Villanova University-PMP Prep Course

I have signed up for the PMP prep course and I hope I can write as honestly as I can about it while I take this one month journey.

Week 1- Introduction

Once you are enrolled in the course, the rest of the process happens systematically without any glitches. The course is complimentary  and I have to write about it in the blog. The Villanova team were gracious enough to mail me the course materials to India.

The course material includes a set of 4 books and 2 CD’s. Books include the detailed course materials almost in a workbook like structure.

It comes with an online access that is sent before the course begins. The login gives you access to all the materials as well the videos that you can choose to watch online or through CD.

So, even if you are on the move you can always access your course as long as you are connected to the web.

The course

It’s precise and well represented. If you want to prep in details you can always read the course material before. I went for the online video directly. While you listen to the video, you can also read through the texts available in the left side of the screen.

It’s to the point, simple and structured as you would expect the course to be.

I’ll continue writing about in the coming weeks, so till then enjoy your Monday and plan out what you want to do to get certified.

(Disclosure: this is a complimentary package, I haven't paid for the course)

Pic Courtesy

Wait- are you done?

And giving up?

Stop, get out of the room you are in and get some fresh air.

Behind every successful person are some bigger failures and your life is no exception. So don’t think you aren’t made for the job, or you can’t make it.

It happened to me and perhaps it has happened to so many.

If you are feeling really low, talk to your mentor or your friend and let the feeling out. 

Once done, walk back to your board/diary and write down objectively why things are happening they way they are and if you can change.  Work on yourself and at least for a few days try taking yourself not too seriously.

Let time take its course and then see what changes.

Bottomline- stop freaking out and don’t give up impulsively. 

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Guest Posts and Podcast

Hope you are having a great week, while I juggle my timer schedule and try to squeeze in more – here’s some guest posts and interview I did over the last few months:

Podcast 1 

Podcast 2 

Guest post at PM 4 Girls

Guest post at PM Bistro

Enjoy!

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Direction- leads your team

As simple as it sounds- clear direction is a key component of any project.

I have seen organizations where everyone assumes the other person knows everything and can move ahead. This doesn’t make sense.

So if you are a new project manager, do your team a favor and make sure they have what they need to get the work done.

Don’t assume:

• New member of your team know their role like the oldies do. They don’t, so tell them what you need from them .
• Any given work, should come with direction of deadline, limitations, what needs to be done, where the information is stored, whom can they communicate with etc. 
• By sharing information and giving directions you save time and your project by clearing off complications and wasting time.
• If you have written documents, share them. If you don’t email with bullet points, so the job role is defined.
• If you haven’t done any of the above, don’t barge in one day and tell your team that they have been lousy and not done their job on time.

Practice what you preach.

(pic:Google images)

What's in a winner?

What makes someone a winner?


You can say being at the right place at the right time, having a great networking,  and all sort of things we all say…but to top it all here is the story you can relate to. 


The drive, that’s the topper. 


So, do you have the drive in you to become a PM? What have you done? Whom have you talked to? What risks have you taken?


Write down your goals and out it somewhere you can see- on the mirror, your car dashboard, your purse. Work towards it and don’t be shy to ask for help- everyone does. Go for it even if it ends up being a mistake- you will learn on what not to do.


By the way the SIPM site has lots of Experts from all over the globe available for mentoring, even some whom you can follow for a day so you end up seeing the real life of a project manager. How cool is that!


Be you, find yourself, work on your expertise and don’t be scared to do what you are not comfortable with.


For more inspiration, read here

(Pic courtesy: google images)


Be the winner!