Messages posted by: ospinternational

Most exams cover material you’ve studied but sometimes the PMP exam includes questions that were not in the version of the PMBOK guide that you have studied. This can really throw you for a loop but if you’re prepared for it, it won’t be such a shock. The thing to remember is that the PMBOK guide is just that - a guide, not an exact accounting of every tool and concept that you will be using as a project manager and PMP. For instance, techniques such as AON and AOA are still used by project managers around the world even though they were removed from the PMBOK Guide.

Remember that PMI states that you will be tested on concepts that may not be found in the PMBOK Guide but they do not tell you where you can find those concepts. You shouldn’t let this sway your confidence, though, as many concepts and techniques are built on basic building blocks. You will most likely be able to understand the question, analyze the information and pick the best answer. If not, then there is only one thing to do: pick an answer and then simply move one and relax.

Remember, everyone will probably encounter one or more of these questions. The key is not to panic, keep your cool and do your best. If you’ve studied properly, you’ll pass the test!

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from the Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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In a project, several risk response strategies are used to effectively manage project risks. The strategy or mix of strategies should be used when planning for risk responses. Which of the following statements best describes an 'accept' strategy for negative risks or threats?

A.) Adopting less complex processes is an accept strategy.

B.) Use of insurance is part of an accept strategy.

C.) Using contingency reserve is part of accept strategy.

D.) Extending schedule is part of an accept strategy.

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Hint: A risk acceptance strategy is adopted because it is seldom possible to eliminate all threats from a project. One of the risk acceptance strategies is performed in the early stages of planning. Find the option which is performed during planning.

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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try the PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

ANSWER AND EXPLANATION:
The correct answer is C
Explanation: The most common risk acceptance strategy in a project is to establish contingency reserves.
Reference: PMBOK4 - pg:304

Hello All,

I'm sharing the 2nd step video with you. This will teach us how to go through the 9-page application as part of the requirement in taking the PMP certification Exam. Some project managers see this as an impending task because it details the whole project management experience - a project in itself.

Let's learn how to tackle this the fun and easy way:
http://bit.ly/pKAs2j

Enjoy!

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

We recently received the following question from a PMP Exam Student:
"There's some confusion in my head with regards to some of the network diagram calculations. I'm lead to believe there are actually two methods to calculate ES, LF, ES etc etc

The first method adds or subtracts 1 where applicable. This assumes that the start activity has ES, EF, LS and LF as 1. The second method assumes the start activity has zeros for all values thereby not having to add or subtract 1 to any of the formulas.

Is there any indication in the exam that would lead me into knowing which "method" is being utilised so that I can apply the right formula?"

I answered that he is correct. there are indeed 2 approaches:
- First approach: You calculate the network diagram starting on day 0
- Second approach: You calculate the network diagram starting on day 1

I personally use the second approach, because when my sponsor tells me, that my project starts on the first day of September, then that is September 1 and not September 0. This is also the way that all modern scheduling tools seem to work. You schedule your project based on a calendar start date and not "on day 0".

That is why there is a slight difference between the calculations (you have to add/subtract 1 from the results in the 2nd approach). However, don't worry about this for the exam too much. The way that the question is formulated you should be able to identify how to go about this. Also: I understand that in most cases when you have to calculate this, it is the end result that is important and not how you got there.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCastTM - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management PodcastTM - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from The Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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The team members follow what the project manager tells them because they fear that
the manager has the authority to provide negative feedback in their appraisal. Which of
the following types of power describe this situation?

A) Referent Power
B) Formal Power
C) Technical Power
D) Coercive Power

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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try The PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The Correct Answer is D.

We recently received the following question from a PMP Exam Student:
“There's some confusion in my head with regards to some of the network diagram calculations. I'm lead to believe there are actually two methods to calculate ES, LF, ES etc etc

The first method adds or subtracts 1 where applicable. This assumes that the start activity has ES, EF, LS and LF as 1. The second method assumes the start activity has zeros for all values thereby not having to add or subtract 1 to any of the formulas.

Is there any indication in the exam that would lead me into knowing which "method" is being utilised so that I can apply the right formula?”

I answered that he is correct. there are indeed 2 approaches:
- First approach: You calculate the network diagram starting on day 0
- Second approach: You calculate the network diagram starting on day 1

I personally use the second approach, because when my sponsor tells me, that my project starts on the first day of September, then that is September 1 and not September 0. This is also the way that all modern scheduling tools seem to work. You schedule your project based on a calendar start date and not "on day 0".

That is why there is a slight difference between the calculations (you have to add/subtract 1 from the results in the 2nd approach). However, don't worry about this for the exam too much. The way that the question is formulated you should be able to identify how to go about this. Also: I understand that in most cases when you have to calculate this, it is the end result that is important and not how you got there.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from The Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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You are the project manager of a dress manufacturing company. You have been asked to estimate for a project that requires you to create 500 shirts. You know from experience that since the time required by a person to create a shirt is 8 hours, the total effort required would be 4000 person hours. Which estimation technique are you using here?

A) Analogous
B) Bottom up
C) Three point
D) Parametric

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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try The PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCastTM - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management PodcastTM - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The Correct Answer is D.

Hi All,

Practice on 1,800 highly realistic PMP Exam sample questions based on the current PMBOK Guide.

Learn more here - http://bit.ly/mJhBMD

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from The Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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Which of the following is an example of a 360 degree feedback?

A) Feedback to a team member from his superior
B) Feedback to a team member from his peers
C) Feedback to a team member from all sources
D) Feedback to a team member from his subordinates

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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try The PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The Correct Answer is C.

Hi All,

Ready to take the PMP Exam?

Assess how you will do at the actual PMP Exam by practicing with The PM Exam Simulator through this link: http://bit.ly/l3hsR9

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

In the coming weeks, we will be reviewing the 8 interpersonal skills that the PMBOK Guide calls out specifically, which a project manager needs to possess. We begin with leadership.

Leadership is one of the important skills that a good project manager must possess. The reason for this is that in many cases, the project manager doesn’t have any authority over the team members for a project. This means he or she must manage the project through leadership.

Although it can be more difficult to manage through leadership rather than authority, it is usually more effective because it is built on trust and respect.

A leader is especially important at the beginning of a project to define the vision of the project and communicate this vision to the team. This helps all of the team members to get on board with the goals of the project. Good leadership skills will also keep the members inspired and motivated to do their best work.

Unfortunately, leadership is difficult to teach from books (or tips like this one). You can learn the basics from the written word, but then you need to show that you “have it” by applying it on the job. For the PMP exam it is important that you recognize situations that require leadership and that you are able to select the appropriate action.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from The Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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A project manager wants to display and communicate the results of PERT and Critical Path analysis in a simple chart that can be readily understood by those who are not involved in the detail of the project. Which of the following charts should she use?

A) Milestone chart
B) Flow chart
C) Gantt chart
D) Control chart

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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try The PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The Correct Answer is C.

Hi All,

Practice like “real” and pass the PMP Exam on your first try!

Watch the awesome features of The PM Exam Simulator here: http://bit.ly/iyI17Z

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

A successful project manager must have many different types of skills. Those that come to mind immediately are the technical skills that we need to put together a project plan, schedule, budget and all of the necessary documentation. It is also important for us to have the conceptual skills needed to “see” the project as it is being developed.

However, those skills won’t ensure a successful project unless the project manager is able to complement his / her technical skills with many different types of interpersonal skills.

These essential skills include the following:

Leadership
Team building
Motivation
Communication
Influencing
Decision making
Political and cultural awareness
Negotiation

Being able to call upon and apply these skills at the right moment in your project can help ensure success. We will review each of these skills in our upcoming weekly exam tips.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The following PMP® exam sample question is taken from The Free PMP Exam Simulator at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com - The answer is at the very bottom:

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You are the project manager of a project that is in its early phase. You need to estimate the duration of implementing the project. Based on your experience with similar past projects, you estimate a 6-month implementation time. What is this type of estimation technique called?

A) Three Point estimating
B) Bottom-up-estimating
C) WAG
D) Analogous
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All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK® Guide standard. Stop by at http://free.pm-exam-simulator.com and try The PMP Exam Simulator free for 3 days. We also offer 110 free questions at http://www.free-pm-exam-questions.com. We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.

Until next time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
The Project Management PrepCast™ - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com
The Project Management Podcast™ - http://www.project-management-podcast.com

The Correct Answer is D.