With over a million Project Management Professionals worldwide, the Project Management Institute’s certification program is now a standard across all industries. Becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® involves meeting certain education and experience requirements, and passing a 180-question exam. (PMP Certification Handbook from PMI.)
The key to passing the exam is to understand the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) view of project management. This means reviewing and understanding PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and the PMI Agile Practice Guide, but also becoming familiar with how PMI expects project managers to apply that knowledge. In most cases, this requires PMP-candidates to become familiar with new concepts during their PMP exam preparation, and/or to “unlearn” practices that they have picked up over the years.
This course provides a solid PMP prep foundation – we present and explain all the concepts you need to know. While other PMP training courses focus on last-minute cramming to prepare you for the exam, we assume you actually want to learn something from your PMP education. No pre-reading is required before taking our course, but you should be prepared to study the materials we provide – it’s a closed book exam.
Who should take this PMP Certification Prep course?
Course participants should be familiar with the certification process, and meet the PMP experience requirements prior to attending. You should also be reasonably familiar with modern project management techniques, as advocated by PMI, and be planning on sitting for the exam within a couple of months of completing this course.
Where is this course offered?
The course is offered on an open-enrollment basis at our Project Management Education Center in Bellevue/Kirkland, WA, (which also serves Seattle, Olympia, Redmond, Renton, Everett, and Tacoma), as well as at our Project Management Education Center in Tucson, AZ (which also serves the Greater Phoenix area, Oro Valley, and Sierra Vista / Fort Huachuca), and other select locations such as Grand Cayman. We also provide it on an on-site basis anywhere in the world, and online using live instructors.
PMP Prep Course Objectives
By the end of the course you will :
- Understand PMI’s approach to project management.
- Understand how the PMP exam is structured, and what kinds of questions will be asked.
- Be very familiar with PMI-advocated project management best practices.
- Possess various tricks, tips, techniques, and templates to help you retain information for the exam.
PMP Prep Course Details
- Length: 40 hours.
- Materials: Hardcopy and electronic versions of the PMI ATP Authorized PMP Exam Prep manual. Access to PMI Choice online digital resources. Hardcopy Key Consulting 3″ binder of PMP materials to augment and explain the PMI manual. 200 sample PMP questions provided by PMI. Online access to exam simulator with more than 2000 sample PMP questions.
- Style: Our style of training is very interactive. For online courses, both instructor and participants are on-camera throughout the course. We consistently receive excellent ratings from training participants, While we make the course as practical as possible, the focus is kept on PMP exam preparation. The course meets the PMP certification training requirement of 35 hours of formal training.
- Format: Classroom. No computers required for in-person classroom training.
- Prerequisites: PMP certification experience requirements, familiarity with modern project management techniques.
- More details: Read our PMP course FAQs
PMP Exam Prep Course Content
PMP Prep Module One
- Introductions and Expectations
- The Exam and Exam Techniques
- Basic Concepts
- Project Life Cycles
- Introduction to Stakeholders
- The Project Management Plan
Module Two
- Define Team Ground Rules
- Negotiate Project Agreements
- Empower Team Members and Stakeholders
- Train Team Members and Stakeholders
- Engage and Support Virtual Teams
Module Three
- Build Shared Understanding about a Project
- Determine the Appropriate Project Methodology/Methods and Practices
- Plan and Manage Scope
Module Four
- Plan and Manage Scope cont.
- Plan and Manage Schedule
Module Five
- Plan and Manage Budget and Resources
- Plan and Manage Quality of Products and Deliverables
- Integrate Project Planning Activities
Module Six
- Plan and Manager Procurement
- Establish Governance Structure
- Plan and Manage Project/Phase Closure
Module Seven
- Assess and Manage Risks
- Execute Project to Deliver Business Value
Module Eight
- Manage Communications
- Engage Stakeholders
- Create Project Artifacts
- Manage Project Changes
- Manage Project Issues
Module Nine
- Ensure Knowledge Transfer for Project Continuity
- Lead a Team
- Support Team Performance
- Address and Remove Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers
- Manage Conflict
Module Ten
- Collaborate with Stakeholders
- Mentor Relevant Stakeholders
- Apply Emotional Intelligence
- Manage Compliance Requirements
- Evaluate and Deliver Project Benefits and Value
- Evaluate and Address Internal and External Business Environment Changes
- Support Organizational Change
- Employ Continuous Process Improvement
PMP Preparation PDF Course Description
PMP Certification Preparation course outline, suitable for saving or printing.
Joe G –
I just completed the 5-day (1 day a week for 5 weeks) PMP Exam Prep “Boot Camp” with Sal. Sal was a GREAT instructor. If you are serious about taking the PMP test, this class is a must. Key Consulting’s Kevin Archbold provided outstanding guidance to me as I was making the decision on how to move forward. The Boot Camp was jammed packed with information that provided me the tools I needed to prepare for the test. I will take the test in the next few weeks. Suggestion- take this class 4-6 weeks from the day you want to take the test. Do not let much time pass between boot camp and the test. Good luck.
Kathy B –
Kevin is a great instructor.
Ahuvah R –
Just passed the PMP exam, a journey that began in November 2019 in bootcamp with Sal. There is no getting around the additional studying that is required following bootcamp, but what bootcamp did for me is get me through a first pass overview of the entire material on a concentrated schedule. In addition, the instructor provided tips and tricks that proved to be very helpful. The Rita Mulcahy Exam Prep book they reference (in addition to the PMBOK) is AMAZING! And the added bonus was meeting my bootcamp classmate who ended up becoming the best study buddy ever, keeping each other accountable and disciplined! When COVID-19 hit, we continued our study sessions on Zoom. I wish everyone success in your studies. Thank you Key Consulting and Sal!
Brad C –
This course covered everything I needed to know to pass the PMP exam on the first try. After receiving feedback from individuals that took the course via other avenues, I highly recommend taking the Key Consulting, Inc. course.
Mike K –
The class was very good and I’ll recommend it to people who want to do it in the future
Liz A –
This training was very helpful in communicating areas of knowledge to help prepare for the test. This training also helped in piecing together information for a better overall understanding.
Paul P –
A lot of info to cover in 5 days. Very informative and relevant material. Got more out of the course than I expected. Providing humor, real world connections, and open discussion provided an awesome learning experience for me.
Jenny F –
I truly believe taking your course early on in studying was more helpful and key rather than doing it at the end of studying. It was a huge help to me to take it early and really created a better study pattern for me.
Matt S –
Appreciate the practical examples beyond just covering “this is in the PMBOK”.
Michael W –
The questions during class, like fill in the blank, were very helpful.
Dominic C –
The course was great! I feel as though I have a more clear direction and path to follow for my goal to study for and pass the PMP. Thank you!
Kasey T –
Very informative. Increased my confidence level with the materials.
Jenny F –
The course content and instruction were WELL worth attendance. Great instruction and examples. Thank you!
Katherine K –
Course was very well done and engaging. Size of the course was nice. Instructor was very knowledgeable. I feel much better prepared for the PMP exam.
Kieran D –
Very well laid out informative course/bootcamp. Great preparation for the exam. Good handouts. Kevin answered all questions from the team in a precise way. Have already given positive feedback to my company.
Horace W –
I enjoyed this course, as I can see how I can use this method in my current role at work. I am now looking forward to becoming certified.
CJP –
The frequent quizzes were useful.
Thomas T –
Phenomenal course! Well worth the expense. Kevin is an outstanding instructor and resource.
Albert S –
Overall the class was very good refresher for project management. It is a lot of information to absorb. I appreciated the beverages and snacks.
Kim J –
I was not afraid of having a wrong answer. I felt Sal sincerely wants us to succeed in our careers and on the PMP exam. I appreciate the offer to answer questions even after the bootcamp.
Grette R –
Sal was great, and made learning fun and understandable. I would highly recommend her as a teacher! Thanks Sal!
Derrick H –
Instructor was knowledgeable, personable, and engaging. Maybe longer lunches at the expense to fewer breaks? Overall a great course. Thank You!
Bob F –
Excellent Job. Thanks for the 6th edition updates. See you at future study sessions and PMI chapter events.
Chelsea R –
Very helpful. Look forward to attending future study groups!
Michael M –
I didn’t “get it” the first time that I took the course because I was so overwhelmed by the information. I took the course again (for free). This time around I was much more relaxed and truly enjoyed the course. The modules are about as linearly aligned as they can be, which really helps.
Bria O –
Well organized material. Great pace. Easy to understand. Great course. Must better than classes taken elsewhere.
I attended Key Consulting’s CAPM/PMP Exam Prep bootcamp course in February 2018 while studying for my CAPM. The material was presented in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. As a presenter, Kevin does well at keeping participants actively engaged and provides helpful hints to remember certain material. The information presented was more than enough for the CAPM which I earned on the first try on March 26 and will serve as a helpful foundation for my continuing studies toward the PMP with the PMBOK6. Highly recommend this course!
Christi W –
Excellent! Ralph was well informed on all topics. There were some tangents, but he was engaging and able to answer questions.
Kylie R –
Thank you Ralph! You made this class much more fun than it could have been. Having a good and engaging instructor makes paying attention easy!
Molly H –
Ralph is awesome! Thanks.
Laura N –
Very clear presentation of the content and expectation setting for what the PMP exam will entail. Thanks Ralph!
Jessie B –
Ralph’s humor was great and kept me alive and aware!
Kelsey B –
Ralph made the content accessible and brought great energy and humor.
Anjie C –
Instructor was the best. Ralph was really great, very funny and engaging!
Joshua E –
It is indeed a lot of material to take in in 5 days. However, Kevin is a great instructor. His presentation is clear and explanatory. Willing to answer questions and always gives examples to make sure you understand.
Levi A –
Very well delivered course. Suitable amount of time to learn materials. Really enjoyed the training course and Kevin was excellent.
Marc S –
Class was very informative. Kevin would answer questions outside the material (MS Project etc) and did not let it affect the material or timing of the class.
Steve C –
Instructor was informative, well prepared, and capable of presenting the material in a clear manner. Highly recommended as a pre-cursor to the test.
Andy J –
A bit of information overload. Would have preferred to space the class schedule over a slightly longer time period to digest and practice the data. For the time period available Kevin did a great job with material/teaching pace and balancing real world examples with “pmi universe” examples.
Dalveen S –
Great job Kevin!! Hope to be back for your review session.
Stephanie M –
Recommended by previous clients. Would recommend to others.
Jesi G –
Instruction was much more clear than sometimes the textbook information. Very helpful!
Rebecca M –
Great class. Lots of good, valuable info.
Jesus R –
Well organized contents and efficiently delivered. (A coworker recommended the class.)
Eddie P –
Ralph did a great job. He made sure lessons were not rushed, and were understood. I would definitely recommend Key and Ralph. I am definitely more confident about passing the PMP exam.
Bob Steiger –
I researched different PMP preparation Boot Camps and saw that Key Consulting’s was designed to be taken early in your preparations not right before your exam. In talking with Kevin it made sense for me as an experienced PM to take his Boot Camp early in my studies. That proved to be a huge plus in preparing for the exam. I knew what to focus on. I had been studying the RMC book and the PMBOK in a linear fashion, but during the course I saw where I had wasted some time. Kevin’s materials were a tremendous help during the boot camp. After the boot camp, in my final week of preparation, the Key Concepts and Summaries at the end of his 3 ring binder were awesome in helping me focus on subjects where the test questions identified I was weak. I passed the test the first time with about 120 hours of studying including Key Consulting’s Boot Camp. Kevin’s instruction and materials and the fact I took the boot camp early in my studying saved me a HUGE amount of time.
Jon B –
I took the PMP Prep Boot Camp course because I was having trouble preparing for the exam: it had been years since I self-studied for an exam, and the demands of work and home were making it hard to set a routine. The Key course follows the RMC text and lays out the concepts more clearly than reviewing the PMBOK Guide. The course gave me the tools I needed to successfully study and pass the exam. I would recommend the class to anyone who needs a framework to follow.