The PMP certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is a premier credential for professionals in many fields, including IT. A PMP cert requires that a degreed candidate document a minimum of 4500 hours of project management work experience over a minimum of 3 years. A candidate with no bachelor's degree must document a minimum of 7500 hours over a minimum of 5 years. In addition, a PMP candidate must pass the PMP exam and maintain continuing education credits.
The Book
Candidates for the PMP who want a book that is easier to read than the PMI Handbook and will fully prepare them for the exam, will be pleasantly rewarded by Kim Heldman's PMP Study Guide. The third edition of the book offers assessment tests, chapter review questions (with answers immediately following), two PMP practice exams and two CAPM practice exams. The Deluxe Edition includes a bonus workbook section with more than 50 exercises, and six PMP practice exams. Both versions cover the entire project lifecycle with the help of real-world scenarios and using a fictional project case study. The scenarios are understandable and do a good job of driving home the intended concepts. The fictional case study is built upon throughout the book and shows how a project manager might use and combine aspects of the PMBOK processes to plan, execute and complete a project.The Content
Each chapter begins by identifying the PMP exam objectives that will be covered. The chapter continues with very well-written and organized text, punctuated by scenarios, and ends with an application of the case study, a summary, a highlight of exam essentials, key terms, review questions, and answers to the questions. I particularly like the use of very helpful notes and exam tips throughout the text. These short and digestible bits of information offer insight into precisely what to focus on for the exam and help interpret information found in the PMBOK.The fact that the book is not organized precisely according to the exam objectives offers the chance to learn rather than memorize, Unlike the PMBOK, Heldman chooses to present the information by project sequence rather than Knowledge Management Area. Most consider this an improvement over the PMBOK because it follows the logical progression of the project and offers a better perspective for learning the material. Each chapter clearly states which objectives are being covered.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking to obtain the PMP certification, or if you are searching for a book that will raise your understanding of project management concepts and methodologies, then buy Kim Hedlman's PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide. Go for the Deluxe Edition; the workbook and extra practice exams are worth the extra 15 to 20 dollars. Whichever edition you pick, you will not be disappointed.