PMI-PMP® EXAM CHANGES 2021 EXPLAINED IN 5 MINUTES

 

PMP® - Project Management professional, a globally recognized certification offered by PMI is expected to undergo a major change. We know that PMI’s announcement about the PMP exam change has created quite a stir and birthed a lot of questions, queries and curiosity in the minds of candidates preparing for the PMP® exam. 

 

In this blog post, we’ll quickly take you through the updates and changes ensuring all your doubts are cleared and questions are answered.

 

First things first, if you are someone who has already started preparing for the exam or planning to start, there are certain important things for you to know.

 

What to do if you have started preparing or currently planning to prepare for the PMI exam?

 

• Finalize the dates and schedule your exam at the soonest. It is advised to schedule the exam at least 3 months in advance.

Update - PMI has launched the online proctored testing (OPT) option for PMP exam candidates allowing them to take the PMP exam online from their homes during COVID-19 lockdown. 

• Apply for the exam and make the payment immediately. If you start filling out the form, PMI allows you 90 days to complete the application and submit it.
• From the date of application, you are allowed 1 year of time to schedule and take up the exam.
• In the case of the first failed attempt, one has to re-take the exam and the eligibility of the candidate to retake the exam expires within 1 year. It is advised to plan the exam schedule accordingly i.e. considering the possibilities of a re-exam.

 

Want to know more? Continue reading. We’ve included every detail that there is to know about the PMP exam change.

 

 

PMI COVID-19 Exam Update and Important Dates 

 

• PMP Certification Exam is changing on 2nd January 2021
• Earlier, PMI informed us that the new exam content will reflect starting on 1st July 2020 but PMI released a COVID-19 Update informing that due to COVID 19 situation, the new PMP exam change is postponed to 2nd January 2021. Candidate can apply for the current PMP exam with the existing syllabus and take up the PMP exam until 31st December 2020. 
• New Update from PMI - 31st December 2020 will be the last day to take the current version of the exam.
• In addition to this, PMI launched the online proctored testing (OPT) option. Candidates can now take the PMP exam online from the convenience of their home. You can schedule the PMP exam if you haven't already or reschedule the PMP exam you've applied for to take up the PMP exam online (current version) until 31st January 2020 and get certified.

 

 

Now, coming to the main topic, let us see

 

What is changing in the PMP® exam with the new PMI update and why is it changing?

 

It’s a well-known fact that PMP is the most popular and widely recognized certification in the field of project management. With the evolving market, the trends are changing and so are the requirements. To combat this situation and to keep up with the latest methods, project management professionals need to adopt new approaches, gain new skills and be more knowledgeable now more than ever.

 

Hence, this new change in the PMP exam is to ensure professionals gain the required knowledge and be able to adapt to the latest trends. This exam change focuses on three major domains—People, Process and Business Environment.

 

The idea is to ensure the following skills are imbibed in the project management professionals.

 

• Great leadership skills to effectively manage, improve and lead the team
• Proficiency in technical aspects of the project management
• Alignment with the project goals and driving expected results

 

The new changes in the exam will include the below approaches,

 

Predictive (approximately 50%)

Agile/hybrid (approximately 50%)

 

This is to ensure the existing domains are more in sync with the real-life practices in project management. 

 

NEW PMP EXAM CONTENT OUTLINE:

Below are the various domains and proportion of questions expected from each domain,

Domains and % of questions:

1. People - 42%

2. Process - 50%

3. Business Environment - 8%

Total = 100%

 

How to prepare for the new PMP exam change?

 

Along with the announcement made about the new PMP® exam change, PMI has also released the new syllabus update. Yes, the change in the exam has also caused a change in the syllabus. It was to ensure that the exam content is in alignment with the syllabus. The updated exam content outline was released last year i.e. in June 2019. You can download the new updated PMP syllabus using the link below.

 

Download PMP Exam Content Online

 

Go through the PDF to understand the framework and know what you can expect in the PMP® Exam.

With the new changes in syllabus and exam, preparing for the exam can be a little difficult. Taking up PMP training from a recognized training provider will really help you pass the exam in just one go. We at Sprintzeal have trained over 100,000+ professionals. With the guidance of our industry expert trainer, you can surely finish learning the syllabus, take up the exam and get certified before the change comes in effect. You can take up the training in three modes – classroom training, live online training, and online training.

 

If you are looking for PMP® classroom training in your city, check out our schedules and batches to find the one nearest to you. You can choose to get training on weekdays or weekends, based on your convenience.

 

Should you take up the PMP® certification training?

 

Yes. To avoid hassle and failing in the exam, it is advised to take up PMP® training. Mind you, it is effective only when you get trained from a recognized training provider. Talking of which, we are a R.E.P of PMI. This means we are a Recognized Education Provider of PMI offering the PMP® certification training to professionals all across the globe.

 

Now, you must consider taking up PMP® training from Sprintzeal

• If you are a working professional with hectic work-life aiming to get certified at the earliest
• If you have applied for the exam and the application is expiring soon
• If you are taking a re-exam and looking to clear the exam this time
• If you need PDUs. Did you know a candidate must have 35 PDUs to apply for the exam? Get 35 Contact Hours training certificate from Sprintzeal (REP ID - 4719) to apply for PMI Exam.
• If you are aiming for a promotion and need a certification to add efficacy to your proposal
• If you are making a huge career change and want to get certified for better career scope and hike in salary

All in all, if you are really keen on getting PMP® certified regardless of when, how and why, you should go for it and start reaping its benefits. Our training program comes with

Get full details of our instructor-led PMP® training, and you can even request a call from our experts to help you with your concerns and queries. Continue Reading

HOW TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE PROJECT PLAN

 

TIPS TO SUCCESSFULLY CREATE A PROJECT PLAN

Any production process requires the company to have a project plan. It ensures that the teams involved have some idea about what they are working on. Setting clear goals helps the teams to focus on the critical issues that exist in the project itself. This is why managers spend a generous amount of time into making the right project plan. It just so happens that not every person can make the right routine. In order to make efficient schedules, firms require qualified people who have the knowledge essential for the job. PMPs and CAPMs are great candidates who fill up these important job positions. They utilize their wisdom to make the right plan for producing the deliverable.

RELEVANCE OF PROJECTS AND PROJECT PLANS

Companies need to conduct projects to make products for their clients. Therefore, to ensure that the quality of the products is good enough, the projects have to work in an orderly manner. Project plans and routines go a long way in executing all the important processes without any problem. Managers need to finish the projects within a certain time limit. They also need to report the progress of the project to the employers. This is only possible if the teams are working with a certain goal and idea in mind. Hence, project plans are very crucial to closing the project on time. The products are very precious to the customers.

HOW DO COMPANIES EXECUTE GOOD PROJECT PLANS?

Companies usually recruit project managers who have the skills to improve efficiency. PMPs and CAPMs know various methodologies, such as Lean and Six Sigma. Therefore, they are able to plan perfectly about the future of any project lifecycle. In addition, these employees also employ wastage reduction actions such as Scrum and Agile in order to get the optimal results from all the firm's inputs. All of this helps the firm to design the best possible project plan for their teams. This adds the most value to a company's profits. The execution also depends on how well each team involved performs and the employer's interest in the progress.

TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A GREAT PROJECT PLAN

It is no secret that certified project managers are the best at the job when it comes to designing the perfect project plan. However, if firms want to get the best performance out of their employees, they have to keep certain points in mind.

1.     Understanding the Employer's Needs

Every company has different philosophies with which their employees work. Stakeholders govern the ideals and ethics of the company. They play an important role in how their products turn out. Project managers concern themselves with such goals. They embed these ideas into the project plan. Once the employer's wants are clear to the project manager, the quality of the project plan improves multifold. Although it doesn't directly improve the efficiency of the project, it influences the quality of the product. It helps in making the product design in a certain way that best signifies what the company stands for.

2.     Managing a Team

Project managers need to decide which teams should be involved in a certain project. It highly depends on the expertise of the teams. Once the teams are decided, project managers should make sure they understand their relevant domains. This keeps track of the inputs required, the processes used, and the outputs provided by each team. These facts are then integrated into a project plan to understand where the employees need to stress. It helps pick the critical parts of the production process.

3.     Setting Goals

Each project has certain goals to cover. These mark important successes and the end of different phases in the project. Project managers need to identify these goals and make it obvious in the project plan. Team members take note of them and work harder to reach these goals within the assigned time. Employers also notice them in order to see how fast a project is moving forward and how much of the project plan has been completed. It does not leave any room for the omission of tasks. The risk of rogue tasks is also reduced.

4.     Defining the Product

Project teams should have a clear picture of the product in their mind before executing the plan. This is because projects need to understand the resources they require beforehand. A proper design helps teams offer their services in the best possible manner to make the product. Without a rough design, it becomes harder to understand what the product's purpose is. This not only hampers the quality but also affects customer satisfaction. Every product should have some uses. It should deliver on its promises. Otherwise, it becomes hard for the management to sell it.

5.     Scheduling the Project

Making the perfect schedule is also an important part of planning a project. It means the manager has to understand the pace of every department. Some teams need adequate time to efficiently carry out their tasks. Similarly, easier steps should be given less time so that there are no unnecessary activities. Project managers should consult all teams to understand their expertise, their specific tasks, and refer to the plan. In the end, without any schedule, it is impossible to finish the project within the specified deadline.

6.     Handling the Resources

If the inputs are not taken care of, the project is bound to fail. Managing resources not only involves transporting them to the teams that require them but also paying attention to their costs. A costly input will weigh a lot more on the team budget. Therefore, project leaders should be aware of what the prices are in the market. They should analyze all the changes and make the best possible choice for the purchase. Adequate sharing of the resources to the teams is also essential. Shortage costs much more since it takes time to get more inputs and looking for substitutes.

7.     Risk Assessment

All projects have a certain risk factor for them. Project managers should be vigilant about these threats because they can deeply affect progress. Risk analysts should be employed to go through the project plan and procedures used by teams. Their reports help the employees cover all the loopholes in their strategy. It also allows the managers to inform the stakeholders about where the project requires additional investment. Risk analysis can also point to faulty mechanisms, inputs, and tools. Firms can then make the necessary changes and avoid all kinds of failure.

8.     Problem Handling

Having detected all the risks involved in a project plan, it is time to eliminate them. Project managers should employ personnel who have the skills to take care of the issues. They can also take action on their own after proper consultation with analysts and their employers. Budget issues should be audited and accounted for.Relevant agencies take care of the transportation problems. Resource management anomalies should be referred to as project managers and team leaders. Accountability is the key to mitigating problems that hamper the progress of the project plan.

9.     Presentation

Presentations are important because they help the firm's stakeholders see how the project is progressing. Specifically, they help to keep a visual track of how the project plan is being implemented. Therefore, management spends a significant amount of time into making easily comprehensible presentations for employers. Charts and graphs are able to convey long sheets of information much quicker, and employees should make use of these tools to improve their reporting skills. This stands true for project managers as well. In fact, many variables such as project progress, cost efficiency, and lifecycle risk factors are best conveyed through a presentation.

10.  Feedback

Opinion matters a lot when it comes to executing a project plan. Since a project is not something that is done by a single person. Many people come together to aggregate inputs and make something practical out of them. Hence, it makes sense that the thoughts of all these people are taken into account. Every successful project manager should talk to their colleagues about their needs, ideas, and future plans for the project. They should also consider customer complaints and recommendations to improve the final deliverable. Product surveys go a long way in achieving this step.

The value of the project is known by how happy a customer is by using it. It needs to have some applicability and some compatibility with the problem they are facing. The project plans to take care of this specific problem by understanding what the client wants and needs. The clarity in these goals helps the company make the perfect product design. However, after completion of the project, it is entirely up to the user about how they use it and review it.

All the steps mentioned above contribute to perfecting the art of designing an exceptional project plan. Even though most project managers understand the importance of a good plan, most of them do not know how to go about making one. It is essential to note these points so that a project can be successful in delivering on the expectations of the customer.

If you are planning to handle large scale projects or working in project management, or leading a project team, we have a piece of valuable advice for you.

 

Get certified to enhance your project management knowledge and credibility.

 

Take up the PMP Certification Training and get certified by PMI - Project Management Institute. It is a globally recognized certification that'll drastically bring great changes in your project management career.

 

Get PMP Certification Training - Online, Live Online and Classroom Training 

Continue Reading..

PMP OR PMI ACP – WHICH CERTIFICATION SHOULD YOU GET?

 

Which is better PMP or PMI ACP?

Project management jobs are becoming increasingly popular. The reason for the popularity of management jobs is the stability they provide. As markets are becoming volatile and jobs are becoming unstable, everyone is trying to find a safe and secure job.

There are many reasons to go for a project management job. The main reason is that it will help you find a job in any type of industry. You can go for finance, marketing, or food. The options are plenty when it comes to project management jobs.

How to get a project management job?

The best way is to get a certification. A project management certification will help you learn the basics of project management and apply them in your real life. It will also add value to your resume and help you during interviews.

Project management certificates

There are many project management certificates. However, you need to understand that all certificates are not the same. There are some certifications that will help you find a suitable job. On the other hand, other certifications are a waste of time and money.

How to decide which certification is best for you? There are many ways to determine that. You need to understand your requirements first. In essence, you have to make a list of the jobs you want. After making a list, find out the qualities that you need to get the job. It will help you find out what type of certification will help you the most.

Which is a good project management certification?

There are many certifications but PMP and the PMI ACP are the best among them. They are the oldest certifications, therefore you can trust them. As job security is unstable these days, you need something that will give you stability. Project management jobs provide both stability and security.

When you consider other options, you will find that project management jobs are secure and stable. It is because there are no limitations to it. Every organization needs a project manager. It is an essential part of every company. So, as a project manager you will be able to find a high-paying job wherever you want.

PMP or PMI ACP, which one should you choose?

Both PMP and PMI ACP are worthy project management certifications. However, you need to choose between the two. Although both of them are equally good, there are a few differences. You need to understand the differences between PMP and PMI ACP to make a decision.

Also, it will help if you make a list of your requirements. If you go through what you want from a certification, you will have a clear idea. As both PMP and PMI ACP are efficient certifications, it becomes difficult to make a choice.

But, with the right guide you can easily choose between the two. Here is a complete guide that will help you find out which certification will be best for you.

• Future prospects

It is very essential to have career plans. In essence, you need to plan what you want to do for a job. It will give you a clear idea of what you need to do. Choosing a certification becomes easy after deciding a career goal. The PMP certification will help you become a project manager. Although it is a good certification, it will not teach you agile concepts. To learn agile principles, you need the PMI ACP certification.

However, you don’t have to stress a lot about future prospect. Even if you choose PMP, you can always learn agile process later. Also, if you choose PMI ACP, you can come back to PMP.

• Present needs of the company

Everyone has a dream company that they want to work for. If you have such a company in mind, it will make the process easy for you. List the requirements of the job position. Mark the skills that you need to have. Your next step is to check whether a certification will help you learn those skills. If the job asks for project managers, you need to go for PMP. However, if there are no specifications, you can go for PMI ACP.

Agile principles are new. So, if you want to learn the latest principles, you should go for PMI ACP. In the end, you can always learn new things even if you don’t require them at work.

• Broadening your knowledge

The basic principles of both the certifications vary a lot. PMP will teach you traditional project management. However, PMI ACP will teach you agile practices. Both are very different from one another. So, you need to be careful while choosing as it will affect your career. If you want to learn the basics of project management, you should choose the PMP certifications.

You need to understand that PMI ACP is also a part of PMP. In essence, learning PMP principles will also give you basic knowledge about agile practices.

• Thought process

Your thought process is essential while you work. As both the certifications have different thought processes, they will directly affect your work. PMP helps you learn the waterfall method. As a result, you will focus on the final product of the project. On the other hand, PMI ACP helps you learn agile principles. As a result, you will be more flexible.

The thought process mainly depends on the job requirement. If your job requires you to be flexible and adapt to changes, you need to choose PMI ACP.

• Market and customer requirements

Both market and customer requirements are essential for any job. You need to understand the market requirements of your product or service. If you have a stable market condition, PMP will be beneficial for you. Also, if you can easily define customer requirements, you need to choose PMP. However, if your market conditions are volatile, PMI ACP will help you.

Market conditions often change. So, if you want to target the market, then PMI ACP will be the best option for you.

 

You will receive both PMP and PMI ACP certification from PMI – Project Management Institute, the governing body.

 

Get PMP Certification Training - Online, Live Online and Classroom Training

 

Get PMI ACP Certification Training - Online, Live Online and Classroom Training 

 

 

Prerequisites for the exams

You need to keep the prerequisites in mind while applying for any certification. There are different prerequisites for different exams. For the PMP exam you need to have 4,500 hours of experience in project management. Along with that, you also need to have a four-year degree in any commerce branch.

On the other hand, the prerequisites for PMI ACP are more complex. You need to have 2000 hours of experience in general project management. Apart from that, you also require 1,500 hours as an agile project manager. As agile is more complex than traditional waterfall method, you need to have more experience for it.

Therefore, we can say that PMI ACP is for those who have previous experience. On the other hand, PMP is for people who are new to project management. However, you can also gain experience by doing more projects.

Exam pattern of PMP and PMI ACP

The PMP exam is a CBT. It has 200 questions that you need to solve within 3 hours. Although it seems easy, the questions are complex. You need a minimum percentage of 75% to pass the exam. If you pass the exam, you will get the PMP certification. However, if you fail to score 75%, you can appear for the exam again.

PMI ACP has a different exam pattern. There are 120 questions in the exam and you need to answer them within 3 hours. All the questions require great effort for solving. Therefore, you need to practice well before the exam. The passing percentage for the exam is 70%. In essence, you need to score 70% to pass the exam.

Financial structure

The fees of both the exam vary. For PMI members, the cost of PMP exam is $405. However, for non-PMI members, the cost is $555. The difference is significant. Therefore, it would be valuable to join the Project Management Institute.

Apart from that, there are re-examination fees also. For PMI members, the re-examination fees are $275. But, for the non-PMI members the re-examination fees are $375.

On the other hand, the PMI ACP exam will cost you $435 if you are a member of the PMI. If you are not a PMI member, you need to pay $495 for the exam. Also, the pen-and-paper exam fee is different. For written exam, you need to pay $385 if you are a member of PMI. If you are a non-member, then you need to pay $445.

Therefore, it is advisable to join the project management institute. Overall, joining PMI will help you save a lot of money. It will also give you access to study materials.

In conclusion, both PMP and PMI ACP are good certifications. No matter what you choose, you will be able to find a stable job in large corporations. In the end, your dedication toward the job matters the most.

To get full details about the PMP or PMI ACP certification program or about other project management certifications, Continue Reading