9 tips for PgMP study plan
One of the more sophisticated credentials in the field of project and programme management is the PgMP (Program Management Professional) credential, which is provided by the PMI (Program Management Institute). In comparison to the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, this one is regarded as the next step up.
The PgMP certification examination, unlike the PMP certification examination, cannot be prepared for by reading a few books. In fact, it’s necessary to show that one has knowledge of a number of programme management principles in addition to having experience managing programmes. Here is the pgmp study plan:
If any of the following statements apply to you, you might think about obtaining this certification:
You are already certified as a project and programme manager (PMP) and intend to remain in this field. As an experienced programme manager, you can integrate a variety of best practises in the field of programme management to your everyday work by earning the PgMP certification.
You’d like to know more about running big, complicated programmes. The PgMP certification puts into perspective the broader organisational factors that have an impact on how large, complex projects and programmes are delivered by an organisation, both directly and indirectly. Possessing this understanding can assist you in managing extensive and intricate programmes in firms.
You wish to increase the depth of your programme management knowledge. The PgMP bootcamp of Eduhubspot can assist you in mastering the best practices for programme management that PMI has established with the assistance of international experts in a comprehensive framework for programme management.
It’s important to keep in mind that the PgMP certification requires two different examinations. Before candidates are permitted to take the PgMP certification exam, they must first pass a panel review, which serves as a prequalification step.
For instance, the PMI mandates that before a candidate is permitted to sit for the exam, they must have a certain amount of relevant experience in project and programme management. A person must have at least 15 years of programme management experience before they may sit for the PgMP certification examination, though PMI’s prerequisites for taking the test may alter.
Additionally, you must include specific information about your employment history, which should attest to your programme management experience. A candidate may only take the multiple-choice exam, the second of the two evaluations, once the PMI organisation has verified their experience. The candidate becomes a certified Program Management Professional after passing the exam.
I’ve gathered some advice to help prospective applicants apply for and pass the PgMP certification examination as I have assisted many others with the process. The advice is provided below
Keeping a record of your job history
Finding the appropriate project and programme experience throughout the PgMP application process is one of the fundamental components of applying for a PgMP certification and pgmp study plan, despite the fact that many candidates are unaware of this.
This is due to three factors.
Before you can even register for the PgMP certification exam, the PMI wants to make sure you have the necessary expertise. According to PMI, this indicates that you have the expertise to manage difficult projects and programmes with little oversight, that the projects and programmes were difficult enough to span several organisational functions, that you handled a variety of project-related tasks, including managing cost, schedule, risks, dependencies, etc., and that you were skilled at managing resources.
Additionally, as a programme manager, it is expected that you possess in-depth understanding of a number of fields, including finance, communication, persuasion, dispute resolution, and others. As a result, you should choose and highlight experiences that can attest to your eligibility for the exam.
The second reason for clearly characterising your experience is that it will need to be mentioned in your “experience summaries,” which you must provide as part of the application process.
As a result, you ought to be able to learn more about this experience and connect it to the different programme management domains. Inability to recognise and choose the appropriate experience will therefore affect how you document it in the PgMP certification application’s “experience summaries” part.
The ability to better prepare for your multiple-choice test is the third reason to make sure you choose the appropriate experience for your application. You’ll need to draw parallels between the various concepts and your experience in the actual world as you strive to understand them. Therefore, choosing the appropriate experience will significantly help your preparedness.
In conclusion, taking the effort to carefully recollect, describe, and articulate the pertinent experience can pay off in the long run for your pursuit of PgMP certification.
Developing your “Experience Summaries”
You must submit five “experience summaries” as part of your application, in which you must describe your past programme management experience in relation to the programmes you have overseen. As a result, you will need to describe the programmes you have overseen and tie your expertise to different programme management principles.
Thoroughly go over the “Standard of Program Management” Guide.
This advice may seem basic, yet many seasoned programme managers attempt to pass the exam solely on the basis of their prior knowledge. That approach won’t be effective when taking the PgMP certification exam.
You should keep in mind that the PgMP tests you on a number of programme management concepts that are outlined in the Standard of Program Management handbook. The terminology, ideas, and programme management tenets as they are described by that standard must therefore be familiar to you.
Understand the ideas underlying the charts and tables in the “Standard of Program Management” guide.
The tables and figures in PMI’s “Standard for Program Management” handbook were deliberately developed and offer a concise summary of several important programme management ideas.
Many have claimed that the concepts behind such tables and figures will be covered by a number of exam questions. Make sure you invest the necessary time in learning such ideas. The several important ideas addressed in the guide are briefly reviewed in these tables and figures.
Study the PMI’s PMBOK guidelines.
Make sure you read through and comprehend the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) concepts, which are discussed in PMI’s PMBOK® Guide and serve as the foundation for the PMP test.
This shouldn’t be that challenging because it largely involves brushing up on that information, and the majority of people who typically take the PgMP exam already have their PMP certification. Furthermore, learning a number of programme management ideas can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the PMBOK concepts.
Study other resources to learn more about programme management.
The Standard for Program Management Guide, for example, should not be solely relied upon by candidates to prepare for the PgMP certification exam, according to the PMI. A candidate should continue to develop his or her understanding of programme management from other sources as well, even if the PMI guide is crucial for getting everyone on the same page regarding PMI’s programme management structure and concepts.
Recognize the meaning behind each of the aforementioned objects, phases, actions, etc.
Numerous programme management domains, activities, documents, artifacts, phases, etc. that make up the PMI’s programme management framework are covered in the Standard for Program Management handbook. You must thoroughly understand each one of them, as well as how they advance a programme toward producing real business results.
Because there are so many, it can be confusing and challenging to recall them all. Some of the pgmp study plan may even seem similar after the initial reading, making it challenging to tell one from the other. During your initial read, one strategy you might do is to make a list of each of the major principles, along with a brief description of what it is they are meant to accomplish.
Connect principles to experience in the actual world
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the PgMP certification exam assesses your comprehension of the concepts as they are used in everyday life, not just your theoretical knowledge of programme management principles. Many of the exam’s questions are real-world case studies that you must comprehend and respond to in the constrained amount of time.
Try to link these ideas to your actual work experience of managing projects and programmes when studying for the programme management concepts from the Standard for Program Management guide. That will not only make those concepts simpler to comprehend, but it will also highlight their importance.
Join local PMI Chapters and Meetup groups.
Finding out about the PgMP test and what it requires from those who have already gone through the process, that is, from those who have actually studied for the exam, taken it, and passed it themselves, is one of the best methods to learn about it. By joining your local PMI chapter and associated meetup organisations, you can encounter such people.
Additionally, if your employer pushes you to sit for these certification examinations, look for groups of coworkers who already hold these qualifications or are pursuing them. You may share and learn a lot more from them by working together than by just reading through manuals and books.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many applicants had their applications rejected because they didn’t take the time to complete the application and their work history to the standards set by the PMI’s PgMP panels. Therefore, before you even begin your quest for the PgMP certification, take the time to thoroughly read the guidebook.
FAQ
1. How long should you give yourself to complete your application?
Please be aware that the PgMP applications are very different from those for the PMP or any other PMI certificates. You must respond to the five experience-based questions in addition to the programme description. These are significant inquiries. They are used by PMI during the Panel Review. If you don’t handle them correctly, PMI will either reject your application after three tries or send it back for revisions.
2. How much time should you give yourself to study for your test?
It’s challenging to respond to this question. How much time you have available each day will determine everything. You can anticipate being prepared in 2-3 months if you can commit 1-2 hours of quality time. Going over 4 months may be excessive. The best course of action is to seek expert advice, particularly from a PMI-REP (Registered Education Provider) who has helped others earn their PgMP.