Book Review

PMP Training Kit

Reviewed by Greg Hawkins, PMP

	Author	Sean Whitaker
	Publication	Microsoft Press; soft cover, 544 pages (CD incl.); ISBN # 978-0735657809; Publication date July 1, 2013; List price $44.74  (available used for half price)
	Purpose	PMP and CAPM Exam Preparation
	Audience	All exam candidates should read / buy this book, as there is no more thorough dissection of the (PMBOK® Guide), Fifth Edition; Trainers might consider using the text for examination preparation courses.
	Availability	Widely distributed; Amazon also offers a Kindle version.

First, I'll confess that I've been a closet 'Micosoftie' since learning MS-DOS back in the early 1980s.  Microsoft technical writers have a more polished presentation than many other after-market options.  So I naturally turned to Microsoft Press to illuminate the PMBOK.  This high standard of quality in technical writing worked once more.  The knowledge was transferred.  I passed the exam.

This PMP Training Kit consists of a printed book and companion CD.  The Kit gives access to a PDF e-book, if desired, as well as the expected library of practice test questions.  There is also a digital only version of the book available which comes with downloadable content from the published CD.  Practice test software installs (only a Windows version is available) and is usable in a Certification, Study, or Custom mode.  Current PMI test preparation practice strongly emphasizes the rigorous use of sample practice test questions with a testing environment. 

The author, like most producers of commercial test preparation materials, holds multiple advanced degrees and professional credentials (PMP since 2004). He is a successful project manager who has contributed to expanding the profession through teaching and training across the spectrum of industries.  As a volunteer leader within PMI, Whitaker is listed as a Reviewer for the new PMBOK® Guide 5th Edition.  For more information, see the author’s website.  

A glance at the book layout provides the expected lock-step match-up with the PMBOK® Guide layout.  While not a word-for-word restating of the PMBOK® Guide, the fact that there is no deviation from concepts or phrases found in the PMP exam questions is reassuring.  In addition, the author provides side bars with more information, vignettes of real world examples, and very useful exam tips in pull-out quotes.  Both exam tips and 'key' materials are annotated with icons.  A standard MS Press feature in this technical writing is a useful glossary and thorough index.  

I liked the book most for the proven pedagogical approach to learning:  present a topic, review the topic with 'quick check' questions & answers, offer a few complex exercises using the topic materials, summarize the chapter, then present chapter review questions.  I personally found the chapter review questions (and some of the CD practice test questions) more difficult than the actual PMP exam.  Answers to multiple choice questions in this Training Kit are all given explanation, even incorrect answers inserted to be misleading.  The book contains expected flow chart graphics for various process descriptions.  There are tables and hints of forms used by enterprises to put PMP practice into general use.  However, missing materials which 'put meat on the bones' of the PMBOK Guide might only serve to distract the student from general principles under examination.  The authors’ website contains supplementary learning games and puzzles which are a more playful approach to mastering the PMBOK.  

Frankly, I was one of the confused crowd when first surveying the vast amount of material available to prepare for the PMP credential.  In theory, a close reading of the PMBOK® Guide is sufficient for the exam when coupled with the long hours of practical experience attested by a candidate.  The reality is that many people preparing for the exam require the structure provided in one textbook volume.  The audience for this text will appreciate the focus on the exact concepts and terminology found in the PMBOK® Guide.  There is no mystery to passing the PMI test, and no short-cut to time spent with practice questions.  

Project Management Professionals ought to keep this concise volume at hand for periodic review.

About the Reviewer

Greg Hawkins, PMP, CISSP is a new PMP in transition from IT technical positions.  His leadership qualities were acquired through long affiliation with the US Navy.