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Reporting PDUs PDF Print E-mail

 

We are frequently asked how to report PDUs for our events.

  1. Go to pmi.org and then login. We've found that if you don't login you'll never be able to get to step 2!
  2. From the Certifications menu in the horizontal menu bar select the submenu called "Maintain your certification: Earn and report PDUs" (yes, we agree that this is a lengthy label for a menu option!)
  3. On the resulting page you will see a blue button with the label "Report PDUs". Press it!
  4. You'll now be at the Continuing Certification System Requirements page (no, we're not quite where we need to be yet - let's press on!). Under the heading "PDU Activity as of mm/dd/yyy" you'll see a link in blue text for "Report PDU". Press it.
  5. Yipee! We can now start to report the PDU. You should at this point see a prompt for "PDU category". Select "Category A, Registered Education Provider Program" from the pull-down list and then for Activity Type: "Find an Activity (course or event)". Then (important!) press NEXT (not 'search' though it may be tempting). See the diagrams below.
  6. For the next page and Step 2, you'll see a number of text fields relative to the provider that it wants you to fill out. You really only need to enter the Provider ID which is 3196 and then hit the Search button.
  7. The resulting page will list all of our events. At this point you'll only need to select one in order to get to Step 3. To select you'll click on the code for the event which is a link.
  8. Fill in the info on the next page according to the data on your completion certificate (date) as well as your rating of the event (which we hope was excellent!).
  9. Step 5 is the last step and that is to simply check that the info is accurate. Once you submit the PDU you'll be notified via email once it's approved.
  10. Phew!

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PMP FAQ PDF Print E-mail

We are often asked the following questions on what is needed to qualify, prepare for, and pass the PMP®1 certification exam. If you still have questions, please give us a call or send us an email and we'd be happy to speak with you!

Should I take the PMP® or the CAPM® exam?

In order to qualify for the PMP® exam you must be able to document 4500 hours of project management activities over the course of the last 7 years (or 7500 if you do not have a Bachelors degree or greater). This works out to three year of project work. You don't need to have the title of Project Manager, but you do need to be able to document that you practiced project management activities. You also will need to provide the contact info of your supervision during this time period. This is in the event that PMI audits your application. Additional detail on eligibility requirements can be found in the PMP® Handbook ==> http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf .

The CAPM® exam, on the other hand requires 0 hours of activity experience so long as you are able to document that you took 23 hours of formal project management training. Our CAPM® bootcamp will provide this.

What we tell people is that if you don't have the 4500 hours, then try for the CAPM® and then you can decide later if the PMP is something you'd like to take down the road once you have the hours in. Any certification in project management, such as the CAPM®, demonstrates commitment on your part to the field.

What are the chances that my application will be audited?

PMI audits approximately 10% of all applications. This will slow the approval process down for about an additional 2 weeks, so be prepared to give yourself plenty of time.

What qualifies as project management activities?

If you look through PMI's PMBOK®® Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge)  you will see 9 Knowledge Areas and 5 Process Groups. If you can demonstrate that you've practiced any of the activities in those Knowledge Areas and Process Groups then that is sufficient.

Your bootcamps are 4 consecutive days. I don't feel I'll be ready to take the exam after 4 days.

We have two responses. First, we also offer our bootcamps in four consecutive Saturdays. This way you have a week to digest the material before the next class. For many, this also means that you won't need to take vacation days from work. If the pace of four consecutive weekdays doesn't appeal to you we'd recommend you take the Saturday approach.

Our second response is that we don't recommend that you schedule the exam to take place at the end of the bootcamp. Some training organizations do, but we don't. A large percentage of the exam is memorization and it will take time to memorize the material. Here is our recommended process:

Apply for the exam - this process will help determine if you qualify to take the exam.

Once you receive approval to take the exam, then register for one of our PMP® Bootcamps.

AFTER bootcamp we recommend that you attend one of our study groups. These consist of our bootcamp alumni. They typically meet weekly and serve as excellent motivation and additional study help for you until you take the exam.

When should I schedule the exam then, if not immediately after the bootcamp?

It depends on how quickly you've internalized the material. A good average is 4-6 weeks after the bootcamp. If you wait too much longer than that you will not only risk forgetting the material but may also lose the momentum you had going into the bootcamp. We recommend that you treat the PMP® process as you would any project you manage; have milestones and dates, and track as you go!

What is covered in your bootcamps?

We cover all the material in the PMBOK® Guide, we ensure that you understand it, and are comfortable with the formulas you will need to know. We describe how to prepare for the exam, how to answer the questions in the exam. We cover material above and beyond the PMBOK® Guide - because the exam itself covers material outside of the PMBOK® Guide. Additionally you will be taking mini-exams during bootcamp and will be given a CD with 3500 sample exam questions to take on your own.

How much is the PMP® exam?

If you are a PMI member the exam cost is $405. If you are not a member it is $555. This fee is something you'd pay separately from our bootcamp and directly to PMI.

Where do I take the exam?

The exams are offered through Prometric at the Sylvan Learning Center in Pittsford. We provide additional info about the exam location and environment at our bootcamps.

Do I need to be a member of PMI to get my PMP®?

No, you do not. You will pay a higher price for the exam however ($555 vs. $405) and a higher amount to renew your credential every three years ($150 vs. $60).

1. PMP® is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

 
What is a Project Manager? PDF Print E-mail

One of the most surprizing (to us at least) and frequently asked questions is, "What does a project manager do?"

To best answer that here are some examples of what a project might be:

  • The constrution of a new bridge on the highway
  • Creating a new release of Microsoft Windows
  • The planning and execution of a successful wedding event
  • Creating and passing a new school budget
  • The building of a website

What a project is NOT is:

  • day to day activities, such as customer service or accounting

A project manager would then be the person who orchestrates the activities of the project. They are the director of the show, so to speak. They ensure resources are in place to accomplish the project objective, they plan how the project will go from its timing of key milestones to its costs to delivery to the customer. They track its progress and take corrective action as needed to get it back on track. They communicate status to those involved including the project's sponsor (in show biz terms the project sponsor would be the producer). They also tend to be the fall guy when things go awry. Which is why we project managers have developed thick skins!

Below are the four main components common to any project:

  • Projects are unique.
  • Projects are temporary in nature and have a definite beginning and ending date.
  • Projects are completed when the project goals are achieved or it’s determined the project is no longer viable.
  • A successful project is one that meets or exceeds the expectations of your stakeholders.