Organizational Structures in PMP

In most company, the organization is structured into 6 models. They are Functional, Weak Matrix, Balance Matrix, Strong Matrix, Projectized and Composite models. Details of each structure and the attributes of the project manager are listed below:

Functional

Functional organizations are entities that have a clear division regarding business units and their associated responsibility. Project managers in functional organizations have the following attributes:

• Little power
• Little autonomy
• Report directly to a functional manager
• The project manager may be known as a Project Coordinator or Team Leader
• The project manager's role is part-time
• The project team is part-time
• The project manager may have little or no administrative staff to expedite the project management activities

Matrix Structure

Matrix structures are organizations that have a blend of departmental duties and employees together on a common project. The project team member to be from multiple departments working toward the project completion. Team member will report to multiple project managers and functional managers.

Weak Matrix

In a weak matrix structure, the project team may come from different departments but the project manager reports directly to the functional manager. The project manager has the following attributes:

• Limited authority
• Management of a part-time project team
• Project role is part-time
• May be known as a project coordinator or team leader
• May have part-time administrative staff to help expedite the project

Balance Matrix

In a balance matrix, the project manager has more time and power regarding the project than a weak matrix. The attributes of a project manager in this structure are:

• Reasonable authority
• Management of a part-time project team
• Full-time role as a Project Manager
• May have part-time administrative staff to help expedite the project

Strong Matrix

Strong matrix equates to a strong project manager. The project manager has the power and time required for the project. The attributes are:

• A reasonable to high level of power
• Management of a part-time to nearly full time project team
• Full-time role as a Project Manager
• Has a full-time administrative staff to help expedite the project

Projectized Structure

The project manager in a projectized structure may have complete power over the project team. Project manager in a projectized structure enjoy a high level of autonomy over their projects but also have a higher level of responsibility regarding the project success. The attributes are:

• High to complete authority over the project
• Work full-time on the project with his team
• Has a full-time administrative staff to help expedite the project

Composite Organizations

A composite organization is a blend of multiple organization types as listed above.

PM Work Objective and Approach

As a Project Manager, the work objective includes the application of:

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Tools
• Techniques

to the project activities to meet project requirements.

As for the work approach, it includes:

• SMART (Specific, Measureable, Archievable, Realistic and Time Bound)
• Identify Requirements
• Establish Clear and Achievable Objectives
• Balance Contraints
• Adapt specifications and plans to address the different concerns of the stakholders

Tips for passing the PMP certification exam

When I was studying for my PMP exam, I found the following site which have tips on passing PMP. You can find the link below:

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878-5034989.html

PMP Pop Quiz 1

Q1
Stakeholders have ability to influence the final outcome of the project:
A. Later in the project life cycle
B. Earlier in the project life cycle
C. Anytime during the project life cycle
D. earlier in the project life cycle but increase over the life of the cycle

Q2
All of the following are part of the team's stakeholder management effort except?
A. Giving stateholder extra
B. Indentify stakeholder
C. Determining stakeholders needs
D. Managing stakeholders expectation

(To see the answers, highlight this whole topic by right click on the mouse and drag down. If you are not able to do this, please leave me a comment.)





ANS:
Q1 - C (Stakeholder has influence throughout the project life cycle)
Q2 - A (In PMP, you should give the stakeholder no more no less)

How to Manage Stakeholder in Project Lifecycle?

• Identify stakeholders in all phases of the project.
• Access their knowledge and skills to have a common background.
• Analyze and keep them involved (work as a team).
• Get their signoff and formal acceptance during closure.

In PMP, getting the signoff from the stakeholder is the most important point.

What is a Stakeholder?

Anyone whose interests may be positively or negatively impacted by the project which includes:

• Sponsor
• Customer
• PM
• Team
• End User
• Society / Citizens
• Internal / External

What should the PM deal with Stakeholder?

• Identify them
• Determine all their requirements
• Determine their expectations
  
• Communicate with them
• Manage their influence
  

What is a Project?

A project is:

• Temporary
• Unique
• Done for purpose
• Interrelated activities
  
• Progressively elaborated

PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

I have been reading a number of books on PMP exam preparation and I have also done some research on the best book available. In conclusion, this guide from Rita Mulcahy is of the highest quality.

I have extracted the editorial review from Amazon and it is listed below:

Editorial Reviews

Review
Rita's book is boon to men and women preparing to take PMI's certification examination. --- J. Davidson Frame, Ph.D., PMP and Past PMI Director of Certification

Vijay K. Verma, author of Organizing Projects for Success
"This comprehensive resource is a "must read" for those aspiring to be certified as a PMP..." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Can you imagine valuing a book so much that you send the author a "Thank You" letter?

Tens of thousands of people understand why PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy, PMP, is a worldwide best-seller. Is it Rita's years of PMP exam preparation experience? The endless hours of ongoing research? The interviews with project managers who failed the exam, to identify gaps in their knowledge? Or is it the razor-sharp focus on making sure project managers don't waste a single minute of their time studying any more than they absolutely have to? Actually, it's all of the above.

PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition by Rita Mulcahy contains hundreds of updates and improvements from previous editions--including new exercises and sample questions never before in print. Offering hundreds of sample questions, critical time-saving tips plus games and activities available nowhere else, this book will help you pass the PMP exam on your FIRST try.

From the Publisher
This is the 4th edition of the PMP Exam Prep, often called "Rita's book" by project management students, which has easily become the standard training material to help project managers pass the PMP exam. PMP Exam Prep is being used in over 43 countries.

It is more than a series of sample exams. It is a comprehensive guide to get ready to pass the PMP exam.

PMP Exam Prep goes beyond the material contained in the PMBOK incorporating input about project management from around the world. The emphasis on this publication is the tools you need to pass the exam and apply project management principles to real-world situations.

Since the world of project management is constantly being updated, RMC prides itself on keeping its materials as up-to-date as possible with frequent edits and printings. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Author
"I have tried to make the PMP Exam Prep a truly comprehensive guide to passing the PMP exam. I wanted it to be more than a rehash of the PMBOK or a series of exam questions, but a study guide that uses accelerated learning techniques to give you the most information in the least amount of time."

"I also wanted to use my experience training students to pass the PMP exam to help PMP hopefuls understand what to study and how to study and give them the best chance of passing." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author
Rita Mulcahy, PMP, has helped tens of thousands of project managers pass the PMP exam. She is an internationally-recognized expert on project management techniques, advanced project management theory, risk management and the PMP exam. Rita has over 14 years and US $2.5 billion worth of hands-on project experience, as well as 5 best-selling project management resources to her credit. She speaks to thousands of executives and project managers each year, and has a reputation for helping people to learn and to have fun while doing it.

PMP Exam Information

For PMP Examination, the following are the details:

• Exam Version : Sep 2004 ( PMBOK Third Edition )
  • No of Questions : 200 ( 25 Questions non-countable )
  • Exam Duration : 4 Hours
  • Required Passing Score : 53%
• Exam Fee : US$ 555.00 ( Non-PMI® Member ) / US$ 405.00 ( PMI® Member )
• PMI® Membership Fee : US$109.00 + US$10.00 ( Application Fee ) - So it is cheaper if you join PMI before taking the exam.
• Exam Period : Any avaliable time of Exam Center.
• Exam Procedure :
  • Candidate submit their PMP Exam Application online ( Instructor will advice how to do so on the first lesson )
  • Wait for PMI® approves your application and issue Eligibility ID, normally within 7 working days
  • Register PMP® exam via www.2test.com by using the your Eligibility ID
  • Check for Exam Center available time and Schedule the Exam
  • Take your exam

What is covered in PMP Certification

In PMP, the following topics are covered. To pass the exam, you do not need to know the details of each process. However, you should know what is the input and output of each process and how they integrate together.

• Initiate project
• Plan project work and work breakdown structure
• Develop project schedules, cost estimates, and budgets
• Plan project quality, staffing, and communications
• Analyze project risk
• Plan project procurement
• Execute project work
• Monitor and control project work
• Monitor and control project schedule and costs
• Monitor and control project quality, staffing, and communications
• Monitor and control project risks and contracts
• Close project

What is PMP

The Project Management Professional (PMP^®) Credential

Individuals who hold PMI’s PMP credential demonstrate a proficient level of project management leadership skills, and as a result are able to command salaries that exceed those of their non-credentialed counterparts.

To be eligible for a PMP credential, you must meet specific guidelines that objectively measure experience, education and professional knowledge. You also must agree to adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and pass a rigorous multiple-choice examination that assesses your abilities in project management.

Eligibility

• • Applicants must have 35 hours of specific project management education.
• • With a Bachelor’s Degree (or the global equivalent): Applicants must have a minimum three years’ professional project management experience, during which 4,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application.
• • Without a Bachelor’s Degree (or the global equivalent): Applicants must have a minimum five years’ professional project management experience, during which at least 7,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application.

The PMP Credential Examination
This four-hour examination composed of 200 multiple-choice questions measures your ability to apply knowledge, skills and techniques used in project management. The examination is developed by groups of individuals from around the globe who hold the PMP credential and is routinely reviewed and revised to ensure the best and consistently objective assessment.

(obtained directly from PMI's website: http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/Obtaining-Credential.aspx)