This article introduces the PMI-PfMP exam preparation books that I used to pass the PMI-PfMP exam. Highly recommended for PMI-PfMP certification aspirants, considering I passed the PMI-PfMP exam from my first attempt.
Reference one: Must use
THE STANDARD FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. 3rd EDITION BY PMI
The Standard for Portfolio Management – Third Edition identifies portfolio management processes generally recognized as good practices. “Generally recognized” means that the knowledge and practices described are applicable to most portfolios most of the time, and that there is widespread consensus about their value and usefulness. “Good practice” means there is general agreement that the application of these skills, tools, and techniques can enhance the chances of success over a wide range of portfolios. Good practice does not mean the knowledge described should always be applied uniformly to all portfolios; the organization and portfolio manager are responsible for determining what is appropriate for any given portfolio.
The Standard for Portfolio Management also provides and promotes a common vocabulary within the portfolio management profession for discussing, writing, and applying portfolio management concepts.
This standard is an expansion of and companion to information already provided in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fifth Edition [1],1 The Standard for Program Management – Third Edition [2], and Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3®) – Third Edition [3]. As a foundational reference, this standard is neither intended to be comprehensive nor all-inclusive. This standard is a guide rather than a methodology. One can use different methodologies and tools to implement the processes described herein.
This standard is structured as per the five domains of the PMI-PfMP exam, starting with the strategic management, governance management, performance management, communication management, and risk management. It is covering the 16 processes of the portfolio management which you need to master in order to pass the PMI-PfMP exam.
My learning experience with this guide
This book definitely helped me to understand the topics of the PMI-PfMP® exam as well as form a mental picture of the portfolio management processes and knowledge areas. In total, I spent about three weeks reading this study guide and making my notes, about one hour a weekday and four hours on weekend days. Keep in mind that this is the first and must-read reference for the PMI-PfMP exam preparation as recommended by PMI.
About the author
The PMI provides services including the development of standards, research, education, publication, networking-opportunities in local chapters, hosting conferences and training seminars, and providing accreditation in project management.
Reference two: Optional!
Recognizing the importance of portfolio management, the Project Management Institute (PMI®) has launched a new certification entitled the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP®). PfMP® Exam Practice Tests and Study Guide is the most comprehensive resource available to help you prepare for and pass the PfMP® certification exam. It provides coverage that is current with The Standard for Portfolio Management, Third Edition and the PfMP® Examination Content Outline (ECO), 2013.In addition to study hints and exam topics, this book provides references to tools and techniques that should be incorporated into your work immediately. For each of the five domains outlined in the PMI Examination Content Outline 2013 (the ECO), twenty practice questions test your knowledge. Also included is a challenging 200-question practice exam, which is representative of the actual exam.
The book consists of five sections, each of which corresponds to one of the five domains described in the ECO. Each section includes study hints, a list of major topics that may be encountered on the exam, and 20 multiple-choice practice questions that illustrate the applicable task from the ECO. Each section also includes an answer sheet and answer key with the rationale for each correct answer and references to the Standard. Supporting references are also listed at the end of the book for each of the domains covered on the exam.
The two accompanying online tests feature a proprietary scoring algorithm to help you determine if you are Proficient, Moderately Proficient, or Below Proficient in each domain. Earning the PfMP® certification is a prestigious accomplishment. By studying this book and using the practice exams provided, you will significantly improve your chances of passing the exam, the first time around.
About the author
Dr. Ginger Levin is a Senior Consultant and Educator in project management. Her specialty areas are portfolio management, program management, the Project Management Office, metrics, and maturity assessments. She is certified as a PMP, PgMP and as an OPM3 Certified Professional. She was the second person in the world to receive the PgMP. As an OPM3 Certified Professional, she has conducted over 25 maturity assessments using the OPM3 Product Suite tool.
Dr. Levin is also an Adjunct Professor for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where she teaches in its M.S. in Project Management Program, for SKEMA (formerly Esc Lille) University, France, and RMIT in Melbourne, Australia in their doctoral programs in project management. In consulting, she has served as Project Manager in numerous efforts for Fortune 500 and public sector clients, including Genentech, Cargill, Abbott Vascular, UPS, Citibank, the Food and Drug Administration, General Electric, SAP, EADS, John Deere, Schreiber Foods, TRW, New York City Transit Authority, the U.S. Joint Forces Command, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prior to her work in consulting, she held positions of increasing responsibility with the U.S. Government, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and the General Accounting Office.
Preview the PfMP® Exam Practice Tests and Study Guide
You can take a look and read dozens of pages of the PfMP® Exam Practice Tests and Study Guide by clicking the link below. You will be redirected to amazon website where you can flip through the book just as you are holding it in a bookstore, refer to the link here for FREE preview. If you don’t prefer a paper book, you can preview the Kindle Edition here.
Reference three: Optional!
Sensible Guide to Passing the PfMP SM Exam: Including 400 Practice Exams Questions 1st Edition
Written by a certified PfMP®, this book is the first and only book on the market created by a PfMP credential holder and by a PMI Registered Education Provider. In addition to being an university professor for over a dozen years, the author is also an experienced and practicing portfolio leader who is leading project portfolios of over $100 million in addition to building large PMOs. Beyond these attributes, this is also the only book that addresses one of the biggest challenges for busy professionals as they tackle the PfMP exam – how to develop the optimal mindset required to think like a portfolio manager to address the experience-based questions. Similar but more extensive than other PMI certifications, the PfMP exam questions are heavily experience based. This means the mere memorization of PMI’s recommended books is not sufficient. The book introduces a proven approach to satisfactorily completing the exam and it includes 400 practice questions, exam aids, lesson plans, and important concepts. To prepare for the “experience-based” questions, the author has taken a Socratic approach based on questions and answers to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. Beyond the basic, this guide contains additional sample deliverables and approaches that will help you professionally.
This book is part of a larger suite of products and services to help organizations and project professionals to achieve execution excellence. The author’s company, PMO Advisory, also offers additional PfMP practice questions and two types of bootcamps.
About the author
Te Wu, PfMP, PgMP, PMP is the CEO of PMO Advisory LLC, a management consulting firm and a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) dedicated to strategy and business execution excellence and project management training. He has more than 20 years of experience managing large and complex initiatives and leading PMOs. In additional, for more than 13 years, he has been teaching management, international business, and project management at multiple universities in the metro New York area. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and universities. Recently, he is spearheading an ongoing research program understanding the challenges and value of business execution: http: //www.pmoadvisory.com/strategicbusinessexecution/
Preview the Sensible Guide to Passing the PfMP SM Exam: Including 400 Practice Exams Questions
You can take a look and read dozens of pages of the Sensible Guide to Passing the PfMP SM Exam: Including 400 Practice Exams Questions by clicking the link below. You will be redirected to amazon website where you can flip through the book just as you are holding it in a bookstore, refer to the link here for FREE preview. If you don’t prefer a paper book, you can preview the Kindle Edition here
