4 Levels of Study for the PMP Exam

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Introduction

Do you know that you may have been studying for the PMP exam wrong all along? Trying to tackle everything all at once, instead of breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces, is not the most effective approach. Just as we use the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to decompose projects, you should apply the same principle to your PMP exam preparation. This iterative learning process, where you paint a layer of understanding each time, is crucial for truly mastering the material.

I've been teaching the PMP for nearly 20 years, and one fundamental truth I've learned is that information needs to be layered to stick and make sense. You have to be comfortable with a high-level understanding before progressively delving deeper. It’s like painting a fence – you can't expect the entire syllabus to fall into place in one day. Instead, you build your knowledge layer by layer, with each iteration reinforcing and expanding upon the previous one. It's said that people need to hear things seven times before they truly grasp them, and this principle holds especially true in the context of PMP preparation.

When it comes to project management, understanding the interplay between people, process, and business is vital. This hybrid approach applies to Agile, Predictive, and Hybrid frameworks alike, each requiring a distinct focus on these three pillars.

The Philosophy of Iterative LearningPeople, Process, and Business: A Hybrid Approach