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A guided self-study program, this seminar helps candidates prepare for the current version of the Project Management Institute's PMP® certification exam, an essential prerequisite for certification as a Project Management Professional. Available either through classroom sessions or through distance learning, the seminar familiarizes the participants with the content and make-up of the exam, and with the level of competency needed to pass it.
The seminar is offered both on a public subscription basis and as an in-house seminar for the employees of a single organization. The features and benefits of the seminar are described below. Please contact me if you would like more information.
Registration Form - View and Print
Links to the registration forms are posted in the table below. Left click on a link to view the form in your browser, right click on a link to download the PDF file to your computer If a link is not highlighted, the item is not yet posted on the site. Please contact Walter Wawruck to receive the form as soon as it is available
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January 6 - March 23, 2012 |
January 6 - March 16 2012 |
January 14 - March 24 2012 Seminar Cancelled |
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Registration Form
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Distance Learning Registration Form PDF(AdobeAcrobat) |
Regina Registration Form PDF(AdobeAcrobat) |
for information |
[Contents]
Delivered by an experienced practitioner, the seminar topics are presented in terms of the practical issues that arise in the management of real projects. The aim is to provide an understanding of good practice tools and techniques that will be of value to individual participants, their clients, and their employers.
Participants give the seminar a high rating on evaluation measures dealing with new ideas and concepts, usefulness in one's present work, and the potential to help in future applications. The training has been described as "beneficial and practical…I recommend it to anyone wanting to become a project manager" and "very valuable in providing practical and useful knowledge I can take back to the workplace".
[Contents]
More than ever, organizations are depending on project management practices to deliver new products and services, systems, and facilities. Many are realizing that successful projects - quality results, on time, and on budget - require a unique set of project management competencies. Typically the required knowledge is learned "on the job", and the costs of such "training" can be very high: poor products, missed deadlines, unhappy clients, stressed-out project teams!
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PMP® certification is a third party affirmation of a project manager's understanding of project management fundamentals. Many organizations now require the designation as a condition for serving as a project manager or for career advancement.
Worldwide, there were 393,413 PMPs in September 2010.
The certification preparation seminars complement in-house project management training and reinforce organizational initiatives to strengthen management capabilities. The training is applicable to any field of project endeavour. Since 1996, more than 1,430 practitioners from hundreds of organizations in Western Canada have participated in the PMP® Certification Preparation Seminar. The attendees practice in fields which include information systems, telecommunications, heavy construction, health care, research, marketing, and new product development. Recent seminar presentations have been fully subscribed without any public advertising. Most of the attendees came from organizations that had enrolled staff members in previous sessions.
[Contents]
The PMP® Certification Preparation Seminar features a highly successful method of instruction: a combination of lectures and sample examinations that help participants identify topics requiring reinforcement.
The seminar consists of twelve lecture modules, covering the topics which make up the exam. Each module is a half-day lecture. The first is an introduction to the knowledge framework. The next ten modules each deal with one of the PMBOK® knowledge areas or with topics in the Professional Responsibility domain. The final module is a summary and a mock examination. The twelve modules are:
- Introduction and Framework
- Project Selection, Initiation, and Scope Management
- Project Organization, the Matrix, and Stakeholder Involvement
- The Roles, Competence, and Professional Duties of the Project Manager
- Cost Management
- Time Management
- Human Resources
- Communications and Cultural Differences
- Procurement Management
- Risk Management
- Quality Management
- Summary and Mock Examination
For each lecture there is an advance reading assignment, and for some lectures
there are homework assignments dealing with quantitative problems.
Some of the problems and problem solutions can be downloaded from the
Sample Problems
page.
Each of the subject-area lectures includes a trial of sample exam questions and a discussion of the rationale for the one correct choice. The mock examination at the end of the seminar is composed of sample questions not previously exposed to the participants. Again, there is a discussion of the rationale for the answer. Most important, the participants are able to assess their personal levels of preparedness by comparing their own scores to those of their classmates and to those of other classes - all anonymously reported of course.
The scheduling of the lectures at intervals offers a major advantage over a concentrated, continuous course. It encourages the participants to organize their own study programs on a structured time table. It is designed to have the participants "exam-ready" by the end of the course. During the lectures or the on-line conferences, they can ask for clarification and explanation of study materials they have already examined. Through the sample exam questions they get immediate feedback on their levels of preparedness in each subject area.
The course material is maintained up-to-date and is compliant with the current version of PMI®'s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, .
The seminar provides 45 hours of classroom contact time. This is more than the minimum 35 hours of project management education required for PMP® certification.
Major organizations have endorsed the training by enrolling additional members of their managerial staff in successive seminar presentations. Previous seminar groups have achieved a high pass rate on the internationally administered PMP® exam.
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A distance education version of the certification preparation seminar will be released Fall 2011. It allows you to complete your exam preparation from home. Designed to simulate the classroom experience. the distance version features a combination of on-line interactive sessions at scheduled intervals together with recorded lectures which you can watch and review at your convenience.
See the preceding section for a description of the course content.
Modelled on the successful format of the classroom course, the distance learning seminar is designed for participation from home. The twelve lecture modules, recorded in the classroom, are provided in DVD format. The lectures have received consistently high ratings in participant feedback They are described as providing lucid and comprehensible explanations of complex subjects that often cannot be fully grasped though reading alone. A trial of the recorded lectures was conducted with a group of exam candidates in Winter 2011. They reported that watching the videos was just like being in the classroom. Here is a review from one of the group:
"Viewing Walter's video lectures from home is just like being present in the classroom, with the added bonus of being able to watch them at my leisure, pausing or rewinding at will. Because they were recorded live, there is a natural feel to the videos, including actual classroom interactions between the instructor and students. The picture and sound quality are quite good - very similar to remote video conferencing or any type of live newscast. The normal expected array of sounds in the classroom can be heard in the background, but it doesn't detract from the lectures. Rather, it adds that extra dimension of reality that makes you believe you are really there."Study Materials. Each distance learner is provided with the seminar binder, text books, and a number of additional papers and articles. Around 600 overhead transparencies are used in the lectures. In the binder, registrants are provided with copies of the transparencies which they use to follow along with the lecture, and upon which they make notes. The foils plus other materials in the seminar binder are the principal study resource for exam preparation.
Interactive Review Sessions. Twelve on-line, interactive sessions are scheduled for weekday evenings, at one week intervals. These conference sessions establish the pace of the seminar and provide a structured timeframe for individual study programs. Each session is hosted by Walter Wawruck and is devoted to one of the lecture modules which make up the course. Participants prepare for the sessions by viewing recorded lectures and completing the assigned readings.
Just prior to the start of a session, the participants complete a sample exam dealing with the lecture topic. Then, in the session, they discuss the rationale for the right and wrong answers to the questions as a group. Participant ratings have consistently identified the lectures, and the discussion of questions and answers in a set of sample exam questions following each lecture, as the most valuable elements of the course.
In the on-line sessions, participants ask questions about the lectures and readings, and Walter Wawruck presents supplemental lecture material.
On Demand Support. In addition to the weekly distance conferences, unlimited e-mail support is available to answer questions between sessions. This support continues until a candidate has passed the PMP exam. Queries and responses are posted on a web based forum.
PMP Exam. Participants are encouraged to apply for and schedule the PMP exam on a date soon after the last on-line session. The seminar is designed to have you "exam ready" by that date. See the section below on options for writing the exam. There is a recorded lecture module on preparing a PMP exam application and resource materials are provided to assist the process. Walter Wawruck is available to provide advice and suggestions on completing and submitting the application.
Technology. The recorded lectures are provided as DVD discs which can be viewed and reviewed at your convenience. The on-line conferences are conducted over the internet, using Webex or Skype. Participants need a high speed internet connection and a computer configuration capable of receiving video transmissions, and which is equipped with a microphone and speakers, or preferably a headset. If you are able to communicate via Skype, your system is likely suitable. Arrangements will be made to test the compatibility of your equipment prior to completing your registration.
[Contents]
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential examination is being updated effective August 31, 2011, based on updates to the professional role of a PMP® as described in PMI’s Role Delineation Study (RDS). These updates to the role will have an effect on the examination questions for the PMP. Regular communications from PMI about this change will continue until the PMP examination change on 31 August. For more information see the PMI website
No sudden change in the examination is expected. It appears that the changes to the Role Definition have largely to do with the way in which the required skills and knowledge are categorized, but the specified knowledge content has not changed. We know that in previous updates to the exam, following the release new editions of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, the PMP exam appeared to test the same knowledge content as before, and no change in instructional materials was required. This appears to be case once again.
Prior to the 2011 update, PMP candidates have written the 2009 version of the exam. This version reflects the definitions and terminology of the 4th Edition of the Guide to the PMBOK. Based on the performance of seminar alumni, the 2009 version appears to be somwhat more difficult than versions of the exam administered prior to 2009.
In April to June 2011 the second group of Certification Preparation Seminar participants (N=44) wrote the 2009 versions of the PMP exam. The aggregate pass rate was 68% on the first attempt, virtually identical to the pass rate for the first group which wrote in April 2010 (N=45) with an aggregate pass rate of 69%. These pass rates are below the historical norm for previous versions of the exam.
Detailed reports which discuss the exam performance of cohorts of seminar alumni on successive versions of the PMP exam are listed below and can be downloaded for review.
Seminar alumni have achieved consistently high pass rates on versions of the PMP exam administered from 1996 through September 24, 2005.
The 2005 version of the PMP exam was introduced effective September 30, 2005. In the subsequent four years, data from candidates who have written the 2005 exam once again indicated similarly high success rates. An exception was the experience of the Fall 2008 classes in both Vancouver and Regina.
Of 40 seminar alumni who challenged the computer based 2005 exam through May, 2006, 38, or 95%, passed on the first attempt. Similarly high success rates were reported by computer exam candidates through April 2008, and even higher in April 2009.
Up to April 2008, of the 94 candidates who had written the paper based test in Regina since the 1995 version of the exam was introduced, 78% had passed on the first attempt. The 29 candidates who wrote the paper based test in April 2009 had a virtually identical pass rate of 82%.
An analysis of exam performance by individual suggests that the lower pass rate for paper exam candidates can be attributed to demographic factors, rather than to the paper test format. In comparison to Vancouver candidates, there is a greater proportion of junior people, and people with limited project management experience, among the Regina candidates. Senior, experienced candidates in Regina have displayed the same high pass rate on the paper based test as on the computer based test.
The overall results for the Fall 2008 classes, as noted above, were disappointing. Of the 74 people who we know wrote the exam, only 48, or 65%, passed on the first attempt. This appears to have been an anomaly, since the performance of the Winter 2009 classes returned to the historical norm.
Based on reports from the candidates, it appears that the Fall 2008 versions of the exam contained a larger than usual number of questions about the processes described in the Guide to the PMBOK. A further examination of the demographic characteristics of the candidates indicated that among those who failed was a substantial proportion of people who had limited experience in project work, lower levels of education, or English as a second language. The results of an investigation of the reasons for the anomaly in Fall 2008 are available in the report listed below.
The performance of the Winter 2009 classes, comparable to the historical norm, is also examined in detail in the report listed below.
The following are links to PDF files which contain detailed reports on PMP exam performance by cohorts of seminar alumni on successive versions of the exam:
- Winter 2011 PMP Exam Performance
- Winter 2010 PMP Exam Performance
- Winter 2009 PMP Exam Performance
- Fall 2008 PMP Exam Performance
This is college level training. Participants should be familiar with work breakdown structures, critical path scheduling, estimating and budgeting, quality control, and contract administration; as well as basic managerial accounting and economics, motivation theories, and fundamental statistics.
Self study materials will be suggested in the seminar for participants who want to refresh their knowledge or who wish to acquire a basic understanding of any of these prerequisite topics.
In addition to the seminar sessions, preparatory reading is suggested. Participants are encouraged to form study groups.
[Contents]
Walter Wawruck, MBA, P.Eng.(Alberta), PMP®, is a consultant specializing in project management services. Since 1971, he has participated in the management of a wide variety of projects, ranging from computer systems development to Arctic pipelines, and has assisted clients in strengthening their organizational capabilities in project management through the adoption of best practices.
Walter Wawruck has provided training in project management since 1981, in Canada, the US, and South America. In addition to his public subscription seminars, he provides in-house seminars, workshops, and training services to individual clients.
Go to the Qualifications page for more on Mr. Wawruck's education and experience.
[Contents]
PMP® Certification requires that an individual meets eligibility requirements in the areas of education, experience, and knowledge. A candidate must have three years of project work experience with a Bachelor's degree, or five years of project work experience without a degree, and must then pass the examination. There is an additional requirement for project management education starting in 2002.
Once certified, a PMP® must initiate a personal program of continuing professional development to maintain the designation.
For more on this topic see the PMI Certification page.
[Contents]
Introduced in 1983, PMI®'s professional certification program is designed to enhance professionalism in project management and to provide project managers with a structured approach to developing their personal careers and their professional capabilities in project management.
A PMP® Certification application must be submitted directly to PMI® in order to write the exam. Candidates may also choose to first take the training , and to subsequently apply for certification and the exam.
Applicants have the option of submitting a paper application for the exam. However, an on-line application is available and is recommended. Following the acceptance of an application for the PMP® exam, the candidate is given the option of writing a computer based exam or a paper based exam. The candidate is then asked asked for payment and is given instructions for booking an exam date and location. Once an application has been accepted, the candidate must write the exam within one year. No extension is allowed.
Computer Based Exam
The computer based exam is available in most U.S. and Canadian cities through Prometric (formerly Sylvan Technology™), by appointment, after a candidate has received notification of eligibility from PMI®.
The computer-based examination is now available in Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver, and major centres throughout the continent. There are currently over 300 Prometric Testing Centers in North America. Obtain a listing of the sites from Prometric
There is only one Promertic Test centre to serve all of British Columbia. Located in Burnaby, this test centre at times has very few or no seats available for the computer based PMP exam.
To provide an alternative for PMP candidates, arrangements will be made with PMI for a sitting of the paper based PMP exam in Vancouver British Columbia on April 24, 2012.
Download a set of instructions on how to apply for the April 21, 2012 paper based test in Vancouver.
Because there is no Prometric agent in Regina capable of providing the computer based exam, PMI offers the paper version of the PMP exam in Regina Saskatchewan at periodic intervals.
PMI has arranged for a sitting of the paper based PMP exam in Regina Saskatchewan on April 14, 2012. Download a set of instructions on how to apply for the April 14, 2012 paper based test in Regina.
Handbooks and Fees
Download a PDF version of the Certification Handbook for an explanation of the educational and experience prerequisites to certification. Paper exam candidates should also download the supplementary Paper Based Test Handbook.
PMP® certification and exam fees, which are not included in the seminar fee, must be paid directly to PMI®. For PMI® members, the fee for the computer based exam is $405 US; for the paper exam, $250 US. GST or HST is added to the exam fee.
[Contents]
Each classroom seminar consists of six, full-day sessions held at two week intervals. For each distance learning seminar there are twelve on-line conferences at one week intervals These formats allow time to read from the resource materials in preparation for the lectures or on-line sessions. Previous classroom seminar participants have found great value in meeting during evenings or noon hours between lectures, in volunteer led study groups, to review and discuss the topics covered. Distance learning particpants similarly may want to organize volunteer on-line study groups.
To assist exam candidates in preparing their certification applications to the Institute, an evening workshop will be held prior to the start of each classsroom seminar presentation. These workshops are open to all interested parties. Distance learning candidates will be provided with a recorded presentation and resource materials on preparing an application.
The next classroom seminar presentation for Regina is planned for the January through March period in 2012. A distance learning seminar is offered for the same period.
If you wish to receive notification when registration opens for the seminars, please contact Walter Wawruck
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PMP Exam Preparation by Distance Learning
Winter 2012 Seminar
, twelve on-line sessions, one week intervals, January 6 to
March 23, 2012. This seminar is proceeding.
The registration form is available for
download
now.
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Regina, Saskatchewan:
Winter 2012 Seminar
, six Fridays, two week intervals, January 6 to March 16, 2012,
. Evening workshop on preparing a certification application:
January 5, 2012.
The registration form is available for
download
now.
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Vancouver BC:
Winter 2012 Seminar
This seminar has been cancelled. The distance learning version is offered as an
alternative.
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Regina:
PMP® Certification Exam (Paper Version)
, Saturday, April 14, 2012.
The deadline for
submitting an on-line application for this exam is March 2, 2012.
Download a
set of instructions
on how to apply for the paper based test in Regina.
Candidates should atttend the January 5, 2012 evening
workshop on preparing a certification application.
- Vancouver: PMP® Certification Exam (Paper Version) , Saturday, April 21, 2012. The deadline for submitting an on-line application for this exam is March 10, 2012. Download a set of instructions on how to apply for the paper based test in Vancouver. Candidates should contact Walter Wawruck for more information.
For the Winter 2012 Distance Learning Seminar the fee is $1,785[cdn] plus GST or HST, depending on the province of residence in Canada.
For the Winter 2012 classroom seminar series the fees are:
- $2,185 (cdn) plus GST, in Regina
- $2,185 (cdn) plus HST, in Vancouver
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A personal library of five PMI® reference books (value $310 Cdn)
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A binder of lecture foils and additional resource materials
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One year PMI Membership (value $129 US)
Morning coffee and muffins, lunch, and refreshments are provided as part of the classroom seminar.
The fee for the examination must be paid directly to the Institute, and is not included in the seminar fee.
[Contents]
Established in 1969, the Project Management Institute has responded to society's growing need for skilled project managers. A not for profit society, the Institute is democratically governed by its membership made up of individual practitioners. Established to advance the state of project management professionalism in the world, PMI® has more than 320,000 members in more than 200 chapters, including 18 in Canada, as of September, 2010. Visit the PMI® website.
PMI® provides the profession with an overall framework for improving the capabilities of individuals and organizations in the successful management of projects. The framework includes:
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The Project Management Body of Knowledge
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Project Management Professional certification
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An infrastructure of local chapters and specific interest groups
to support professional development, knowledge building, and networking
[Contents]
The Regina based South Saskatchewan Chapter of PMI® pursues an active program of knowledge building, networking among practitioners, and professional development in the local community. It currently has over 575 members, roughly 75% of whom hold the PMP designation. Throughout all but the summer months, the Chapter holds regular meetings featuring talks on current management issues, practices, and projects. The Chapter is committed to providing additional professional development opportunities for PMP®s in the form of service to the profession and continuing education. Visit the Chapter website.
[Contents]
PMP® is a registered service mark of the Project Management Institute
PMBOK™ is a trademark of the Project Management Institute