PMI Scheduling Professional PMI-SP Credential

Information, FAQ’s and Answers!

Mary Hershner, PMPhershner1@cox.net 602-300-7018

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AgendaPMI-SP Exam CredentialsEligibility to take the examApplication ProcessPMI-SP Exam FormatPreparing for the ExamPass/Fail The Exam, Certification PackageMaintaining your CredentialsExam TestimonialQuestions?

Why pursue the PMI-SP credential? Project scheduling professionals should be

recognized for their knowledge, skills and experience in this specialized area of project scheduling.

Scheduling is a tool every project manager uses in one form or another.

Most Enterprise Project Management Tools demand a PM’s proficiency in scheduling and employers are looking for the expertise!

PMI-SP CredentialThe PMI-Scheduling Professional Certification

is a new credential for those who practice project management in the specialty area of scheduling.

The certification provides the basis for the credentialing examination for individuals who manage project scheduling.

The exam is NOT tool specific and is based on the participants knowledge of scheduling, it’s terminology and relationship to the PMBOK (third edition).

PMI-SP CredentialThe PMI-SP Credential is offered through the

Project Management InstituteYou do not need to be a PMI Member to apply

for the credentialThere is no pre-requisite needed to take the

exam, the PMI-SP is a stand-alone credential offered as part of PMI’s family of credentials

Candidates must be approved through PMI prior to taking the exam

The cost for PMI Members to earn the credential is $520.00. The cost to non-members is $670.00 .

Eligibility RequirementsThree to five years of project scheduling experience With a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent have:

+ 30 contact hours of formal education (must be in project scheduling)

+ Within the past five years, a minimum of 3,500 hours of experience in project scheduling

ORWith a high school diploma or global equivalent

have:+ 40 contact hours of formal education (must be

in project scheduling) +Within the past five years, 5,000 hours of

experience in project scheduling

Application ProcessFor detailed information Download PMI Scheduling

Professional (PMI–SP)SM Credential Handbook (35 pages)

http://www.pmi.org/PDF/PMI-SP_Handbook.pdfMajor Points CoveredHow to Apply Online PMI-SP Eligibility Requirements & Verification PMI-SP Examination Information & Blueprint PMI-SP Credential Fees & Refund Policy PMI-SP Credential Maintenance

Application Process

Application ProcessYou can also use the online certification system to:Apply and submit payment to take or retake any

PMI examination and/or evaluationView your submitted credential applicationView your examination eligibility statusDownload PMI audit forms and/or examination

score reportsAccess your certification record and update your

contact informationView your listing on the Credential RegistrySubmit payment for credential renewal

Application process

Link to Submittal Processhttps://www.pmi.org/authentication/default.aspx?r=www.pmi.org/certapp/Default.aspx&s=true

Application process

https://securereg3.prometric.com/Welcome.aspx?Culture=en-US

PMI-SP Exam FormatThe Exam is comprised of 170 multiple-choice

questions. 20 are considered pretest questions. Pretest questions do not affect the score and are used in

examinations as an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions.

All questions are randomly placed throughout the examination.

No. of Scored Questions 150 No. of Pretest (Unscored) Questions 20Total Examination Questions 170Note: No pass or fail % has been determined during the pilot

phase!

Computer-based testing (CBT) is the standard method of administration for PMI examinations.

PMI-SP Exam FormatThe allotted time to complete the computer-based

examination is four hours.

The examination is preceded by a tutorial and followed by a survey, both of which are optional and both of which can take up to 15 minutes to complete.

The time used to complete the tutorial and survey is not included in the examination time of four hours.

It may take some credential candidates less than the allotted time to complete the examination.

PMI-SP Exam FormatThe PMI-SP examination is developed based

on the examination blueprint contained in the PMI–Scheduling Professional Examination Specification.

The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each project scheduling domain.

The following represents the percentage of questions in each domain that are included in the examination.

Preparing for the ExamTo prepare for the examination, PMI suggests

review of the:PMI-SP Handbook PMI-SP Examination SpecificationGuide to the Project Management Body of

Knowledge (PMBOK(R) Guide) – Third Edition

All are available on the PMI Global Website…..

Preparing for the ExamIf you have not completed a course containing

Project Scheduling concepts, PMI recommends you do so. Educational programs are offered through a variety of providers including:

PMI component organizations (chapters, SIGs, colleges)

MPUG…… !!!!PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) University and college academic and

continuing education programs Training companies or consultants Distance learning providers Study groups (i.e. local chapter study

groups)

What happens if I fail the Exam?Candidates have a maximum of three attempts to

receive a passing score on the PMI-SP examination within the one-year eligibility period.

After the third unsuccessful attempt, candidates will have to wait one year before re-applying for the credential and retaking the examination.

Candidates must submit a re-examination form before each attempt along with the re-examination fee (please see your handbook for re-examination fees).

What happens after I pass the exam? Pre August 2008 Pilot Exam: Candidates who sit for the examination during the pilot

period (30 May – 31 July 2008) will not receive their scores immediately.  PMI will be determining the pass/fail score (cut score) during this pilot period.  As soon as the cut score is determined (within a 60 – 90 day timeframe), pilot participants will be notified immediately. Until that time, communications will be sent to candidates to keep them apprised of where PMI is in the cut score determination process.

Post Pilot August 2008: After you pass the exam, you may immediately use the

credential after your name (for example, John Doe, PMI-SP). Your name will also appear in the PMI Online Registry.   Credential holders will receive a package of information with a certificate, letter and credential holder card in the mail. Please note: It usually takes about 6-8 weeks to receive your credential package from PMI.

Certification PackageWithin six to eight weeks, you will receive a

credential package that includes: Congratulatory letter Information on how to maintain and/or renew your

credentialCredential certificate

Both of these documents list your:Credential number – a unique identification number used

by PMI to maintain your individual certification recordsYour credential cycle datesYou will want to file this information in a safe and easily

accessible location. You will need to refer to it in order to maintain your

credential.

PMI-SP Credential MaintenancePMI-SP credential holders are required to attain no

less than 30 professional development units (PDUs) during each three-year renewal cycle to maintain their credential.

Please Note The Following:

The 30 PDUs in project scheduling can also be counted towards the maintenance of the PMP(R) or PgMPSM credential(s)

If a project scheduling practitioner is taking general project management classes, only the sections that pertain to project scheduling can be applied towards the PMI-SP credential

PMI-SP Credential MaintenanceOverview of Process to Maintain an Active Certification

Status:1. Determine certification/CCR cycle2. Attain no less than 30 PDUs during each certification/CCR

cycle3. Report PDUs on the online Activity Reporting form4. Complete the online Application for Renewal5. Reaffirm PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct6. Reaffirm PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement7. Submit the credential renewal fee – US$60 for PMI

members; US$150 for nonmembers8. Receive new certificate with updated certification/CCR

cycle dates

Exam Testimonial..Overall, I thought the PMI-SP exam was very well thought out

and the questions were some of best formulated ones I’ve seen in a test.  

It did feel a bit like the PMP exam, but the questions were obviously more focus on the Time Management knowledge area. 

I would recommend anyone taking this exam to carefully study the Practice Guide for Scheduling and It’s important to feel comfortable with the terminology of scheduling, so time spent in the “Terms and Definitions” section will likely pay off. 

Other topics that appeared frequently in the questions centered around scheduling methods (Critical Chain, etc.), Histograms and performance reporting (Earned Value, in particular).

Questions?