Some how, there is a general perception that
Project Management Professional credential is very difficult to achieve. Some times some of my students get panicked with this, and they tend to pass this on to others in the batch also. It is some sort of epidemic among the aspirants. The panic trigger (the one who brings and spreads panic within the group) comes into the training program with the whole list of books available on project management /
Project Management Professional preparation. Some times even carry one into the class. Talks authoritatively about the experience of others and sometimes is very close minded. He or she tend to think that, whatever they practise within their organization is the correct procedure and there cannot be anything better than that. This person goes to the extent of bringing in thousands of questions (of course pirated, and irrelevant) and starts distributing to the class members. The net effect, absolute panic in the class, and those weak in their heart and not so experienced falls prey to this. very often, the panick trigger, fares bad in the exam, where as some quiet guy, sitting in that corner of the class comes out with flying colors, in the final exam.
Very often, the training organizations also hypes it up, projecting how difficult it is to clear the
Project Management Professional credential examination, with a view to charge exhorbitant fees from the participants.
Is it that difficult?
My answer is 'NO'. One can make it difficult but actually it is not at all, as difficult as your graduation examination. Ant graduate with 4 years in the industry can achieve this credential with the right kind of preparation. The key is focus and the right selection of course material and training. There is no point in going after everything available under the sun, about project management. About 70 to 80 hours of preparation, with the right kind of mentoring and material will make it easy. The challenge is in making it easier, and it is easy to make it complex.
So dont worry. You can do it with ease and confidence, if your method, material and mentor are the right ones. After all, you manage projects and the essence of project management is in not allowing the projects to manage you.
Let us understand this.