Today I passed my PMP exam and I am pleased with the effort. I’ve passed several Microsoft certification exams, but the PMP exam was unlike any of them. By comparison it was a marathon compared to running 15K.
I have been managing projects for JUMP since 2001 and have completed the training offered by the “School of Experience.” In my opinion, the best project managers graduate from this school. I believe its why PMI focuses on experience during the application process. The application takes a few hours to put together, and the test preparation requires many additional hours, but the experience is worth the effort.
The discipline of project management requires constant review and modification (in education we used to call it monitor and adjust). The benefits of the practice is that project managers realize they are constantly learning to be better leaders. Sitting in the exam room for four hours running formulas, answering questions, and relying on my memory of principles made me appreciate the education and experience more than I ever have before.
I enjoy this profession, and I enjoy other people I work with in the profession. And as often as I have the opportunity, I will tip my hat at others who have sought and earned the PMP credential.