Media Reviews

• "I have been doing project management for over 30 years and am considered a subject matter expert in the PMBOK(r) Guide -Third Edition primarily because I am the Project Manager who led the team that developed this edition. As a consultant I was hired to review and evaluate eight of the top selling PMP Exam Preparation books for their accuracy in following the PMBOK® Guide - Third Edition. I have developed and taught a PMP Exam Prep course for a leading R.E.P., and taught PMP Exam preparation classes for PMI Chapters. I can honestly say that Head First PMP is by far the best PMP Exam Preparation book of all I have reviewed in depth. It is the very best basic education and training book that I have read that presents the processes for managing a project, which makes it a great resource for a basic project management class for beginners as well as a tool for practitioners who want to pass the PMP exam. The graphical story format is unique, as project management books go, which makes it both fun and easy to read while driving home the basics that are necessary for preparing someone is just getting started and those who want to take the exam." --Dennis Bolles, PMP DLB Associates, LLC and co-author of The Power of Enterprise-Wide Project Management

• "This looks like too much fun to be a PMP study guide! Behind the quirky humor and nutty graphics lies an excellent explanation of the project management processes. Not only will this book make it easier to pass the exam, you'll learn a lot of good stuff to use on the job too." --Carol Steuer, PMP and PMBOK(r) Guide, 3rd Edition Leadership Team

• "This is the best thing to happen to PMP since, well, ever. You'll laugh, learn, pass the exam, and become a better project manager all at the same time." -- Scott Berkun, author of The Art of Project Management and The Myths of Innovation

• "Original, fresh, and fun... this is truly the perfect study companion for anyone aiming for PMP certification." --Teresa Simmermacher, PMP and Project Manager at Avanade

• "I love this format! Head First PMP covers everything you need to know to pass your PMP exam. The sound-bite format combined with the whimsical images turns a dry subject into entertainment. The organization starts with the basics then drills into the details. The in-depth coverage of complex topics like Earned Value and Quality Control are presented in an easy to understand format with descriptions, pictures, and examples. This book will not only help you pass the PMP, it should be used as an daily reference for practicing project managers. I sure wish I had this when I was studying for the exam." --Mike Jenkins, PMP, MBA

• "I think that under the fonts and formalized goofiness, the book has a good heart (intending to cover basic principles in an honest way rather than just to pass the test). Head First PMP attempts to educate potential project managers instead of being a mere "how to pass the PMP exam" book filled with test taking tips. This is truly something which sets it apart from the other PMP certification exam books." --Jack Dahlgren, Project Management Consultant

• "Head First PMP is a great tool to help make sense of the Project Management Body of Knowledge for the everyday Project Manager." --Mark Poinelli, PMP

A PMP certification is more than just passing a test. It means that you have the knowledge to solve most common project problems, and proves that you know your stuff. Once you're certified, your projects are more likely to succeed because you have the skills and knowledge to make them successful. Not only that, it can mean a better job, more money, and greater respect from your peers.

But studying for a difficult four-hour exam on project management isn't easy, even for experienced project managers. You want to remember everything that you're learning about project management, but your brain is working against you! Your brain craves novelty, and most PMP certification prep books are anything but novel. When you keep putting down a boring book instead of studying, it's because your brain doesn't think the information in it is worth learning. Your brain has more important stuff to think about, like how to keep you alive and out of danger-and it doesn't think that failing the PMP exam qualifies as life-threatening!

So how do you trick your brain into thinking that your life does depend on learning everything you need to know to pass the PMP Exam? Head First PMP is the answer! Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science and learning theory, Head First PMP has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works-a multi-sensory experience that helps the material stick, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Head First PMP offers 100% coverage of The PMBOK® Guide principles and certification objectives in a way that's engaging, not tedious. This book helps you prepare for the PMP certification exam with a unique method that goes beyond answers to specific questions and makes you think about the big picture of project management. By putting project management concepts into context, you will be able to understand, remember, and apply them-not just on the exam, but also on the job.

With Head First PMP, you get the best of both worlds: a thorough and effective preparation guide for the PMP certification exam with hundreds of practice questions and exam strategies, along with puzzles, games, problems, exercises and the unique Head First approach that makes learning easy and entertaining. When you're done with Head First PMP, you'll know your stuff, you'll pass the exam, and you'll be able to bring everything you've learned to your job.

About the Book

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 78 Ratings

Great book - 2009-08-13
Reviewer Rating:
Pros:
Easy to read, compared to PMBOK - where you read 1 paragraph for 20 times and still don't know what they're talking about
Completely opposite of those Phsychology books if you know what I'm talking about
Good examples
Catches your interest right from the beginning, and it doesn't look like a regular study guide

Cons:
None so far!

Best PMP Study Book! - 2009-07-09
Reviewer Rating:
If you think Rita Mulcahy's book is great but find yourself struggling and in need of better visuals, this book is it - especially when it comes to formulas. Am reading this book page by page and, after struggling for weeks with Rita's book, CDs, etc, there's a definite technique to their learning process that WORKS for me...am "understanding" more than just memorizing concepts and forumulas. For those reasons alone it was well worth the $$. ....of course, the final proof will be on exam day coming up...

Only book needed for PMP certification - 2009-09-11
Reviewer Rating:
For me, this was the only book I used to prepare for the test. I took 48 hrs class room review by the local PMI Chapter a year before I took the exam. I am sure that helped, but I needed to review only this book prior to actually taking the exam. I did not even bother with the PMBOK (3rd ed), even though I had it with me for reference. Head First PMP broke down the structure of the PMBOK material in a way that was very easy to follow and absorb the methodology. Their fun approach puts you in the right mood to tackle this 'dry' subject matter. Highly Recommended!

Pretty good - 2009-10-25
Reviewer Rating:
Pretty good, but not great. The online exam is the same as the one in the book. The book isn't very "professional" and is geared toward the younger crowd.

Great Starter Book for your initial PMP studies - 2009-10-07
Reviewer Rating:
This book contains solid material and it is appropriate for understanding the initial concepts. I highly recommend reading this first before getting into PMBOK which would put you to sleep. I cannot agree with others that say that this is the only material you will need. I have used 3 other books along with Head First to pass my PMP exam on 1st try at the beginning of October. Questions were very hard and I found them much different from the practice exam questions that I have used for my studies so consider that as well. I have also used Andy Crowe, PMBOK 4th ed, Head First and PMP Study Guide.