Update
The final date of the PMP certification exam has been moved to January 11th, 2016. Still, all the examinees have an enough amount of time to prepare for the change.
An individual, who is aspiring to attain their PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, needs to take into consideration that PMP has implemented in the certification exam and after January 11th 2016 the PMP exam will be based on the new format.
So, why is the PMP exam changing?
The foremost reason why PMP exam is being updated, because initially the responsibility of the project managers were only limited to the successful delivery of the project, however as per the new certification exam the role will be also involved in all the major decisions like go, no-go decisions with respect to the project selection. This new change is meant to reflect the current practices.
What are the Key changes
The role of the Project Manager has evolved
Now onwards from the very initial stage project manager would be involved in the project to understand how the benefits are being carried out. So, where there will be benefits there will be a project manager. So, it won’t be limited to only project delivery.
Value of lessons learned
Role of the Project Manager has evolved: More emphasis is placed throughout the entire life cycle of a project.
- Lessons learned of other projects at the beginning of the project
- Lessons learned at the closure of the project
Responsibility
The project manager is an important part of the project charter, but isn’t exclusively responsible for it.
Improving Stakeholder relationships
Project Manager is now involved in maintaining the stakeholder relationships by analyzing and following the stakeholder management plan. So, now a project manager can rely on a stack holder for the continuous support.
Main Changes of Overall PMP Exam
- It is assumed that 25% of the exam will cover new topic areas from the newly added tasks. Furthermore, the rest large percentage of the exam questions will be new and updated.
- There are lots of things, which have not been changed. The eligibility criteria will remain as earlier. Every PMP candid will be required to fulfill the criteria of 4,500 to 7,500 hours in leading and managing projects and will be also required to have 35 hours of formal project management education.
- The overall exam structure will be the same as earlier. It still be made up of 200 multiple choice scenario based questions.
What is not changed?
- The reference book for examination
- The eligibility criteria
- The application form filling
- PMI Audit process
What changes you should bring to your studies
Just do your studies as you normally do, and I would like to give you more importance on the stakeholder management chapter in terms of planning, communicating, analysis, identification and monitoring the engagement. Give detail attention ion lessons learned. Carefully learn to analyze and understand how you should respond to the opportunities under the risk management.