PMP cert

[dakels]

Anyone here have the PMP cert from PMI?

I'm curious as to how difficult you thought the process was.
Did you pass on the first try?
How long did it take you from deciding to start the process to final cert?

I'm under the assumption that the PM strategy doesnt change that drastically in a few years. Is revueing with a 4 year old PMP book ok?

Overall did you find the process valuable, worth it?

I havent been in school for 8+ years. Been doing project management for fortune 500 companies for 2 years now (10 years in the industry) and looking to get PMP cert for that next step.

 

[91TTZ]

Pimp certification?

 

[Tremulant]

My boss is looking at getting that cert...

Then he'll be a CERTIFIED PIMP.

 

[Drakkon]

I have delt with people with that PMP cert and it turns them into total jackasses. It makes them think they know the "right thing to do" in every situation and in the long run it screws them over. Really what makes a good PM is experience and intuition. For example the last project i had a PM from one of those top 500 companies tell us that instead of following a normal process we should use something from his professional course experience....it caused $250K overrun and got his ass fired along with 2-3 other people at the companywe believe. So in other words it may get you somewhere but don't let the experience you already have be outwieged by whatever crap they feed you in the class.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
I have delt with people with that PMP cert and it turns them into total jackasses. It makes them think they know the "right thing to do" in every situation and in the long run it screws them over. Really what makes a good PM is experience and intuition. For example the last project i had a PM from one of those top 500 companies tell us that instead of following a normal process we should use something from his professional course experience....it caused $250K overrun and got his ass fired along with 2-3 other people at the companywe believe. So in other words it may get you somewhere but don't let the experience you already have be outwieged by whatever crap they feed you in the class.

QFT. My last supervisor held this certification, and he was 100% worthless. He was more hung up on making sure all of the I's were dotted and T's crossed on the mountain of paperwork that he thought should accompany every project than he was in actually completing any of the projects. With him, it was not unheard of that a 1/2 day project required 2 days of meetings and at least that much more time completing and babysitting paperwork. I am SOOOOO glad I don't work for him anymore.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: Drakkon
I have delt with people with that PMP cert and it turns them into total jackasses. It makes them think they know the "right thing to do" in every situation and in the long run it screws them over. Really what makes a good PM is experience and intuition. For example the last project i had a PM from one of those top 500 companies tell us that instead of following a normal process we should use something from his professional course experience....it caused $250K overrun and got his ass fired along with 2-3 other people at the companywe believe. So in other words it may get you somewhere but don't let the experience you already have be outwieged by whatever crap they feed you in the class.

QFT. My last supervisor held this certification, and he was 100% worthless. He was more hung up on making sure all of the I's were dotted and T's crossed on the mountain of paperwork that he thought should accompany every project than he was in actually completing any of the projects. With him, it was not unheard of that a 1/2 day project required 2 days of meetings and at least that much more time completing and babysitting paperwork. I am SOOOOO glad I don't work for him anymore.

I agree 100%. A certain PMP always seemed to be requesting my presence at meetings, where the sole agenda was...









...wait for it...







...scheduling a future meeting... :| :|

I want to drive a stake thru his heart to this day.

 

[theknight571]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
I have delt with people with that PMP cert and it turns them into total jackasses. <CLIP>... So in other words it may get you somewhere but don't let the experience you already have be outwieged by whatever crap they feed you in the class.

This can be said about alot of people with alot of different certifications.

Unfortunately too many managers / HR pesonel look for the letters after your name before looking at your actual experience.

 

[DaiShan]

They are working on revamping this cert. Right now it is geared towards really generic project management, some of the case scenarios involve staffing construction jobs. It's a very well respected certification, but I'm hoping that they will add more/better IT centric scenarios to the curriculum because while it's true that there are certain management techniques that you can apply in most situations, the majority of the time, IT decision making will differ greatly from the process employed in say construction.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: theknight571

Originally posted by: Drakkon
I have delt with people with that PMP cert and it turns them into total jackasses. <CLIP>... So in other words it may get you somewhere but don't let the experience you already have be outwieged by whatever crap they feed you in the class.

This can be said about alot of people with alot of different certifications.

Unfortunately too many managers / HR pesonel look for the letters after your name before looking at your actual experience.

The PMP cert requires experience before you can take the exam...

 

[Gunslinger08]

Most of our PMs at work have it. It doesn't seem like it's that hard to get. You need to have several thousands of hours of project management experience, some training, and take an exam.

Really, it's like any other cert. Realistically, it's worthless and means nothing. In the business world though, it makes you more money.

 

[WingZero94]

This Cert is very important for Project Managers to get. It is also not 'easy'.

You need 4500 hours of non-concurrent project management experience PLUS 36 hours of Classroom work PLUS 3 years as a PM PLUS a 4 year college degree just to apply. If you con't have a college degree then you need 8500 hours of non-concurrent PM experience.

Any cert by itself is worthless, however this one gives PM's a standard for effective project management. Only a fool PM will go by the PMBOK line for line on each of their projects. You have to use it as a guide, and only that. What works best for an organization may differ.

That said, it is one of the most respected certification that you can get these days. If you are in the field, then for sure get it. It will only help you for future jobs / etc.

 

[Zolty]

PMP'n sure ain't easy but it sure is fun!!

 

[WingZero94]

Lol