PMP – Project Management Professional

Last updated on Apr 16, 2023

The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam and certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which is a nonprofit professional organization that promotes project management and provides resources for project managers. The PMP certification demonstrates a candidate's knowledge and skills in project management and is highly valued by employers in various industries. In this article, we will discuss the process, syllabus, and other relevant information about the PMP exam and certification.

Process

The PMP certification process involves meeting the eligibility requirements, applying for the exam, preparing for the exam, taking the exam, and maintaining the certification. Let's discuss each step in detail.

Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for the PMP exam, candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements. Candidates must have a four-year degree or equivalent and at least three years of experience in project management, with 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education. Candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent must have at least five years of experience in project management, with 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education. Candidates can document their experience and education through the online application process.

Application: After meeting the eligibility requirements, candidates can apply for the PMP exam through the PMI website. The application process involves providing personal and professional information, documenting education and experience, and agreeing to the PMI code of ethics and professional conduct. The application fee for PMI members is $405, and for non-members, it is $555.

Preparing for the exam: After the application is approved, candidates can start preparing for the exam. PMI provides various resources for exam preparation, such as study materials, online courses, and practice exams. Candidates can also use third-party resources, such as study guides and training courses. PMI recommends spending at least 35 hours on exam preparation.

Taking the exam: The PMP exam is a computer-based exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have four hours to complete the exam. The exam covers five domains of project management, which are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing. The questions are based on the PMI Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). The passing score for the exam is determined by a psychometric analysis and is not disclosed.

Maintaining the certification: The PMP certification is valid for three years. To maintain the certification, candidates must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through various activities, such as attending training courses, giving presentations, and volunteering in the project management community. PMI provides various resources for earning PDUs.

Syllabus

The PMP exam syllabus is based on the PMBOK Guide and covers five domains of project management. Let's discuss each domain in detail.

Domain 1: Initiating (13%)

This domain covers the processes required to define a new project or a new phase of an existing project. It includes the following processes:

Develop project charter: defining the project and obtaining approval to start the project.
Identify stakeholders: identifying individuals or organizations who may impact or be impacted by the project.
Develop project management plan: documenting the project management approach and how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled.

Domain 2: Planning (24%)

This domain covers the processes required to establish the scope of the project, refine the objectives, and define the course of action required to attain the objectives. It includes the following processes:

Define scope: developing a detailed description of the project and its deliverables.
Develop schedule: identifying and documenting the activities required to produce the project deliverables and establishing a timeline for completing the project.
Develop cost management plan: estimating costs, creating a budget, and establishing cost control measures.
Develop quality management plan: identifying quality standards and how they will be achieved.
Develop human resource management plan: identifying roles, responsibilities, and staffing needs for the project team.
Develop communication management plan: identifying communication needs and how they will be addressed.
Develop risk management plan: identifying and analyzing project risks and developing strategies to manage them.
Develop procurement management plan: identifying project needs that can be met through external resources and developing a procurement strategy.

Domain 3: Executing (31%)

This domain covers the processes required to complete the work defined in the project management plan and to meet the project objectives. It includes the following processes:

Direct and manage project work: leading and performing the work defined in the project management plan.
Perform quality assurance: auditing project processes and deliverables to ensure they meet quality standards.
Acquire resources: obtaining necessary resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials.
Develop team: improving team performance through training, mentoring, and coaching.
Manage communications: ensuring timely and appropriate communication among project stakeholders.
Conduct procurements: obtaining goods and services from external sources as defined in the procurement management plan.

Domain 4: Monitoring and Controlling (25%)

This domain covers the processes required to track, review, and regulate the progress and performance of the project. It includes the following processes:

Monitor and control project work: tracking project performance against the project management plan and making necessary changes.
Perform integrated change control: reviewing change requests, approving or rejecting them, and managing the change process.
Validate scope: ensuring that project deliverables meet the project requirements.
Control scope: monitoring project scope and managing changes to scope.
Control schedule: monitoring project progress against the schedule and managing changes to the schedule.
Control cost: monitoring project expenditures against the budget and managing changes to costs.
Control quality: monitoring project deliverables against quality standards and managing changes to quality.
Control communications: monitoring project communications and managing changes to communications.
Control risks: monitoring project risks and managing changes to risk management strategies.
Control procurements: managing contracts and relationships with external resources.

Domain 5: Closing (7%)

This domain covers the processes required to formally close the project or phase. It includes the following processes:

Close project or phase: finalizing project activities and formally closing the project or phase.
Close procurement: completing procurement activities and closing contracts.

Other relevant information

The PMP exam is a challenging exam that requires extensive preparation and study. The exam is based on the PMBOK Guide and covers five domains of project management. The passing score for the exam is determined by a psychometric analysis and is not disclosed. The PMP certification is valid for three years and requires earning 60 PDUs every three years to maintain. PMI provides various resources for exam preparation and earning PDUs.

In conclusion, the PMP exam and certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers. It demonstrates a candidate's knowledge and skills in project management and is highly valued by employers in various industries. The certification process involves meeting eligibility requirements, applying for the exam, preparing for the exam, taking the exam, and maintaining the certification. The exam syllabus is based on the PMBOK Guide and covers five domains of project management. Candidates should prepare extensively for the exam and use various resources provided by PMI to ensure success.

The PMP exam can be taken in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center or online through a remote proctoring system. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and is timed for four hours. The questions are a mix of situational and knowledge-based questions, and some questions may have more than one correct answer. The exam fee for PMI members is $405, and for non-members, it is $555.

To maintain the PMP certification, candidates must earn 60 PDUs every three years. PDUs can be earned through various activities, including attending PMI events, completing online courses, and participating in project management activities. PMI provides various resources and opportunities for candidates to earn PDUs and maintain their certification.

Benefits of PMP certification

PMP certification offers various benefits to project managers, including:

Enhanced job opportunities: PMP certification is highly valued by employers in various industries, and it can enhance job opportunities and earning potential for project managers.
Improved project management skills: PMP certification requires extensive study and preparation, which can improve a candidate's project management skills and knowledge.
Global recognition: PMP certification is globally recognized and demonstrates a candidate's competence in project management.
Professional development: Maintaining PMP certification requires earning PDUs, which offers opportunities for professional development and learning.
Networking opportunities: PMI offers various events and networking opportunities for PMP certified professionals, which can expand their professional network and provide opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PMP certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers that demonstrates their knowledge and skills in project management. The certification process involves meeting eligibility requirements, applying for the exam, preparing for the exam, taking the exam, and maintaining the certification. The exam syllabus is based on the PMBOK Guide and covers five domains of project management. Candidates should prepare extensively for the exam and use various resources provided by PMI to ensure success. PMP certification offers various benefits to project managers, including enhanced job opportunities, improved project management skills, global recognition, professional development, and networking opportunities.