“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
― Mark Twain
The world of PMP is changing. Changes being the only constant in ever-pacing and dynamically changing global learning, the same applies to the profession of project management as well.
Let alone the classic world of the PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSION whereby the changes are so visible to the most strategic certification “PMP”
- More than ever worldwide changes are happening in the project management profession
- We do have more time at hand to spend if we plan and strategies it very well, it depends on us how to utilize this available time to the best of our ability
- Most importantly PMI (Project Management Institute) has come out for the first time with a new initiative of doing the PMP certification.
The format of the PMP examination changed in January 2021
“Now or never”. This is THE right time to become PMP
In 2006, after having almost a decade-plus of project management experience, I got to know about this coveted certification and noble institute named “PMI”. I connected with the “Project Management Institute Mumbai Chapter” through an acquaintance and actively researched PMI’s activities, engagements, training, and certifications. As I delved deeper, I became increasingly interested in this “not-for-profit” institute that serves the “Project Managers Professional Community” in around 200 countries worldwide and operates entirely through volunteerism.
I started doing volunteer activities in the Mumbai chapter in terms of playing an active role in the geographic expansion of the chapter and more and more towards the certification and training.
Overcoming Challenges – Balancing Work and PMP Exam Preparation
In 2007, The organization came out with a mandate that all the PMs need to be PMP Certified. I leveraged this opportunity whereby I took my PMP Preparation Course in the organization I was working as a “Project Manager”. The course was done in-house within my company by an instructor from PMI Mumbai Chapter and around 20 people attended this course. I started doing my PMP exam preparation as well. We say that it needs around 2-3 months (across 200-300 hours of average preparation), however somehow the focus was lost and I had to drop the idea of getting PMP certified to do due justice to my projects, many of them were going live in next 3-6 months. My dream to become the first PMP certified Project Manager was shattered and I couldn’t catch up to my dream.
My engagement in volunteerism started gaining ground and I got motivated further by this great institution (PMI) which started in 1969 in Houston, US by five great like-minded people. I watched a nice video and the value of this PMP certification across the globe, especially how this most coveted certification is helping out businesses across various domains across geographies, whereby I got to know the real importance of this certification and for a moment I thought that even if I have to change my job, my company, my domain or my country then this “THE CERTIFICATION” which can help me further to boost my professional career which I had started a decade back.
Learning and Applying Project Management Concepts
However, I had my whole career in front of me, I leaped over this opportunity and started preparing for the PMP exam once again, by reading the PMBOK daily basis. Initially, it was very boring, however as I moved “page-after-page” became more and more interesting and I started applying those processes in my projects. I downloaded lots of freely downloadable materials on the internet for exam preparation and a few mock tests as well.
Initially, the material reading and sample questions were difficult, and I scored not more than 50% in my mock tests, however thanks to my intrinsic motivation and encouragement from the experienced professionals, my reading further intensified, and I started preparing with a firm timeline. The project management plan was developed for the exam preparation and the end date of the exam. I read lots of material along with PMBOK and in those days lessons learned from other PMPs across the globe were very popular and I tried utilizing them.
Additionally, scheduled my examination for September 2007 and took a “Week’s leave” from my work just before the exam so that I could fully focus on the exam and studied almost 12-14 hours a day during this week, thereby revising PMBOK content, Flashcards, summaries, definitions, processes, ITTOs, etc. I had my own notes too.
PMP Experience Story – Impact of PMP Certification on My Career
At last, come 24th September 2007 (A milestone date that I will never be able to forget in my life) I appeared for the PMP and passed on the first attempt. It was a great moment and I danced in that “coveted moment in my life” which I dreamt of for a year. At last, the dream came true. I was the first PMP Certified professional in my department (Portfolio and Program Management Business Unit) and that was a very proud moment for me. All the hard work, efforts, and blessings came through. The US-based organization I worked for operated globally and had a presence around the world. People appreciated this achievement, and this also had an indirect impact on my future growth and prospects in my career.
The mistake that I made by procrastinating for a year and not appearing for the PMP exam, not being strategic enough in my thought process of the “Importance of being the first PMP certified professional in India in my division” whereby I could have very well saved that year.
We all have high pressure, work commitments, and projects, and that will never go off until you take the final breath of your life. As The great Benjamin Franklin said, “You may delay, but time will not.” And, well said by the Great Oscar Wilde “I never put off till tomorrow what I can do – the day after.”
My Advice – Don’t Wait, Start Your PMP Journey Now!
Finally wrapping up this with my advice from my PMP experience story: Never procrastinate, this is “THE right opportunity and time available with you at hand” to finish the PMP certification this year (2025).
- Put your vision and mission in place
- Define your core objective and strategic goals and write them down
- Think about this as if you are owning up to one of the most strategic projects in your career
- Create a “Project plan” for the exam preparation with the milestone date that you “MUST” achieve to be successful in your life and career
- Think about this like a “Fixed price contract” that you have signed with your life which will have a great amount of incentive (of promotion and increased remuneration – if not immediately, throughout 2-3 years post-doing PMP).
- With an attitude “Come what may” and “Do or Die “seriously march towards the preparation and implementation of your project plan” (if you wish, you can have your plan peer-reviewed)
- At last, believe in THE GOD, and trust your gut instincts, your abilities, and hard work. Efforts always pay off.
- Believe in yourself. Wish you all the best.
Signing off with my last quote:
“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
― St. Augustine of Hippo
