Q. Why do I want the PMP certification?

A. While we are used to thinking of a CPA for an accountant, companies today are doing the same for the project manager with a PMP certification. The PMP Certification is a way that many employers are setting a minimum entry standard for their project managers or technical leaders.

While in the height of the dot com and telecom economy of the late 90’s and early 2000’s it was not uncommon for people to get jobs as project managers because there were so many initiatives being worked on by companies (Regardless of their qualification levels). As the economy cratered a few years ago, and we have moved into recovery the companies are able to be more choosey of whom they hire.

In the Dallas area, the local PMI chapter has over 2600 members where almost 50% of those people are PMP certified. This is the highest concentration of PMP’s to chapter membership in the world. If you are trying to compete for a job in project management, or a job utilizing project management skills you are competing against these PMP’s. As one of our alumni told us, “I used to hire project managers, and I used the PMP as a filtering requirement. After being laid off, and not having my PMP, I need to get it so I can get in the door to talk to the people that are doing to me what I did as a manager.

It has also been said that the technically disciplined project manager is the hardest skill set to find. If you are a great technical person, and can enhance your project management skill the Crosswind way, you will definitely stand out over the competition, whether it’s job security, promotion, or looking for a new job.

Q. Is a course needed to take the exam?

A. PMI has a requirement of a minimum of 35 contact hours of project management training to sit for the exam. As a PMI Registered Education Provider our courses fit the criteria for the contact hours. The training also provides a proven roadmap to PMP success that self study or study groups do not.

Q: Why should I select Crosswind for my training for the exam?

A. Crosswind is the leader in PMP certification training in the Dallas area. We have been doing this since early 2001. Our products are being used in over 30 states and 7 countries. Our culture is built around continuous improvement and thinking out of the box to develop successful PMP’s. Founder and President Tony Johnson, MBA, PMP is our main instructor for PMP certification training. In the last four years he has given almost 4000 hours of project management training to hundreds of people in the Dallas Metroplex. In many cases our competition can’t even add all of their staff together to accrue that many hours.

Unlike some of our competition who have you do nothing but take tests during class time, then tell you that you need their "Advanced PM" class if you become a PMP, we actually educate you on the PMI ways of approaching the 9 knowledge areas, 5 process groups, framework and professional responsibility. Remember you have to know how to apply the material instead of simply pass a test to keep a job as a PMP. We also compare the PMI approach to what a lot of people experience in their workplace. This helps to compare and contrast your experience to create a solid foundation of knowledge.

Q. What are the details about the Crosswind 100% pass guarantee?

A. Unlike a lot of our competitors our guarantee is short and simple. You take the Crosswind course, and pass our exit exam. If you do that and fail the actual exam we will write you a check to reimburse you for the retake fee of the PMP exam, as well as allow you to take any additional classes needed, and work with you on a specialized study plan for you.

Q. Why do the Crosswind PMP Success Series Products make a difference?

A. When we started doing our PMP and project management fundamentals training we used training materials that were available in a relatively new market, and we found that some of the material was lacking information, or was more confusing than it needed to be. Because of this we began to supplement this material with our own. It started out as a few pages here and there, and the next thing you know our book can do in two or three pages what our competitors take seven to ten pages to do. Our other materials came about from student requests to help supplement their learning.

As we fine tuned this material, it became material that laid out a solid foundation for project management training and education. The material is not just to help you pass the test like a lot of manuals available today can be. It is also not so detailed that it’s a text book, but instead a practical balance between the two.

Q. Why does this course differ from self study or a study group?

A. While self study and study groups are good things, they do not provide a roadmap to success as we do with Crosswind. We have almost 4000 hours of hands on project management training delivery. We can take you down the path to PMP Success so you study what you need to study, and don’t worry about the things that don’t matter. With us, you know when you are ready instead of having to make an un-experienced and potentially expensive guess. It is not uncommon for our alumni to form study groups as the class evolves to help reinforce our recipe for success. Also, self study and study groups do not fulfill the 35 contact hours of training for the exam.

Q. How does the PMP® Success Express Course differ from other "condensed" courses?

A. After a great amount of research and planning we have introduced our PMP® Success Express Course that will prepare a person for the exam in 5 days. Our concern was to be able to maintain our quality standards associated with foundational knowledge approach and not be communicating simply what to memorize for the exam. We had an alumni that summarized it with her statement, “My company wanted me to take the PMP class from (name withheld, a national publisher and market leader) because they advertised in the PMI magazines and looked like a good way to get it done quickly. They told me exactly what I needed to know to pass the test, the problem is they failed to teach me what it meant and how to apply it. After one if your classes, I could tell an immediate difference in the approach.” Our suggestion is to enroll in the course as soon as you make the decision and we can mail you the materials to begin reviewing. This will help maximize your time in the classroom as well.

Q. I have years of experience as a project manager, why should I take this class?

A. Experience doesn’t equate to PMP success. Remember the PMP exam is geared for a person with at least 3 years experience of working on projects. PMI has a standard way of looking at things that not every company takes the time to implement. The PMBOK is a rather thin in breaking down a lot of these areas. Supplemental material and training shows you how to use and apply these processes. One of our alumni had actually failed the exam (before taking our course). She told us. I have 12 years of experience with a worldwide consulting company. I read the PMBOK 3 times, applied my experience and I failed the exam. After one day of class with Crosswind (and having sat through the exam once already) I could see where I was coming up short, and the difference the class made.

Q. Can I audit a class to see why Crosswind makes such a difference?

A. We have had many satisfied customers ask if they could sit through a day of our training to see how they like it. We are pleased to offer the opportunity to see what PMP Success is like before you buy. We can provide you a set of books to use in the class, and follow along with everything. Because of the number of requests we get for people to audit our classes we generally try to limit it to no more than two auditors per class. If you are interested check with us for availability.

Q. What type of payment plans and options are available?

A. We can process Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards. We also can work with companies and their tuition reimbursement policies.

We offer payment plans for individuals as well. Our main goal is flexibility for you. We prefer $400 up front, and that the payments are evenly distributed throughout the class, and paid in full before class completion. If this looks like a solution for you, contact us with your needs in this area and see if they quality.

Q. What qualifications do I need to take the PMP Exam?

A. If you have a bachelor degree you will need 4500 hours of experience in project management related activities over 36 months of the last 60 months you are reporting for.

If you do not have a bachelor degree you will need 7500 hours of experience in project management related activities over 60 months of the last 96 months you are reporting.

Remember, this is project management related areas, not necessarily as a project manager. Were you involved in providing estimates? Determining what work was involved in a project? Providing status on items on the project? Tracking costs? These are items that count toward the experience.

Crosswind will provide you with an Excel based workbook that will let you accumulate your experience in it, and we can review it for you before you submit the application to PMI.

Q. How are the hours and months of experience determined?

A. If you worked in any of the 39 process areas such as providing estimates, status, task lists, or tracked time and cost, these type of activities will count toward the experience. You do not need the title of project manager to have the experience count, but instead worked in the project management processes.

Q. How hard is the exam?

A. It’s not an easy exam. 200 questions, 4 hours, 9 knowledge areas, 5 process areas, framework, professional responsibility, calculations, situational questions, who fixes what, etc.We teach you to break down the question formats, learn to apply the formulas, and attack the exam, instead of it attacking you. When you are done with our course you will see a question in the exam and think “cost, select NOT format, answers B and D do not fit cost, of the remaining answers A and C which is the best answer.” This is not an easy exam, but just like training is required for the Tour De France, we can prepare you for PMP exam success.

Q. Do I need to be a PMI Member to take the exam?

A. You do not need to be a PMI member to take the exam. If you are, or choose to be you can save money on the exam cost. The exam for non-members is $555 and for members is $405. To be a PMI member and get the benefits of it is around $120 a year depending upon if you choose to join a local chapter or special interest group.

Q. When do I need to register for the exam?

A. You can register for the PMP exam as early as you want, as long as you are prepared to take the exam within a year of applying. You will usually receive the approval letter within a couple of weeks after applying.

Q. When and where can I take the PMP Exam?

A. Locations can be seen at http://www.prometric.com/. As of this writing there are 3 test centers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that offer the exam. There is a big test center near I635 and Central Expressway, as well as smaller locations in Mesquite and south Arlington. We recommend the two smaller test centers as they are a bit quieter and have less people coming and going from the room you are testing in. Unlike some exams that have fixed dates, the PMP exam is offered whenever you can schedule it. You will receive an approval letter from PMI to take the exam. It will have your authorization number on it, and you will need this to schedule the test. You will have one year from the date on the letter to take the exam.

Q. How soon will I know if I passed the exam?

A. You will know if you have passed the exam before you leave the workstation at the test center where you are taking the test. You will be given a report with your score on the exam before you leave the test center. Within one month you should receive the supporting documents from PMI in the mail.

Q. What is needed to maintain the PMP certification?

A. After you attain your PMP certification you will need to maintain 60 PDU’s (Professional Development Units) over the next 3 years. This includes training, attending PMI chapter meetings and other items that PMI has defined as acceptable for PDU qualification. One PDU is equal to one hour of training. As you acquire the PDU’s you can submit forms with the information about the PDUs to PMI, or you can wait until the end of the reporting period.

Q. Where can I buy your products?

A. Our products are available on our website at http://www.crosswindpm.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/ and by 2nd quarter of 2005 they should be available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, and http://www.pmi.org/.