Project Management (Draw some lines)

[IndyColtsFan]

I applied in 2011. I think I listed 6-7 projects on my app with the hours to back it up. I have a spreadsheet that someone built that helps you assign hours to the types of PM actions you may have performed and calculates your total hours and "unique months" of experience. If you want it, PM me an email address. I made sure I was well over the number of hours and unique months required, but certainly did not list everything that could have qualified.

I downloaded the application form and filled it out offline before going back to PMI and typing the info into their online form.

My understanding is that applications are randomly selected for audit. If audited, you have to document everything. If you said Bob Smith was your manager in 2012 for Project X, you'll have to find Bob Smith and have him sign a letter that supports your claims for Project X. If you said you have a degree, you have to prove it. I have never heard that audits are anything but random. I wouldn't want to submit a 120-page app and find out I got randomly selected for audit and have to document everything I said on the app.

I work with a couple people who have PMPs and they barely have enough time out of school to have gotten the required hours of experience, so I know their apps could not have been that beefy.

Yeah, I've heard that about audits too. I think I am making it way too hard.

I'll PM you.

 

[Elbryn]

I applied in 2011. I think I listed 6-7 projects on my app with the hours to back it up. I have a spreadsheet that someone built that helps you assign hours to the types of PM actions you may have performed and calculates your total hours and "unique months" of experience. If you want it, PM me an email address. I made sure I was well over the number of hours and unique months required, but certainly did not list everything that could have qualified.

I downloaded the application form and filled it out offline before going back to PMI and typing the info into their online form.

My understanding is that applications are randomly selected for audit. If audited, you have to document everything. If you said Bob Smith was your manager in 2012 for Project X, you'll have to find Bob Smith and have him sign a letter that supports your claims for Project X. If you said you have a degree, you have to prove it. I have never heard that audits are anything but random. I wouldn't want to submit a 120-page app and find out I got randomly selected for audit and have to document everything I said on the app.

I work with a couple people who have PMPs and they barely have enough time out of school to have gotten the required hours of experience, so I know their apps could not have been that beefy.

did the same when i filled my app for pmp out. there was a nice big ass spreadsheet with the various project phases that let you fill pieces in. needed some formal project management class and a ton of hours for project management time. less if you had a bachelors as was mentioned earlier. i didnt think the app was so bad, just had to pick the right projects so it minimized paperwork.

in my case i did get audited, but i suspect i know why as i used a few go arounds to make the cost of testing cheapest. i was a full time employee and doing a part time mba. fulfilled the project management class through school, then joined the pmi under the student classification which made me eligible to get the pmp reduced test taking price. so naturally, it looked suspicious.

the audit process was not a big deal. personally, i think indy is making a bigger deal out of a pmp than it really is. they basically sent me paperwork and required signatures of someone from the projects i submitted stating that i did indeed perform those projects. here's where project selection is important as well as the definition of projects is important. just about anything can be considered a project as long as it has a definite start and a definite end, has resources, etc... all you gotta be is the one running it... even if you're the sole project resource. My existing manager then knew i was applying and had the heads up on the possible audit risk and projects i was using (we had a good relationship) so when it came in, i turned the stuff over to him and he signed it. back into the mail it goes and i go take the test.

good pm's are great. most pms are not good pms. i'm no longer an active pmp, let it lapse. too lazy to fulfill the continuing credits, though one does get ce credits for simply being a pm. you can also get credits listening to podcasts (cornelius fitchner as previously mention qualifies). you can achieve nearly all you need from those two sources and if you burn some time going to pmi meetings you can get the rest or pay some money to get a booster course.

i'm of the mindset that a pmp is ok, you really have to have one to be a pm or be considered for a job as one if you're looking for a new job. however, it's also not as big of a entry barrier as folks make it out to be. i got one while taking part time mba classes and having worked for 3-4 years as a IT manager (and only IT person) for a clinical department in a large teaching environment. the test is in itself the same as any standard multiple choice certification test. some 25% of questions are future test questions so dont count. figure you studied and can get 50% right. you can rule out 2 stupid answers from the ones you dont so should in theory get 50% right by guessing. that nets you a 75% +/- some deviation for how badly or well you guessed. i think you only needed a 60% or so to pass. so yea..

in any case, from my experience (our shop was not project matrix, definitely functional) pmp doesnt provide real tangible project management qualifications. it's a framework that is rarely followed strictly. if you are organized, communicate like crazy between all levels, have thick skin, and wear out them people chasing shoes, you'll be fine.

damn, this turned out to a lot longer than i thought

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Thanks Elbryn. I think you're right -- I am making it too hard on myself.

 

[steppinthrax]

Do you have any experience leading teams or managing stakeholders?

Are you clear on the responsibilities / expectations of a project manager in your organisation?

He obviously doesn't have the ability/experience to perform basic research....

 

[PricklyPete]

He obviously doesn't have the ability/experience to perform basic research....

I heard he has rental property...so it is all good.


Why are you trolling your own thread? Are you putting the troll hours in to meet some ATOT douche certification requirement? If so, I'll happily be your reference when they want to audit your assitude.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I heard he has rental property...so it is all good.


Why are you trolling your own thread? Are you putting the troll hours in to meet some ATOT douche certification requirement? If so, I'll happily be your reference when they want to audit your assitude.

I guess between working two jobs at the same time (ie, double-dipping), he found some downtime to troll.

 

[PricklyPete]

I guess between working two jobs at the same time (ie, double-dipping), he found some downtime to troll.

Time management at its finest.

 

[z1ggy]

He obviously doesn't have the ability/experience to perform basic research....

The basic research from Google does not net me personalized, first hand accounts of PM experience. Yeah I can go look up "How to be a PM'er" or "PM responsibilities" but that only gets me into tons of randomized internet BS.

As somebody who really isn't a true PMer here at my job now, I find first hand account from members here desirable, especially because the field is so vast.

 

[steppinthrax]

The basic research from Google does not net me personalized, first hand accounts of PM experience. Yeah I can go look up "How to be a PM'er" or "PM responsibilities" but that only gets me into tons of randomized internet BS.

As somebody who really isn't a true PMer here at my job now, I find first hand account from members here desirable, especially because the field is so vast.

I got all my information here ----------> http://www.pmi.org/

I filled out my application there as well. APPROVED AS WELL.

It's not like we are looking for the "Ark of the Covenant" and we need to get indiana jones over here. It's all public knowledge and very well put. Using your mind to sift through the B.S. and find the important things you need!!!! That shouldn't be something you need to be told?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I got all my information here ----------> http://www.pmi.org/

I filled out my application there as well. APPROVED AS WELL.

It's not like we are looking for the "Ark of the Covenant" and we need to get indiana jones over here. It's all public knowledge and very well put. Using your mind to sift through the B.S. and find the important things you need!!!! That shouldn't be something you need to be told?

There is nothing wrong with asking people for thoughts and opinions.

 

[z1ggy]

I got all my information here ----------> http://www.pmi.org/

I filled out my application there as well. APPROVED AS WELL.

It's not like we are looking for the "Ark of the Covenant" and we need to get indiana jones over here. It's all public knowledge and very well put. Using your mind to sift through the B.S. and find the important things you need!!!! That shouldn't be something you need to be told?

I'm not looking for some magical thing to be told me....

It's like the difference between going on wiki and looking up what electrical engineering is all about, as opposed to asking a few EE's what they do on a daily basis, and what things they studied in school. It's my version if investigative reporting. You can only get so much from reading 2nd or 3rd hand sources, especially on a topic you don't know much about.

A lot of what I am more interested in is subjective anyway.

 

[Triumph]

In this thread, everyone who thinks they are the expert in the OP's video. More than likely you are not.

Also in this thread, people who have worked on poorly managed projects, and thus, blame project management entirely for the project's failings.

 

[steppinthrax]

In this thread, everyone who thinks they are the expert in the OP's vehicle. More than likely you are not.

Also in this thread, people who have worked on poorly managed projects, and thus, blame project management entirely for the project's failings.

Yep!!!!!!!

 

[Triumph]

Yep!!!!!!!

Also, people who are very good at what they do, are usually very myopic and don't understand everyone else's needs. This is usually the people who think they do all the work and the PM took all the credit. They ignore things like sustainment because it makes THEIR job easier to do it THIS way NOW. That type of people don't appreciate project management.

Note - I am not a project manager.

 

[steppinthrax]

Also, people who are very good at what they do, are usually very myopic and don't understand everyone else's needs. This is usually the people who think they do all the work and the PM took all the credit. They ignore things like sustainment because it makes THEIR job easier to do it THIS way NOW. That type of people don't appreciate project management.

Note - I am not a project manager.

Some of what you discussed related to why I posted this thread. This thread was supposed to comment on how the video relates to how the technical/business don't understand each other in the IT industry. It was funny whoever put this together. But this thread was derailed by someone who didn't know how to use Google LOL..

Anyway, yes, I've found PMs tend to play the political game in the workplace. It seems to be the thread in the workplace nowadays.

 

[Newell Steamer]

My favorites,.. because I've heard similar comments a few times; "What if we draw them with blue ink?" (the red lines) & "Just ignore it." (Geometry)

Oh, and the Designers - holy crap, they all seem to be cut from the same thread, no matter what the industry or end product, they are usually way off the deep end.