The path to PMP and CAPM along the way?

MCDAVER said:

Hello all, first post here.  Ultimately my question to the PMP's and folks familiar with the PMI way, is what's the best way to get started on the material if you know nothing about it?  I have ordered the PMP Exam Prep book by Rita as well as the PMBOK to start the process.  There are also basic PMI courses, but does anybody have opinions if they're worth the money or if studying the two books above would be sufficient enough?  Is the CAPM certification a reasonable consideration to kick start the learning process?  (I'm about on year shy of the PMP experience requirement).

Background:  I've taken a position as an PM for a municipality's water and sewer department.  My supervisor is adamant that I pursue the PMP certification.  Along with that he wants to overhaul how our PM's manage projects and unify the process along the lines of the PMI way and has given me the task to spearhead this change.  (I'm young and ambitious and he wants to make changes now since a lot of our PM's will be retiring soon and wants to have a new process ready to go when we hire new PM's).  Like the other guys in the office my PM style has been learn as you go and ask the guys who have experience so I see the appeal in standardization.  I took and passed the PE last April so I don't expect the material studying bit to be terribly difficult when it's time for the cert exam.

Any advice, suggestions, or recommendations would be awesome.

Thanks, MCDAVER

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1. What's the best way to get started on the material if you know nothing about it?  Go to the PMI website as a start.  You can also read a book on the PMP ( I read Kim Heldman's book but I heard Rita's book is good also.)
   
2. There are also basic PMI courses, but does anybody have opinions if they're worth the money or if studying the two books above would be sufficient enough?  It depends on you and your learning style.  I took an online course and thought it helped.  You will need 36 formal Project Management training hours and if you do not have that, you will probably need to take a course.  There are hundreds of courses out there, On-Demand, LiveOnline, in person Bootcamps, and college courses with costs ranging from $60 to several thousand dollars.  Do some online research and see what works for you (It also depends on if you are paying for it or if you will get reimbursed).
   
3. Is the CAPM certification a reasonable consideration to kick start the learning process?  (I'm about on year shy of the PMP experience requirement).  I had the experience and went straight for my PMP so I can't help you with this one.  I would probably just wait or just reflect on what Project Management experience you do have.   School projects, volunteer work, Church Work, Organization work, etc. can count towards the requirement.  You might have more experience than you realize.
   

ruggercsc said:

1. What's the best way to get started on the material if you know nothing about it?  Go to the PMI website as a start.  You can also read a book on the PMP ( I read Kim Heldman's book but I heard Rita's book is good also.)
   
2. There are also basic PMI courses, but does anybody have opinions if they're worth the money or if studying the two books above would be sufficient enough?  It depends on you and your learning style.  I took an online course and thought it helped.  You will need 36 formal Project Management training hours and if you do not have that, you will probably need to take a course.  There are hundreds of courses out there, On-Demand, LiveOnline, in person Bootcamps, and college courses with costs ranging from $60 to several thousand dollars.  Do some online research and see what works for you (It also depends on if you are paying for it or if you will get reimbursed).
   
3. Is the CAPM certification a reasonable consideration to kick start the learning process?  (I'm about on year shy of the PMP experience requirement).  I had the experience and went straight for my PMP so I can't help you with this one.  I would probably just wait or just reflect on what Project Management experience you do have.   School projects, volunteer work, Church Work, Organization work, etc. can count towards the requirement.  You might have more experience than you realize.
   

You will need to study and put some time into it, but it is lot easier than the PE Exam. 

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MCDAVER said:

Well dang. If planning a wedding and a child's birthday party count I might have more than I think...

That's neat some courses help outline the application process. 

I think I'll start with the books I've ordered, take a 35 hr course, scrounge up the hours and go straight for the PMP. 

What was your opinion of the Udemy course, PEgeo?

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jmitch23 said:

I recommend both Head Start PMP and Rita Mulcahy's book.

Read Head Start first to get an intuitive understanding of the process and it's logic. It's a pretty easy read, but I needed more depth to feel comfortable for the exam. That said, I'm particular and I'm generally not comfortable knowing "just enough" to pass.

Then read Rita's book. Much more in depth, but I could see it feeling like a textbook without having a foundation in place and Head Start provided that foundation for me.

If I had to pick just one, I'd say Rita's book is it. I don't doubt that one could pass with either book, but I found myself recalling elements from both during the exam. If you have the time and a little extra to spend, however, use both. The cost of Head Start is far less than that of retaking the exam, both in terms of money and frustration.

I hope this helps.

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MCDAVER said:

Well dang. If planning a wedding and a child's birthday party count I might have more than I think...

That's neat some courses help outline the application process. 

I think I'll start with the books I've ordered, take a 35 hr course, scrounge up the hours and go straight for the PMP. 

What was your opinion of the Udemy course, PEgeo?

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MCDAVER said:

Solid advice.  I think I'll jump on the Udemy course.  It's dropped to $15 which is crazy inexpensive to fulfill the 35 hour requirement.  I'll start plugging through the PMBOK, Rita's Exam Prep book, the course and then apply for PMP.

Thanks again everybody.  Definitely feel squared away to kick start this certification journey.

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