Understanding the PMI and its preparation tricks

What is PMI?

PMI, Project management institute is the largest nonprofit organization of the world working for the project management field. There are organization has above 700,000 members including volunteers and credential holders. The certifications offered by the institute are available in almost every country of the world to encourage and improve the project management skills and ensure a safe career. PMI’s support around the world for project management is consistent and recognized for its extensive market and academic research programs, professional development and communities and chapters of practice.

PMI offers seven certifications under its title that are globally recognized for assessing competency and knowledge. The most popular one being the PMP- project management professional with above 60,000 credential holders worldwide. Increments in salary suggests that the certification has the same value and importance everywhere in the world

The standards of project management institute for portfolio, project and program management are the most recognized standards in this profession. Thousands of PMI members and volunteers update and develop these with their experiences, ensuring a common language for project management around the globe.

Tips for the Preparation of PMI exams-

Preparing for PMI exams is very important. Being a globally recognized certification, the exam cannot be related as an easier one. There are critical practical concepts you must prepare for before you take the exam. PMI makes the preparation process easier by offering a range of learning opportunities’. PMI has its own instructor led courses, online classrooms, worldwide seminars and a knowledge shelf where experienced members of the institute write informative articles for the new project managers.

Other than what PMI offers, there are various options for learning and preparation.

Books- Some of the famous authors like Harold Kerzner, Dr Frank Anbari, and Richard H beatty have covered the core topics about the project management concepts. Project manager’s book of forms by Cynthia stackpole Synder is a recommended book for all the project management information. These books are a popular option of preparation, especially if you are applying for the PMP exam. For each certification you will find study guides offered by PMI itself and other authors. The exam being standard ensures that whatever topics are being covered by the authors are standardized. It is advised that you first review these books. It familiarizes you with the concepts and exam pattern. The multiple choice questions available in the books prepare you well for the exam.

Online classrooms- There are several online classrooms learning centre where you can interact with the project management professionals. PMI itself offers an instructor led online classroom where you will have classmates from all around the globe. The course covers the core topics with discussions, assignments, group projects and quizzes. Professional volunteers also participate in the lectures, enlightening you with their experience and learning. The time frame of these classrooms is set by the site itself.

Learn through knowledge shelf:

The knowledge shelf of PMI is another great learning option. You can find articles on various topics by famous project managers and professional volunteers. The visitors of the site are allowed access to these articles however for detail explanations of some subjects you may have to earn the membership. You can either pay for subject or pay for the membership altogether. The total cost of membership is around $140. However it gives you access to the information provided by the world’s most prestigious project managers and experienced professionals who volunteer to teach the beginners.

Practice exams:

Once you have equipped yourself with all the required information, you can take the online practice exams or purchase the multiple choice question books by any of the above mentioned authors. The exam pattern includes 200 multiple choice questions, as easy as it sounds it can be as difficult to select the correct option out of many possible answers. Practicing these questions is the only way you can prepare yourself for critical thinking. Each book has about 100-150 practice questions in it with answers available at the back side of the book.

Interview professionals:

Finally, interview some professional project managers if possible. The reason why you should do this is to collect practical life experience and learn how to critically manage the budget, resources etc. Ask your mentor to provide you with the details of some successfully handled project with high possibility of failure and loss. Undergoing this process will open your mind to new and possible ways of overcoming project constraints.

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