I’ve recently spent a little time with PM Prepcast. It’s an impressive package. Here are some quick notes for you.
Installation / Access
I was surprised to see that the PM Prepcast is delivered the same way Cornelius delivers his Podcast. I don’t know why I was surprised by that, but I was. It’s a remarkably smooth delivery mechanism. Upon purchase, delivery instructions tell you how to subscribe to the PrepCast via iTunes. For those of us who don’t use iTunes, Cornelius also includes generic instructions. That was helpful for me, since I’m a linux user, and even if I used Windows, I’d probably still find a way not to use that really unpleasant and bloated iTunes application. I was able to subscribe easily to the PrepCast using both Banshee and GPodder on the openSUSE 11.1 Gnome desktop.
I was further surprised that unlike many purchased packages delivered in similar fashion, Cornelius didn’t make me jump through hoops to subscribe on multiple machines or on multiple software applications. I have a laptop at home and at work and subscribe via a total of 3 applications. They’re all for me, not for sharing, and Cornelius trusts his subscribers to that end. Bravo!
Format and Structure
PM Prepcastt has a complete and comprehensive structure as a training package. Predictably, you have an “episode” or video chapter to view for each process and knowledge area. But in addition, Cornelius includes more “episodes” and chapters. Here’s a quick run down of what you’ll notice immediately:
- episodes for processes and knowledge areas (just as you’d expect)
- introduction to the course
- detailed, understandable instructions for applying for the PMP exam, including tips on how to prepare for and handle an application audit.
- suggestions for effective exam study
- how to leverage the course for exam study
- value-add episodes of interviews with PMPs about their exam experience (fully within ethical guidelines!)
As with any podcast, you can download it all at once, or only as you need it.
Not just for exam prep
Not all practitioners of Cottage PM — project management in less formal PM environments — may need to pursue a PMP certification. But I do think that all practitioners of project management should pursue more knowledge and skill, perhaps most especially where the PM environment of one’s own enterprise doesn’t provide PM structure, norms, and knowledge.
Tools like the PM Podcast and the PM Prepcast can be helpful to practitioners of Cottage PM, whether or not sitting for the PMP exam is on you radar. How does a tool like PM Prepcast help the practitioner? Here are some ideas:
- Get an overview of accepted PM practices, tools, and knowledge areas.
- Enjoy a skill review, a way to freshen skills or find a new tool for a project that’s proving to be a challenge for you.
- Explore inexpensively whether or not to pursue PMP by listening to the requirements and material before committing too many resources or too much time to the effort.
- Practice PMBOK processes and review knowledge areas.
So go get a copy of PM Prepcast. Get a new idea, a new tool, or a new insight that will help you be a better PM.
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