About the Content in General
The structure of the book follows the project management (PM) process
sequence, and PMI-PMP exam learning objectives, of Project Initiation
(chapters 2 & 3); Project Planning (chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7);
Project Execution (chapters 8 & part 9); Project Control (chapters
9 & 10); Project Closing (chapter 11) and Professional Responsibility
(chapter 12). As a I mentioned earlier, the basic source is the
PMBOK Guide and as readers of the Guide well know, the PMBOK Guide
consists of twelve chapters each dedicated to a particular project
management knowledge specialty area. Since each of these areas generally
track through the PM process sequence it can be seen that Kim's
book "slices the cake" in the transverse direction.
As Kim says "Like the exam itself, this study guide is organized
in terms of process groups and the natural sequence of events a
project goes through in its life cycle."[1] I shall have comments to make on that later, nonetheless,
in my view, she has done a masterful job of this translation, albeit
difficult at times, and best of all, she even manages to make sense
out of it. The book starts out with a description and benefits of
PMP certification, the exam objectives and tips for taking it. A
self-assessment set of 60 questions,[2] with explanatory answers in a subsequent
section, helps to convince you to read the rest of the book or,
at least, determine on which sections to concentrate. There are
also review questions at the end of each chapter to check out what
you've learned and two practice exams are included in the package
to complete your studies. To be honest, I have tried very few of
the questions for two very good reasons:
- For the exam you need to know an awful lot of jargon specific
to the PMBOK Guide that is not necessarily appropriate for your
project environment, and
- I am quite hopeless at multiple-choice questions anyway.
Each chapter identifies "Exam Essentials" and the key
terms encountered in the chapter. This is a useful way to emphasize
the exam topics and will satisfy those who are more concerned with
passing the exam with minimum effort than with understanding the
realities of project management. When trying to convey a broader
knowledge of project management, rather than just parrot-like learning,
class room teachers will be familiar with the students' cry "Is
it on the exam?"
The book's content is illustrated from time to time with "Real
World Scenarios" and a project case study. These are all projects
from a business environment, perhaps because they represent the
most "generic" type of project and are readily understood
by exam takers. The topic text is in a similar vein which is perhaps
not surprising considering that the author and technical editors
are all from the IS/IT sector. Since this sector now represents
the largest section of PMI membership, the book should appeal to
the broadest audience.
1.
PMP Study Guide p XIX
2. PMP Study Guide p XXVIII
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Introduction
