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 82 Ratings

Unorthodox but effective. - 2009-10-31
Reviewer Rating:
[...]. Before you look at it, I'd like to mention that this title being reviewed, Head First PMP, helped me.

I went through four books: Rita Mulcahy's, Kim Heldman's, Andy Crowe's, and Head First PMP.

Mulchay's book just turned me off. I did not appreciate being talked down to by the self-proclaimed *itch goddess. Sure it contains some good content but: (1) her book is cluttered, (2) her tone is dismissive, and (3) the title was not edited professionally. You can pass the PMP without having to put up with her *rap.

Heldman's isn't bad. Both authors are women but while Mulcahy is the kind you'll wish you never met, Heldman is sweet and kindly in her tone. Both women know their stuff but Kim knows how to present it in an inoffensive manner.

Crowe was highly recommended and as I discovered, rightfully so. It has a companion website that was useful.

And then there's Head First PMP! It employs an unorthodox style but it works. It is an effective learning book. The magnet exercises are useful. The "there are no dumb questions" columns contain insightful questions. And so forth. To be sure, I found that some parts of it were "corny." In my opinion, those parts did not contribute enough to justify their presence. Generally speaking however, the title was well-written and well-edited.

Great test prep resource! - 2009-11-05
Reviewer Rating:
I passed the PMP exam yesterday. I completed the test, comfortably and confidently, in less than two hours. I would attribute a lot of the credit for being prepared to using the Head First PMP book. My advice to someone trying to prepare for the PMP exam would be to read the PMBOK 4th Edition, read Head First PMP (and do all the exercises in the book), read the PMI code of ethics, then repeat the process. Do the online Head First PMP sample test a couple of days before the test. Then relax the day before the test. I thought the PMP test was very fair and asked questions that a project management practitioner should know. And I can think of many ways that future projects will be more successful than many past projects that I have participated in.

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.

Head First PMP...Heads off... - 2009-11-13
Reviewer Rating:
This is the best logically written book for computer science engineers (IT Professionals). No book comes close to this book. It explains every concepts easily and no need to memories any concept. We just need to understand the concepts which is explained with the quiz, examples and question bank.

This book should be read 1st before any book on PMP; even before Rita's PMP exam prep book and PM Fast track.

I would give 5 stars to this book.

Amazon sucks !! - 2009-11-13
Reviewer Rating:
the expected delivery time is already passed and I didn't recieve the book. this is the second time it happens to me.