News & Events-Business Process Management Consultants UAE

Well done to Danny Abbas, of the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) who passed his PMP^® exam recently.

“The PMP^® has benefited me by acting as a reference for best practice in the sometimes muddled world of project management,” said Danny, the TDIC’s Corporate Contact Centre Manager. It has opened my eyes to reasons why projects fail and how to avoid such outcomes. I am confident it will open up a variety of opportunities and help me stand out.”
15-01-2012

Congratulations to Loay M. Jasser Ali of DEWA, who passed his PMP^® exam recently. Formerly a Project Manager at Siemens LLC, he is now responsible for DEWA’s Electrical and Infrastructure Master Planning of Mega Projects at the Dubai Land area. Through his training & studies, Loay said: “I have sharpened my knowledge on how to manage successful projects smarter, rather than harder. The PMP^® training at SMG was just to the point!” With the help of his studies and PMP^® knowledge, he recognizes how some other factors are as important as the “traditional” triple constraints when it comes to assessing the success of his projects.

Congratulations to Wins Mathew, a Manager of Installation and Client Services, who recently passed his PMP® exam. According to Wins, the PMP^® has changed his outlook towards life and has increased his self-esteem. “Passing the PMP^® exam has shown my peers that I am ready to face challenges. It has brought recognition for me amongst my colleagues,” he said. Well done on passing Wins - the SMG Team is proud of you!

Changes to the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam have been confirmed by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. Changes will only relate to study material and not the exam format.

What Stays the Same?
The PMBOK®: There will be no change to the PMBOK® Guide. The PMP Exam is currently based on the PMBOK® 4th Edition. The 5th edition is scheduled for publication at the end of 2012 but the PMP Exam will continue to be largely based on the 4th edition until 2013. Exam Format: The PMP Exam will continue to be a computer-based exam, providing four hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions.
Score Report: PMI stated that at this time, it does not anticipate any changes will be made to the PMP score report.
Eligibility Requirements: The education & experience eligibility requirements for the PMP Exam will not change.

What Will Change?

The Exam: The new exam will be rolled out on 31 August 2011. The last day on which you can take the exam under the current specification is 30 August 2011.
Integration of Professional & Social Responsibility: Professional and social responsibility is tested separately in the current exam format. Outcomes from the study showed that the Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct should be viewed and tested as an integrated part of a project manager’s day-to-day work. As such, students should understand the effects of professional and social responsibility on daily tasks. Exam questions will ask about ethical considerations, social responsibility etc. Understanding and living the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as a project manager will have a much higher importance for the exam.
Content Of Study Materials: Following PMI’s communication of the exam-related changes to all Registered Education Providers (REP’s), it is their responsibility to ensure that all training material is updated. As of 31 August 2011, all training material will be updated with effect, and include the necessary information relating to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Recommendations For PMP Students
Take The Exam Before The Change: If you are currently studying for the exam, plan your studies so that you can take the exam before 31 July 2011. Scheduling your exam one month before 31 August will give you 30 days to retake the exam, should you fail on your first attempt. Alternatively, students should pay specific attention during their studies to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (if taking exam after 31 August).
Use Study Materials From PMI Registered Education Providers (PMI REP): As a PMI REP, Specialised Management Group is working hard to update its study materials to the new standard. Current materials are required if your exam is on or before 30 August 2011. Updated materials are required if your exam is on or after 31 August 2011.

Read PMI’s FAQ & Study Tips: PMI has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and a PMP Study Tips page on its website (www.PMI.org) to help students prepare for the material changes.
30-05-2011

Congratulations to Katherine Twaites, Project Management Specialist with the Emirates Group, who recently passed her PMP^® exam. Katherine is a member of the Programme Management Office at Emirates and said the PMP qualification not only supports her day-to-day work, but also assists with both best practice knowledge and establishing credibility with project stakeholders.

“As somebody who delivers PM training internally, I see the participants who attend project management workshops with Emirates & SMG suddenly come to life on the projects. The enthusiasm generated through their training is reflected in successful project delivery and increasing business benefits through a standard project management approach,” she said.

Congratulations to Elangoven Manickam on recently passing his PMP^® exam. He is an Operations Engineer in the oil and gas industry which demands continuous improvements in the application of knowledge, processes and skills. “I derived motivation from the fact that my work experience and knowledge complimented learning the PMP^® concepts & tools for the exam. This honed my skills and knowledge in both. The PMP^® path has paved a significant impact in improving my work efficiency. Thanks to my company management and SMG that provided a perfect bridge (training) to achieve my personal & professional satisfaction”.

Well done to Hytham Jali, the Piping & Mechanical Section Head and Project Manager for Field Surface Facilities Phase VI Project (Ram Energy Co. in Sudan). Hytham recently passed his PMP® exam. He said that following his course and exam, he now manages projects more formally and in accordance with PMI® practices. “I am definitely more confident in managing projects differently and solving the problems. The PMP® exam and preparation encouraged me to develop myself and look towards a better future. I spent a great time with SMG.”

Congratulations to Pierre Capelani of Nestle Manufacturing Dubai, who recently passed his PMP. Pierre is the Zenith Project Manager, in charge of the construction of a KIT KAT(R) factory in Dubai. “The PMP emphasises the importance of the planning phase - planning how we manage scope, time, cost, quality, communication, human resources or risks,” he said. “During my training & exam preparation, I realised we could do more in terms of scope management (working with WBS), cost & time estimations, communication, stakeholder or risk management.”