Trying to pass the PMP has suddenly become one of the most important tasks in my life. And that's why I'm so angry with myself for procrastinating month upon month, starting and stopping my studies, until finally June 2009 arrived, the exam was updated, and I wasn't ready for it.
I totally understand that change is required and therefore could not expect the PMP exam to remain the same until I was done.
But that didn't stop me from getting very upset with myself. After all, my "then" employer had purchased the PM FASTrack materials from RMC Project Management to assist me. Now that I'm no longer with that organization I'll have to bear the cost of purchasing resources geared towards the current version of the exam. And right now making that purchase isn't at the top of my budget.
A former colleague advised me that I can continue using the older resources just as long as I cross-reference them with the current version of the PMBOK. Hmm…
According to some PMP candidates, the changes aren't "major." However, the number of processes has increased from 39 to 44; seven processes have been added; two have been deleted; and 13 have been renamed. Also, the project management processes have been mapped to show integration and flow diagrams have been added to further support the integration of processes. Sorting that out sounds like a major undertaking.
So, although I have been told that it works for some, I'd rather put my energy into the studying; not the cross-referencing of topics.
I've slowly started replacing my resources, but I wonder how others have managed the changes and the use of now "outdated" resources. Would love to hear advice from other MPUG members.
All I can say is, that's what I get for procrastinating.
Sonja Clarke has an MSc and several years of project management experience in both the education and government arena. She can be reached at sdgclarke@yahoo.com.