Articles by John Reiling on ArticleSnatch.com

PMP Exam Prep Strategy: Learn By Distinction

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:55:18 -0400

There are lots of strategies for preparing for exams, and PMP exam prep is not exception. However, more often than not, the strategy stressed is to learn prepare for the PMP exam by looking at the subject from different angles. However, another approach is to learn by seeing contrasts, or learn by distinction. Here is a look at these 2 similar yet different strategies for PMP exam prep, or preparation for any exam. The best best idea is actually combine both strategies! 1 - The Multiple Sources strategy When preparing for the PMP exam, a favored and highly recommended approach is to study project management from multiple perspectives. Usually that means identifying multiple sources of training, mixed into various possible combinations, such as: 1. classroom training, online training, and book 2. online training, podcast, and book 3. study group, classroom training, and book 4. others, depending upon your budget, time, and learning style The "multiple sources strategy" is a very logical and valid to approach to PMP exam prep. Personally, this is the approach I took a few years ago when I was preparing for the PMP exam. **End Summary** Topics: PMP exam prep]]> PMP exam]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. John's web site, http://www.pmtrainingonline.com, provides online project management training for PMP exam prep and PDUs. John also writes regularly in his blog, ( http://pmcrunch.com ).

Now You re a PMP! What Next?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:52:43 -0400

Congratulations! You have earned your PMP certification and reached a career milestone. While it is an accomplishment worth celebrating, after a short time, the question becomes Whats next? Whats next? Yes, high achievers especially experience this Whats next? urge. I recently heard a podcast in which the author talked about the challenges and experiences of the astronauts who had walked on the moon. After years of preparation and intense focus and discipline, they reached their goals only to return, in some cases, to a sense of loss of direction and purpose. Some had deep troubles because of the loss of having achieved their goal and not having a new goal with which to replace it! Leverage your time: PMP PDUs AND another Certification So, it is great to leverage your PMP certification, to apply the principles, to show you know your stuff, perhaps to advance or move crosswise to another interesting and lucrative career position. But perhaps there is more that you can do to keep up, and even accelerate, your career momentum. As you assess your goals, another certification could be your ticket to further advancement, and could also keep you fresh and excited. **End Summary** Topics: PMP certification]]> PRINCE2 certification]]> ITIL certification]]> program management certification]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager. John's web site, http://www.pmtrainingonline.com provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs. John also writes regularly in his blog, PMcrunch.com ( http://pmcrunch.com ).

Project Management Training: So Many Options!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:44:24 -0400

This article provides information to help professionals concerned with choosing PMT at the organizational level. It also provides ideas for individual professional project managers who are seeking the ideal form of PMT to advance their careers. Here are some ideas for identifying the most appropriate PMT for an organization or individual: 1.Align PMT to Current Challenges Organizations must be clear on where they are on the project management maturity continuum and match PMT to individuals to accomplish overall objectives. For individual professionals, looking at specific challenges, such as gathering clear requirements for a project, can be the best place to start. In the case of an organization, care must be taken to determine if PMT on a particular project management methodology or framework is appropriate, and individuals must likewise determine whether this strategy at the individual level might help them contribute to their organizations. 2.Select Best Delivery Methods As a second step, it is necessary to consider preferred delivery methods for PMT. The typical delivery methods include classroom, audio, and online PMT. Classroom training Classroombased PMT enables students to give full, undistracted attention to learning. Within an organization, it can also serve as a team building exercise! **End Summary** Topics: Project Management Training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. Project Management Training provides online PMT for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs.

The Ups and Downs of Strategies for Earning PDUs

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:41:02 -0400

Many of us PMPs struggle with just how to earn our required 60 PMP PDUs (Professional Development Units) every 3 years. I will not repeat the strategies for personal PDU management as listed in prior articles by me - see Earning PDUs and Maintaining PMP PgMP Status Is Easy and 6 Things to Consider in Your PDU Planning - and others, but I will talk a bit about aligning your current career strategy with your PMP PDU strategy. Efficiency, Competence, and...STRATEGY As busy professionals, we need to make to most of our time. We need to do things efficiently and competently. I will also add that we must do things "strategically" because this is the key to what I have in mind. I will also add that it is the area that has also been most challenging to me. We need to look at our situations and think about where we are and how we got here. We also, at least as importantly, need to think about we we are going and how we are going to get there. Out of this exercise usually comes some sort of strategy. **End Summary** Topics: pmp pdu]]> pmi pdu]]> pdu management]]> pmp pdus]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager. John's web site, http://www.pmtrainingonline.com provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs. John also writes regularly in his blog, PMcrunch.com ( http://pmcrunch.com ).

Project Management Training Courses: So Many Options!

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This article provides some guidance to help project managers more easily sift through the myriad of options and find the ideal set of project management training courses for their situation. Here are some steps a project manager can take to identify the most beneficial project management training courses for their situation: 1. Match Training to Current Challenges A great place to start is to first look at current challenges and problems. For example, Project Managers often have challenges gathering clear requirements for the project, or maybe have special challenges with stakeholders on their projects.Another complex multi-dimensional issue is project communications. Other less experienced project managers might like to work on their basic management skills. This may involve taking project management training courses covering a broad project management methodology or framework and enhancing professional credentials by earning a project management certification. 2. Select Best Delivery Methods As a second step, it is necessary to consider preferred methods of delivery for the project management courses. The most popular include classroom, audio, and online project management training. Classroom training Project Management Training Courses in the classroom enable students to give full, undistracted attention to learning. **End Summary** Topics: Project Management Training Courses]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. Project Management Training Courses provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs.

Project Management Courses: So Many Options!

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This article provides some guidance to help project managers take some first steps in running the gauntlet of options to find the ideal set of PM Courses for their situation, and get the most out of them. Here are some steps a project manager can take to begin to identify the most beneficial PMC for themselves: 1. Look at Current Challenges One way best ways to start is to first identify current challenges and problems. For example, Project Managers often experience special challenges with stakeholders on their projects, such as identifying, communicating, coordinating, and more. Another frequently cited challenge is gathering clear requirements for the project. Another popular topic is project communications, which can have many dimensions. Many project managers are new to management and would like to enhance their management skills. Frequently the best choice is simply to take PMT courses covering a broad PM framework or methodology and earn a PM certification to enhance personal credentials. 2. Consider Various Delivery Methods As a second step, it is helpful to consider the preferred method of delivery of the PMC. In general, the most popular delivery methods include classroom training, audio training, and online PMT. **End Summary** Topics: project management training courses]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. John's web site, project management training courses provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs.

Project Management Training Course Opportunities Abound

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

You can start the process of choosing a PMT course by first looking at the problems you are facing today. For example, perhaps you are having stakeholder issues, or maybe gathering requirements effectively is your current challenge. Communications issues on your project may also be the issue of the. Perhaps at this point in your career you would like to enhance your management skills, or maybe you simply want to learn a PM methodology or framework or enhance your credentials by earning a PM certification. With a clear idea of your burning issues in mind, you will want to consider your preferred method of delivery for your PMTC. These typically include classroom training, audio training, and OPM training. Classroom training has the advantage that you are away from daily distractions and can give undivided attention to your PMT course. There also is great value in being in the same room with instructor and students, which is helping for learning as well as networking. However, the benefits come at a price as classroom training is expensive, often involves travel, involves the opportunity cost of missing work time, and needs to be scheduled. **End Summary** Topics: Project Management Training Course]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. Project Management Training Course provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs.

Project Management Course Choices Abound

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This article outlines the top considerations for identifying the best PMC for you as an individual, as well as how to get the most out of it personally and for your career. One way great way to begin to choose a PM course is to look at the problems you are facing today. For example, perhaps you are having some special challenges dealing with stakeholders. Maybe gathering requirements effectively is your current challenge. Often times you can identify communications problems on your project and would like to learn more about tools and techniques for managing these problems. Perhaps you would like to enhance your management skills. Perhaps also, you simply would like to learn a broad PM framework or methodology and earn a PM certification to enhance your credentials. Once you have this idea in mind, it is also helpful to consider the method of delivery that you prefer for the PM course. The typical delivery methods include classroom training, audio training, and online PM training. Classroom training has the advantage that you can give it your full attention as you are away from daily distractions. **End Summary** Topics: Project Management Course]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified PMP. Project Management Course provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs.

Top 10 Benefits to Earning a Certification

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Is it worth it for you to put in all of the work? Consider these, and if you see the benefits for your situation, go for it! 1. A differentiator against the competition - When employers are interviewing, the competition is often stiff. If you have the certification, and the other person does not, you are at a definite advantage. 2. Plugs you into 2 new communities: one that is earning the certification, and one that has the certification. For example, if you are going for your, you will immediately have something in common with other hopefuls, and this can provide networking opportunties through classes, the web, and meetings. The same holds true when you have earn the certification; you are a member of the club. While these are, the same would hold true of most certifications. 3. Gives you confidence that you have passed through the chairs - When you have set your sights on a goal, put together a plan, work hard, and you reach it, you gain confidence, which spills over into all aspects of your life. 4. **End Summary** Topics: Project Management certification]]> PMP Certification]]> IT certification]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Reiling consults mainly in IT Project Management and runs several web sites, including: project management certification and PMP certification , IT certification , Lean Six Sigma certification , and PMcrunch .