. But regardless of that, its message is why I am writing this text. Both privately and professionally, I support the idea of information and knowledge sharing whenever it contributes positively to society. Sometimes this leads to an open conversation, sometimes towards finding a solution faster, sometimes towards cooperation, towards growth and development of individuals or systems, to some it will serve as an incentive or encouragement for the next step in life or work… there are many advantages to sharing knowledge.

The importance of tacit knowledge

One of the approaches to classifying knowledge is its division into explicit and tacit knowledge. The former refers to the formatted one, systematically organised, stored on some medium (book, documents, etc.). On the other hand, the latter is created primarily by gaining personal insights and experiences and is more difficult to format. Tacit knowledge is one of the critical factors of personal and organisational development.

By sharing experiences, we help each other

When I embark on something new or do it for the first time, I like to search through the available information about what awaits me along the way. I like to learn about the experiences of other people who walked that path before me. Likewise, I want to contribute in the same way to the (interested) community once I have acquired my own. By sharing experiences, others help us, and we help others.

Sharing information, knowledge, new insights, and experiences is also one of the key characteristics of successful projects, teams and organisations. Therefore, I am not surprised that it turned out to be one of the important topics in the PMP exam, which has appeared in several exam questions.

And that is why I decided to share my recent experience regarding the preparation and passing of the PMP exam. Most people get the jitters before an exam; some even experience real fear. This is natural. The information about other people’s experiences can help us better manage this emotion and the situation itself. Hence, if this text helps only one person while preparing for this exam – it will achieve its purpose.

What is the PMP certificate?!

PMP is an acronym of the title Project Management Professional, while PMP certificate is the highest global recognition, industry standard and a formal acknowledgement that a person can obtain regarding their experience, knowledge and abilities in project management. It is awarded by the American Project Management Institute (PMI) as the largest internationally recognised project management organisation, bringing together project managers from around the world. Once obtained, the certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue, and its renewal is subject to further training in this and related areas.

During my twenty years of work, I have rarely learned about professional certificates that would carry as much value and recognition in different industries as the PMP certificate has. Its value is indisputable; on the other hand, the need for it is subject to discussion. Everyone will assess for themselves whether and when they might need it. On the reason why I decided only recently (2022) to acquire it, although I have been practising project management for many years, I wrote in the previous blog post Love of project management.

How to acquire the certificate?

And so we come to the purpose of this text – how to obtain the PMP certificate?

The whole process consists of two parts. First comes the submission of the official application to PMI. You must demonstrate that you possess the minimum necessary years-long experience in project management and the required formal education in this field. Should you be granted access to the exam based on the submitted application, the second part is taking the PMP exam. It is a demanding exam, which lasts several hours and is taken in a strictly controlled environment.

In my opinion, this is a very positive side of the PMP certification – in addition to the knowledge to be demonstrated in the exam itself, it requires at least three years of experience in project management, thus preventing mere beginners in the field to apply.

On the downside, the thorough verification of applications (the audit process) does not cover all applicants but is carried out on a randomly selected sample. While heavily sanctioned if caught, this still allows some people to take the exam and acquire the certificate even if they don’t have sufficient practical experience (in Croatia, we call it APP, from Croatian wording for if it passes, it passes). I would say this in a way relativises the PMP certificate, but that is a topic for some other time.

What does the PMP exam look like?

Assuming that one has successfully passed the application procedure and thus was granted the approval to take the exam, then starts the period of one year in which the candidate can make an appointment and take the exam. In doing so, one has a right to three attempts in exam-taking. It should be borne in mind that the cost of taking the exam is not small ($ 555 for non-PMI members and slightly less for members; in the case of retaking it, the exam must be paid again, but at a lower price). Therefore, good preparation for taking the exam is undoubtedly desirable.

The focus and content of the PMP exam change every few years to align with the industry standards, novelties and trends. It last changed in 2021, and now, along with the traditional approach, it also seeks candidates to demonstrate knowledge of agile and hybrid approaches to project management, making the 2022 PMP exam highly complex and demanding.

In 2022, the candidate’s knowledge is assessed in three areas: People, Process, and Business Environment. The exam consists of 180 questions, with the time available to answer them totalling 230 minutes.

The test itself is carried out in the following format: (i) technical and other checks of the candidate before the exam and administration related to that, which lasts appx. 15 minutes; (ii) the first 60 questions – answering, final reviews, submitting answers; (iii) the first 10-minute break; (iv) the following 60 questions – answering, final reviews, submitting answers; (v) the second 10-minute break; the final 60 questions – answering, final reviews, submitting answers.

The whole procedure lasts four to four and a half hours in total, which in itself is exhaustive and very challenging, and requires preparation in terms of endurance, concentration, etc.

The result is received immediately after the exam has finished. But this exam is specific in that respect as well. Namely, you will not get a result in the form of total points. You will also not receive information on the number of questions successfully answered, nor will you be able to see which questions you answered correctly and which ones you answered incorrectly. Instead, each of the above mentioned three areas is evaluated with a descriptive assessment ranging from Needs improvement or Below Target (which both mean you failed that area) to Target and Above Target (which both mean you passed that area). Finally, the exam itself is rated with a unique Pass or Fail mark.

The exam questions are almost entirely scenario type questions, to which you answer by selecting one or more (where specifically indicated) correct answers. In other words, the question presents a hypothetical scenario, context or situation related to project management, and the answer is selected among four options offered. Over the years, I’ve gotten the impression that people think this is an easier type of exam because there are answers offered, but I wish to stress that this is by no means the case here. Just because the answers are offered doesn’t make it any easier.

To successfully answer the questions asked, it is necessary to know the matter very well. What a person might choose to do in practice is not necessarily the correct answer to the exam. Namely, to answer the questions correctly, it is necessary to possess both the extensive knowledge required and the mentality, i. e. a way of thinking and acting that PMI promotes. Ethics and righteousness, leadership skills and especially leadership by serving others (ref. Servant Leadership), solution orientation, information sharing, knowledge transfer are only part of it.

How much time to set aside for the exam preparation?

This is by no means an exam for which it is sufficient to know only notions and their meanings. Instead, this exam tests the fundamental understanding of the approaches to project management, concepts, processes, models, tools, documents, and others. It also tests the candidates’ focus, detail orientation, and overall congruence as a project manager.

The time required to prepare for the exam is really individual. I personally prepared it in a very short period of approximately two weeks (roughly 100 hours of preparation), but with the important note that I have been in this area for many years, and I naturally possess the mentality and way of conduct promoted by the PMI.

To anyone planning to take the PMP exam, I would suggest putting at least 80-100 hours of focused work into preparation for it. This, however, provided that you have several years of proper experience in project management and already know well at least the traditional project management methodology.

How to prepare well for the exam?!

As a real project manager and a future certified project manager, I would suggest that every candidate considers the exam-taking as a project whereby the ultimate goal is a successfully passed exam, and the PMP certificate is the value acquired in the process. If it is understood in this way, then all aspects of such a project will need to be considered, investigated, planned, and executed according to the objective pursued.

I also find it important to note that the PMBOK (versions 6 and 7) is not the only material to read for the PMP exam in 2022. The current exam places great attention on agile approaches to project management, so the PMI’s Agile Practice Guide became inevitable in preparing for the exam. Also, some good preparatory material can be found on the market and is of good quality, such as books, online content, and seminars, which will make the preparation process much easier.

However, regardless of how deep knowledge a candidate has, the best preparation (in addition to the above mentioned) will be obtained through simulated exams (ref. exams simulating the exam environment and questions). These exam simulators cost money but provide excellent preparation for the exam. Choose the one based on scenario type questions. In the few final days of your preparation, simulate the exam by answering 60 questions in one take, taking a 10-minute break, then answering the following 60 questions, taking a new 10-minute break, and answering the final 60 questions. This way, in addition to knowledge, you will also test your focus, concentration and endurance. When you systematically, through several simulated full-length exams, have a success rate of 80 percent or more, you will be more or less ready to take the actual PMP exam.

Also, although you do need to know the formulas by heart, primarily related to the Earned Value Management, which speaks of the project status/progress in terms of cost and time, it is not the point in memorising the formulas but in truly understanding what you calculate and express through them. It is almost impossible to successfully answer the questions that test this without it.

Be honest in your self-assessment and preparation, but at the same time, keep in mind that not knowing the answer to every single question in simulator exams does not mean that you are not ready.

In the end, the point of this whole complex matter and preparation is to understand in depth what is being learned because, as I stated, the current PMP exam tests knowledge through scenarios, not through concepts and their definitions. As long as you don’t understand some parts, you’re unlikely to pass the exam, much less successfully manage projects in reality.

To anyone who decides to take the PMP exam, I wish good preparation and success in that journey!

The certificate is not the only measure of quality

And finally, although the PMP certificate is a truly valuable recognition, I personally believe that it is not the only measure of quality and performance of project managers. In practice, I have often met HR managers who believe that only people who hold this certificate are competent enough to manage projects. I’m afraid I have to disagree with that. In my opinion, experience is what makes the difference because it is with it that we test what we know, and then we learn what we don’t know.

Therefore, I say to current and future project managers (who are not certified) to adopt, first of all, the mentality of project management and strive to gain diverse experience in this field. In this way, you will become real project management experts because “paper” itself should not be the goal.

And to HR managers and others who select personnel, I wish to say that they do not limit opportunities to find suitable candidates for a team or organisation by including PMP certificates on the list of conditions they must meet. This can potentially make you lose skilful talents for project management because a good project manager possesses several different skills, not just knowledge of project management methodologies.

If you need active support in evaluating candidates or any other type of support and advice related to projects and their management, regardless of your experience and expertise level, choose AMM CONSULTING – because the results are what counts!