If you need help simplifying PMP concepts in a way that really makes sense, reach out and I'll teach you and create a plan that works for you: 757-759-5282.

In this episode, you'll hear the inspiring success story of Craig, who transitioned from the military to PMP-certified professional. Craig put in the work, stayed disciplined, and in the process discovered how to make even the most complex PMP concepts simple and clear.

Craig drops ginormous value bombs you can use right now:

• How to approach the PMP exam like learning a new language

• Why simplicity is the key to retention and confidence

• The study practices that gave him clarity and speed on exam day

• How to take what he learned and apply it directly to your own journey

Craig doesn't just tell his story — he leaves behind a roadmap anyone can follow. If you're preparing for the PMP and feel overwhelmed, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to push through.

📌 Key takeaway: You don't need to overcomplicate PMP prep. With focus, discipline, and the right strategies, you can simplify the language, master the mindset, and succeed on exam day.

👉 Want Scott to build you a study plan, review your weak spots, or coach you all the way to PMP success? Call or text 757-759-5282.

If you need help simplifying PMP concepts in a way that really makes sense, reach out and I'll teach you and create a plan that works for you: 757-759-5282.

This is Part 2 of our deep dive into procurement, inspired by a listener who texted me after struggling with procurement questions on a mock exam.

In Part 1, we broke down the contract families — Fixed Price, Cost-Plus, and Time & Materials — and made it clear who benefits and why. We even cleared up the biggest confusion point: Cost-Plus vs. T&M (Receipts vs. Rate Card).

Now in Part 2, we take it further and uncover why PMI often wants you to pick the process answer instead of the contract answer.

We cover:

• Why the exam loves "use the organizational procurement process"

• Breaking down the acronyms: make-or-buy, sourcing plan, RFX, evaluation criteria, and MSA (with simple, fun analogies)

• What multi-tiered contracts really are and why PMI includes them

• The top exam traps in procurement and how to avoid them

• Quick-fire scenarios that tie it all together

📌 Key takeaway from Part 2: PMI doesn't want cowboy project managers freelancing contracts. They want you to know when to lean on the organizational process, and how risk, governance, and structure create trust and clarity.

👉 Want Scott to build you a study plan, review your weak spots, or coach you all the way to PMP success? Call or text 757-759-5282.

If you need help simplifying PMP concepts in a way that really makes sense, reach out and I'll teach you and create a plan that works for you: 757-759-5282.

This episode kicks off a two-part deep dive into procurement, inspired by a listener who texted me after struggling with procurement questions on a mock exam.

In Part 1, we cover:

• Why procurement feels so confusing on the PMP exam

• The three contract families — Fixed Price, Cost-Plus, and Time & Materials

• Who benefits and why under each type (buyer, seller, or both)

• A direct comparison of Cost-Plus vs. T&M (Receipts vs. Rate Card)

• A quick-fire exercise with real (and funny) scenarios to lock it in

I wrap Part 1 by teeing up what's next, because procurement isn't just about contracts — it's about process.

In Part 2, we'll break down:

• Why the exam loves "use the organizational procurement process"

• The make-or-buy decision, sourcing plans, RFX, evaluation criteria, and MSA (explained in plain English)

• Multi-tiered contract structures and why PMI loves them

• The most common exam traps and how to avoid them

📌 Key takeaway from Part 1: Contracts are just risk-placement tools. Know who's holding the hot potato, and you'll know who benefits.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll finish the journey and connect it back to how PMI wants you to think on exam day.

👉 Want Scott to build you a study plan, review your weak spots, or coach you all the way to PMP success? Call or text 757-759-5282.

If you need help with PMP questions and you want to pass the PMP exam, call me, Scott, at 757-759-5282 and we'll talk through a plan for you.

In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mistakes smart professionals make when tackling PMP exam questions: they fight the system. Instead of stepping into the role of a project leader, they slip back into an individual contributor mindset—arguing about how unrealistic the question is, or how the team "should have done it differently."

But on the exam, and in real project management, your job isn't to nitpick the system. Your job is to conduct the orchestra.

I walk you through an example to show how shifting your perspective—from player to conductor—completely changes how you approach questions and situations. Once you stop fighting the question and start thinking like the orchestrator, the right answers become clear.

Tune in to reframe how you think, approach PMP questions with confidence, and start leading like the conductor your team (and your exam) needs.

If you want the same kind of help James got to crush his PMP exam, call me directly at 757-759-5282.

This episode is pure fire. 🎤 James just passed the PMP Exam and came back to drop straight knowledge bombs on one of our Hard Questions Made Easy calls. He breaks down exactly how he studied, how he stayed confident, and how he kept his mindset locked in all the way through exam day.

All I had to do was throw him a few questions—James did the rest. His insights on how to overcome fear, build confidence, and master the exam will get you pumped up and ready to succeed.

If you've been wondering how real students make it to the finish line, this conversation will give you the clarity, energy, and belief that you can do it too.

Tune in, take notes, and let James show you what's possible.

What separates students who pass the PMP from those who give up or stall out? It's not talent. It's not luck. It's the tiny decisions they make — every single day.

In this episode, Scott shares a raw, real-life moment and unpacks the daily discipline that fuels real success. You'll learn:

• Why "just one day off" can kill your momentum

• How to shift from chasing results to building habits

• Why you should celebrate small wins like a maniac

• The weight-loss metaphor that explains why your progress feels invisible

• 5 small things you can do today to stay in the fight

This episode is a wake-up call and a roadmap. Listen in, lock in, and recommit to the daily habits that move the needle — even when it's dark, cold, or you're just not feeling it.

If you love these stories and want more, reach out to me at 757-759-5282.

Ever waited at a restaurant while everyone's food was ready except one steak — and the whole table had to wait? That's the critical path in action. In this episode, Scott Payne breaks down how a dinner out mirrors the reality of project schedules. You'll learn:

• Why the slowest task (the "steak") determines when the whole project is done

• How dependencies create chains that can make or break your timeline

• The role of float (wiggle room) in keeping things flexible

• What Goldratt's "Herbie" teaches us about bottlenecks

• How to spot and manage your own project's critical path

By the end, you'll see how understanding your critical path — and focusing resources where it matters most — keeps your project moving and your team finishing strong.

If you have more questions about XP, reach out to me at 757-759-5282 or Jimi at www.fearlessagility.com.

Jimi is the absolute best. You will love this episode. Jimi from Fearless Agility to unpack Extreme Programming (XP) — what it really is, why it was created, and why it still matters today. He dives DEEEP into its core practices like pair programming and continuous integration, the myths that keep teams from embracing it, and how XP fits with Scrum and modern Agile.

If you like these PMP stories and want more, reach out to me, Scott, at 757-759-5282.

In this episode, I break down why the PMO is like air traffic control for your projects. Pilots (project managers) fly the planes, but the PMO clears the runways, prevents collisions, and makes sure the right projects land at the right time. Without it, chaos takes over.

If your organization feels like 30 planes circling the same runway, this episode will show you why a PMO isn't bureaucracy — it's the system that creates clarity, alignment, and real value.

If you love this style of story-based teaching, reach out to me: 757-759-5282 LEGO isn't just a toy—it's a masterclass in project management. In this episode, You and I sit down at the dining room table with a massive LEGO Hogwarts set and realizes: this isn't just building for fun—it's a live-action lesson in scope, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), scheduling, cost estimation, and integration.

Using vivid storytelling and real-life project parallels, you will learn to realize:

• How the picture on the LEGO box is actually the project scope

• Why the numbered bags represent perfect Work Packages

• How the step-by-step instructions are just like a project schedule

• What LEGO teaches us about cost control

• And how all of it—scope, schedule, and cost—must work together to deliver magic

Whether you're a PMP veteran or a curious builder, this episode will change the way you see LEGOs—and your next project.