Ask the Author: Anand Vijayakumar
Answered Questions (4)
Anand Vijayakumar
When I started my PgMP journey in 2018, there was a lot of uncertainty. I couldn't find many books or guides on PgMP that were based on SPM V4. Established authors had published their work based on the previous edition of SPM but had not updated them to reflect the changes in SPM V4. Unlike the PMBOK, the SPM (Standard for Program Management) is not a body of knowledge and you will realize it when you start reading it. It’s quite dry and does not go into detail to help the reader understand it clearly.
Unfortunately, PMI PgMP hasn’t been lucky enough to find its own Rita Mulcahy or equivalent. Since 1991, Rita has been responsible for hundreds and thousands of project managers across the globe, getting their PMP credential and even though she died many years ago, her legacy still lives on. Till-date her book on PMP exam prep is still the best resource available in the market and usually the first suggestion or recommendation by anyone involved in the PMP training industry. Her book was instrumental in my PMP journey (just like the countless others), and the lack of such a resource was a big gap I felt during my PgMP journey and was in-part responsible for the motivation to do something about it.
So, to supplement my learning, I signed up for a training course. Apart from the course, I also had to refer to multiple books to understand industry-standard program management concepts and use my practical program management experience to make sense of what the SPM V4 was trying to convey.
To top it all off - the exam application process was another long journey which required a lot of guidance.
After I successfully passed my PgMP in April 2019, I wanted to rectify the situation and started putting together all my notes with the intention to create a guide that people can use to support their PgMP journey. I have tried to include every topic and information that you would need to know in order to achieve your PgMP Goal.
Unfortunately, PMI PgMP hasn’t been lucky enough to find its own Rita Mulcahy or equivalent. Since 1991, Rita has been responsible for hundreds and thousands of project managers across the globe, getting their PMP credential and even though she died many years ago, her legacy still lives on. Till-date her book on PMP exam prep is still the best resource available in the market and usually the first suggestion or recommendation by anyone involved in the PMP training industry. Her book was instrumental in my PMP journey (just like the countless others), and the lack of such a resource was a big gap I felt during my PgMP journey and was in-part responsible for the motivation to do something about it.
So, to supplement my learning, I signed up for a training course. Apart from the course, I also had to refer to multiple books to understand industry-standard program management concepts and use my practical program management experience to make sense of what the SPM V4 was trying to convey.
To top it all off - the exam application process was another long journey which required a lot of guidance.
After I successfully passed my PgMP in April 2019, I wanted to rectify the situation and started putting together all my notes with the intention to create a guide that people can use to support their PgMP journey. I have tried to include every topic and information that you would need to know in order to achieve your PgMP Goal.
Anand Vijayakumar
A set of exam prep questions that will compliment my current book. Either I will publish it as a separate book, or include it in the 2nd edition of my current book.
Anand Vijayakumar
Dont worry too much about the end product. Pen down your ideas, get the first draft ready without questioning your abilities or thoughts.
Once the first draft is ready, you can further fine-tune it and make it better. If you try to get it perfect in the first run, you will be endlessly wasting time because you dont have an end-goal in mind. You will be writing and rewriting the first chapter forever.
Once the first draft is ready, you can further fine-tune it and make it better. If you try to get it perfect in the first run, you will be endlessly wasting time because you dont have an end-goal in mind. You will be writing and rewriting the first chapter forever.
Anand Vijayakumar
I usually just take a silent walk in the nearby park or beach to clear my head and thoughts without thinking too much about the Book. Usually in a day or two, the block goes away and many a time, good ideas pop-by while strolling in the quiet parks.
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