Best Reference Books for PMP Examinations

PMP is an acronym for Project Management Professionals.  Project Management Institute offers recognized credential around the world for this and governments, business organizations employ these certified PMP to improve the success rate of their projects by applying the knowledge in a standardized and continuously changing set of project management principles as contained in the Project Management Body of Knowledge guide by PMI. This book is the bible for any one aspiring for PMP certification. This guide is published by Project Management Institute and which is based on the nine knowledge areas. These nine knowledge areas are:

1. Project Integration Management,

2. Project Scope Management

3. Project Time management

4. Project Cost Management

5. Project Quality Management

6. Project Human Resource Management

7. Project Communication Management

8. Project Risk Management

9. Project Procurement Management

The PMP Handbook which is published by PMI says that the test is based on the contents of PMBOK which is the most reliable project management book. This book is a guide and should not be the only book in your preparation for these exams. This should be supplemented by other study materials.

“PMP Exam Prep” by Rita Mulcahy is one of the most referred books and is a best seller according to Amazon’s sales ranking for the preparation of this exam. It provides very good information on what concept one can focus on and the kind of questions that they should be ready for. It has 500 pages and about 400 sample questions and multiple project situations to help the reader in knowing how to apply these process groups. It is not a book that teaches you the theory of project management but it is a book that helps you in taking this exam. It has in it the best practices for a project manager by showing the Tricks of the Trade, it cross refers to PMBOK and shows strategies for effective test taking.

Another excellent pmp book that one can refer to is “The PMP Exam: How to pass on Your First Try” by Andy Crowe. This book deals with the main idea of project management in a very understandable language. If you find that the PMBOK is very dry and difficult to understand then this book in conjunction with the PMBOK book can suffice as the primary preparation material for the exam. In its 500 page volume it depicts flowcharts, diagrams and formula shortcuts. It also has mock tests at the end of every chapter and a comprehensive exam towards the end of the book.

Another must read reference is “Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam” by Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene. The concepts of Project Management are encapsulated in this book in a bright and appealing manner. The subject of Project management is very dull and boring but this book is very interesting in its approach. It has wit and humor and it presents the knowledge areas in an ordered, methodical and meticulous manner. The nine areas of knowledge and professional responsibility are centric to the theme of this book and has well ordered chapters with additional chapters that focuses on reviews, summaries and complete practice exam. All this is within 800 pages filled with puzzles, games and practice questions.

Other good books that can be referred to by people sitting for the exam are “PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide” by Kim Heldman; “PMP Project Management Professional Study Guide (Certification Press) by Joseph Philips and “Hot Topics Flashcards for Passing PMP Exam: Hot Topics Flashcards” by Rita Mulcahy which is available in both hard copy and audio format.