PMP Lessons Learned by Vijayababu, PMP

8 year long PMP dream.

4 rounds of study using books.

2 hours of study per day during weekdays + 8 hours of study during weekends.

1 mock test after completing every chapter.

Failed PMP exam.

Replaced one of the study resources with a video course.

Worked through health issues.

Took the second attempt.

Passed the PMP exam!

PMP exam can be full of surprises. That’s why it is recommended to understand how successful PMPs are doing it.

And replicate the strategies that resonate with you.

This week, Vijaybabu reveals his strategies.

Vijayababu has over 13 years of professional experience as an Engineer in the Medical Devices, Food Processing & Defense industries.

Let’s find out how Vijayababu did it.

This is a long & interesting one. So I'd suggest hot cuppa coffee, and a paper & pen to make note of the strategies and techniques you'd want to try.

What made you take up PMP?

In 2011 May, I completed my first 4 years of professional journey as an Engineer.

This experience had enabled me to get my hands on a complete project life cycle, some spanning a few weeks to more than 10 months.

As I joined my next company, I decided to pursue my studies towards Business Administration & took up my MBA in Project Management.

During this time, I came across information about the PMP certification exam on pmi.org. The details provided there were not much help to me as I could not understand the basic requirements mentioned for PMP certification, honestly, I had never heard of it till then.

In 2015, I played a major role in one of the flagship projects for my company, during which time, one of my colleagues suggested that I take up the PMP exam to pursue a Project Management career.

Then I began to watch YouTube videos on Project Management.

All the processes explained there looked the same to me & frankly, I got bored listening to the same words for different processes per PMBOK. PMBOK guide was not so helpful for me to continue my studies.

In 2018, I decided to change my career as I moved to a different city, with one simple goal: getting PMP certified within the next couple of years.

Now that I am PMP certified, I am considering PgMP certification in near future from PMI.

Now that you are certified, what benefits do you see now?

I have started to implement processes of PMP in managing projects based on project needs in a small way to good effect.

My Project Management fundamentals are stronger.

I have a clear understanding of project phases from initiation to closing. I actively focus on stakeholders, risks & communication needs identification in the early stages of the project.

All these have been giving me better results at work.?I wonder how much better it could have been if I’d done PMP much earlier!.

My PMP certification has invoked confidence in me by my new employer and clients alike.

I can say that PMP has made me a better project manager at work, given validation of my project management skills, and recognition among my hiring managers and customers.

Which study resources did you use?

I initially started with?YouTube videos, PDF books from different authors, and finally PMBOK guide.

Then I enrolled in InfoCareerIndia for their 35-hours of classroom training.

Next, I took up?Rita Mulcahy’s book.

As part of the training, we were provided course material, video recordings, and weekly online training. Also, utilized question banks based on level of difficulty – basic, medium, and high (more free PMP question banks here).

During my second attempt, I used?PM PrepCast by Cornelius Fichtner.

My employer provided multiple courses as part of our professional growth plan. I had access to PMP sixth edition video?training by Barb Waters.

How did you approach the exam and what was your study plan?

I had to take 2 attempts at PMP.

My study plan for the first attempt –

I was suggested to take the exam within 100 days of completing the classroom training by the institute that provided us with the training.

A template with all chapters from both the books & test matrix was provided to us in an Excel file to help us prepare for the exam. During training days, based on my schedule, I had decided to take the exam on a date that was a bit beyond 100 days.

My study schedule was –

• 2 hours of study per day during weekdays + 8 hours of study during weekend, holidays & during leaves
• Read each chapter from both the books (1+1) PMBOK & Rita’s
• Take a mock test after completing every chapter.

In 2 months I had completed reading both the books 3 times & completed about 95% of the tests with results ranging from 50% to 90% passing results.

In the subsequent week I initiated my PMP application process and my application was approved. I was ready to schedule my exam date.

During these days, I read the above books once more, with overall 4 rounds of the study books.

I would connect my laptop to TV & play videos?from skillsoft website every day morning from 7 am to 10 am. I would be listening to all the time, sometimes looking at the screen to understand what is explained in the concept.

In hindsight, this set of resources probably weren’t the best ones for me, and I had to take the second PMP attempt.

My study plan during the second attempt –

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