Myths and Facts on PMI-ACP Examination (Part 1)
Myths and Facts on PMI-ACP Examination (Part 1)
By Satya Narayan Dash
As per PMI, Agile Certified Practitioner Certification (ACP) credential – the new kid on the certification block – is one of the fastest growing certifications, beating even some of the old war horses. That is expected to happen as cycles of development and delivery, especially in software world, continue to get shorter. In early last decade, I have seen development cycles running close to 2 years and delivery happened once in six months. That is history now in most cases. Agile is a sound fit when it comes to short iterative and incremental development with huge churn in requirements. Also PMI, which is an eight hundred pound gorilla in project management and project management certification space, continues to focus on PMI-ACP examination. Over the years, the value of this program is going to increase exponentially.
However, with as the new certification program gains ground, various theories have come up on the PMI-ACP exam. Some of them are just not correct and some of them half truths. That poses some extra challenges for the aspirants for ACP certification. Having tried my hand at PMP some five years before and than certified as a PMI-ACP, I went through my share of confusion on the program. PMI-ACP examination is not similar to PMI-PMP examination – the eligibility criteria, the reference material, pattern of questions in the exam, and above all, the exam mindset – are quite different.
In this article, let us look at some of the myths and facts on PMI-ACP certification exam.
- Myth-1: There is AgileBOK like PMBOK.
Fact: No, there is no Agile Body of Knowledge (or AgileBOK) for PMI-ACP like Project Management Body of Knowledge (or PMBOK) for PMI-PMP.
PMBOK, in its 5th edition talks of 10 knowledge areas, 47 process areas and hundreds of Input, Tools and Techniques and Outputs (ITTO) and they apply for the PMP exam. However, there is no such Body of Knowledge for PMI-ACP.
Nevertheless, PMI-ACP in its course content outline, has informed on 10 Tools and Techniques (T&T) and 43 Knowledge and Skills (K&S). These are tested in the examination.
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Myth-2: PMI-ACP Examination is similar to CSM Examination.
Fact: No, PMI-ACP is much wider and can be considered to be a superset of CSM examination’s coverage.
Scrum is one of the methodologies defined in Agile Framework. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) program from Scrum Alliance is focused only on Scrum methodology.
PMI-ACP, on the other hand, covers many methodologies –from lightweight Scrum, XP or Lean to heavyweight/prescriptive methodologies like DSDM, RUP et al. In that context, PMI-ACP’s course coverage is vast and knowledge gained is much higher. Also, the preparation will need more time and it is much tougher to crack the exam as compared to CSM.
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Myth-3: You have to read all the 11 books as informed on PMI’s website.
Fact: No – 6 to 7 books will do for the exam. But if you have the time and really can, you may read all of them.
PMI-ACP course content outline informs on 11 books, written by pioneers in various Agile methodologies and as noted by PMI, it is a reference material list. Out of bound questions may also come. However, if you fundamentals on Agile framework are strong, you should be able to answer those questions.
I believe no one can read all the 11 books and remember them all to prepare for the exam. I would suggest that, focus on few of the books with priorities and having your concepts on Agile framework clear.
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Myth-4: The exam is very specific to XP, Lean, and Scrum practices.
Fact: No, it covers them all – Scrum, XP, Lean, Kanban, DSDM, RUP, Crystal, TDD, ATDD, FDD and so on!
That is a big list. Is not it? But, do not worry. You need to focus on the four core values and twelve principles of Agile manifesto. Various methodologies have different approach of adaptation to them with variances in roles, ceremonies and certain terminologies. The role of Scrum Master in Scrum is that of a Coach (Programmer Coach or Project Management Coach) in eXtreme Programming (XP) and that role is also typically known as Team Leader in Kanban methodology. The iteration length in Scrum is of two to four weeks where in XP, it will be of one week to three weeks.
The key is conceptual understanding of the values and principles of Agile manifesto, e.g., the manifesto in one of its principles says –“Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.” In XP or Scrum, the iteration length may vary – but the focus is of two weeks to two months cycle and with a preference for the shorter ones.
And yes, there will be questions from Kanban, DSDM, TDD et al. I faced at least three to four questions only on Kanban.
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Myth-5: PMI-ACP Exam is theoretical in nature.
Fact: Conceptual understanding is of paramount importance.
Very few questions in the exam are direct, like how many ceremonies are performed in Scrum method. PMI is not known for asking direct questions straight from the books! Rather, questions are situational, tests your understanding on agile methods, values, principles and practices. It is highly likely that you may read 11 referenced books (and may be some more) and still fail in the exam!
Also, there will be quite a few mathematical questions. You will have to answer questions on velocity, story prioritization, story points, cycle time, risk adjusted story points, risk exposure, process efficiencies and so on.
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Myth-6: Earned Value Measurement (EVM) can not be applied in Agile, hence no questions from EVM in the exam.
Fact: This is another myth which is floated around, and simply not true.
EVM is best applied at Iteration level of planning, though not suitable for Release level or other higher level planning such as Product, Portfolio or Strategy. I faced EVM questions in the exam and would say that you need to have a look on it.
The calculation for EVM in agile is based primarily on story points planned and delivered. If you come from a PMP background, it will not be difficult as the concepts of PV, EV, AC, SPI, CPI, etc., are quite similar in nature to that of PMBOK/PMP. However, you need to understand how it is used in the context of Agile projects and Agile planning games.
(to be continued)
Satya Narayan Dash is management professional with around 12 years of experience. He has been associated with companies such as Motorola, Subex, Wipro, Zoho in various roles of Program Manager, Project Manager, PMO and Technical Project Leader. He has coached, mentored, and consulted over a thousand of Project Management, Consulting, PMO professionals across the globe. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, India and is a certified PMP® from PMI®, an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®) from PMI®, a certified MCTS® from Microsoft®, a certified CSM® from Scrum Alliance® and also a certified Java professional. His web presence is at http://managementyogi.blogspot.in/ and can be contacted at managementyogi@gmail.com.
i do not agree with your myth 4, can you elaborate more about it how do you think TDD is not part of XP and you find RUP has a place in PMI ACP?
@Saket
Yes, TDD is part of XP. Also initially part of Scrum! Actually, when Scrum was 1st written by Jeff Sutherland, TDD was part of. But that does not mean TDD=XP or TDD=Scrum. TDD is a separate agile methodology.
Let me elaborate more. Continuous Integration, Refactoring etc are primarily XP practices. But today, Scrum has also adopted them. Like when it is said to be “done” in Scrum, it means it is refactored also (Ken Schwaber – Agile Project Management with Scrum, where he talks of “Clean Code”). Does that mean XP=Scrum? What it means that they complement each other, not contradict each other.
RUP is a heavyweight methodology (similarly DSDM et al). Scrum, Lean etc. are lightweight and less prescriptive. Yes, RUP has a place in PMI-ACP. In fact, PMI-ACP never talk of any specific methodology at all – you may check all the 11 T&T and 43 K&S from the exam content outline – nowhere it talks of a specific agile methodology.
Rather the focus is on values, principles, and practices. More specifically methodologies can have own approaches – but they do follow the four core values, the 12 principles of the agile manifesto and they have their own add-ons/modifications, too. One organization can it own modifications too as well – hence “Process Tailoring” as one of the tools and techniques under “”Planning, Monitoring and Adapting” T&T.
I disagree that RUP has place in PMI ACP , it contradicts with your Myth No 3, you said 6-7 books from the 11 PMI Reference will do the work, but the fact is none of the 11 books talk about RUP. Can you Name the book and Chapter where RUP phases has been elaborated ?
Second , please share how you can qualify TDD as separate methodology, where many of us believe its one of the XP practice (Test First Development), Again it would be good if you can tell where did you see TDD as a Methodology in 11 Reference Book?
I have been training people for PMI-ACP and 50+ students of mine are already certified, i am concerned because your post is creating myths rather than busting them.
I agree to disagree. I know what I am saying. On both – repeat – RUP can have a place and TDD is separate on its own, though used in XP.
And reference books are only “reference books”. As noted by PMI – “After carefully reviewing the examination blueprint and identifying learning needs, candidates and training providers may wish to identify additional resources and study opportunities, as necessary”. Hence, not necessary that questions will come exactly from those 11 books.
I do not know about your business of training. This article is free and letting people know what actually happens in the exam. Also, ethical practices of high importance and PMI jealously guards them (also in my next post) – can you tell me the organization details you are referring to from where you gave training?
I tend to agree with most of the point mentioned by Saket. Some of the points mentioned in this post are creating confusion and these are quite debatable while I believe the intention was to help ACP aspirants.
Let me share my own views on some of these points:
1) TDD – XP guru Kent Black is credited to have discovered this. It came with XP but as this can be very well used in typical waterfall model also, it has created more general interest in its own right so when you treat this as separate methodology, i can see where you are coming from. However, when we purely talk about agile frameworks and methodologies, it is nowhere parallel to scrum or XP or Kanban etc. Hence, it’s inappropriate to put this among the list of agile frameworks.
I actually remember seeing a question in actual exam about choosing a valid XP practice among the given options and right answer was TDD. What does that say?
2) I have not seen a single question in ACP exam on anything other than scrum, XP, Lean and Kanban. I have also not heard anyone mentioning about seeing questions beyond these four. Even if someone gets 1-2 questions on RUP, FDD etc, I wouldn’t really call that as coverage. The fact is, PMI ACP is more inclined towards lightweight frameworks.
3)Myth 2 is incorrect – I don’t believe 6-7 books are required to clear the exam. I know large number of people who have passed this just by reading course material of a single training provider or by just reading Andy Crow or Mike Griffith’s book. I myself just read 3 books and passed with proficient grades [Later I read all others].
I agree with the author of the piece.
XP is not discovered by Kent, rather re-discovered and later enhanced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test-driven_development
Also, the author has nowhere said to focus on the frameworks or on a particular coverage, rather focus on the principles/practices.
In a highly commercialized arena as on today, appreciate the author’s frankness inplace pushing for a particular training provider or certain books, which is unfortunate. It is based on his personal experience and everyone’s experience will differ in some way. Let us encourage to inform, rather than pushing for particular training or books.
I put this in linkedin for reference and perhaps comments are coming from there. First of all, let us encourage to know. It serves all well. No one religiously follows one particular prescribed way when good amount of money is involved. Everyone’s perspective will be somewhat different based on their experiences, but a broad perspective covering all aspects is good for all.
I agree with the author of the main article – that questions related to DSDM, Crystal etc. are also part of. DSDM has MoSCoW technique, Information Radiator comes from Crystal and so on. As I checked with few certified people, there are questions on MoSCoW, Information Radiators. These are “must know”. I think the author is informing that – focus on the 4 values, 12 principles, practices and know the variations and modifications.
Agree with other comment: Commercial interest is spilling over – while pushing for certain things. Unfortunately, yes and it is sad. That looks to be the case.
Even if it covers RUP or FDD (next even if it covers DSDM or Crystal…?)…, looks to be obfuscating. If concepts are from DSDM and Crystal, people have to know. Right? I personally would like to know as much information as possible on the exam from different points of view, before taking the exam.
Jeevan
Meant TDD in the previous comment – TDD was rediscovered. TDD existed before. In XP, it is used.
Quote:
I actually remember seeing a question in actual exam about choosing a valid XP practice among the given options and right answer was TDD. What does that say?
How did you know it was the right answer?
PMI never says which is correct and which is not. No one yet knows the pass percentage – only grading is known.There may be choices like TFD or ATDD, which better than TDD. No?
After checking many sources, donot think TDD was mentioned as 12 practices in XP. It is simply “Testing”, with test should be done first before coding.
Quote:
“…Even if someone gets 1-2 questions on RUP, FDD etc…”
If you start discounting that, then also you will discount DSDM (MoSCoW questions are there for sure), Crystal (Information Radiator etc. are also there)! Now, considering others, around 15/20 questions will be discounted out of 120.
Is that a correct way to proceed as no one really knows what is the pass percentage in PMI examinations, typically? I would rather spend a few hours knowing on them than completely discarding.