What Do I Put For PMP Experience Examples?
One of the questions we get most often from PMP aspirants is:
“Do you have examples of what to say for the experience section?”
Any projects that you have led and directed in a professional capacity are good for inclusion. PMI is not looking for specific industries or types of projects.
The critical thing to remember is to help them understand what you have done and why you meet the requirements. Avoid acronyms that won’t be understood outside of your business, and write in ‘project management speak’ rather than using technical terms. It may also be helpful to align the vocabulary you use to the terminology in the "PMP Exam Content Outline" and/or the PMBOK® Guide as far as you can. That way you will speak the "PMI language" ... 😉
PLEASE NOTE:
Your PMP application must be truthful and represent your personal experience using your own words. The examples in this bonus lesson are shared here from other people’s applications to illustrate various aspects of filling in the PMP application form online. They are not intended for you to copy/paste into your application form!
In the table below, we’ve highlighted some good and not-so-good ways to describe your experience. The "good ways" to use vocabulary are reflected in PMI reference materials.
The not-so-good practices describe the same activity but use words that make it harder for PMI to validate you have the required experience to take the exam.
| Good experience example | Bad experience example |
|---|---|
| Developed project charter | Created project kick-off document |
| Developed WBS | Wrote product breakdown structure |
| Managed the team through the delivery | Held regular team meetings |
Below is a sample ‘template’ for your PMP experience requirements. This format has been proven to work and is what many PMP aspirants use on their applications for PMP.
The aim is to summarize the project management tasks you managed. Write a one-line title for the project description. Then include:
- Project description (the objectives, key deliverables, and outcome)
- Product deliverables (to end-users)
- Project deliverables (needed to manage the project)
It can help to see an example of what a real applicant filled in on their form. Below, you can see edited quotes from the applications of some PMP aspirants.
WARNING: Please don’t copy these experience examples word for word on your application. We’re sharing real PMP experience examples so that you can get an idea of the way to phrase your own experience to best show off your skills. Here is a message from PMI in that regards:
Example project descriptions from real applications:
Example #1:
Design of training material for customers on telecommunications principals
Objective: To research, design & present training material in the form of presentations aimed at educating new re-sellers on fundamental telecoms principles & standards
Role: I managed the whole project. IN: Developed the charter and identified key stakeholders. PL: Planned the scope of the project while considering time and cost and quality. EX: Coordinated the execution of the research & development of the material by graphic designers. MC: Monitored schedule and quality. CL: Documented Project Closure
Outcomes: Material presented at conference
Example #2:
Installation of a Session Border Controller for Finance department
Objective: The Installation of a new Session Border Controller (SBC) to replace the existing equipment which was end of life
Role: I managed the full project life cycle. IN: Documented project charter highlighting business case. PL: Facilitated requirements workshops, developed budget, schedule, risk and communication plan. ES: Led engineers through execution & QA. MC: Closely monitored schedule, budget & risk. CL: SBC implemented and project signed off by sponsor.
Outcomes: SBC implemented and existing equipment decommissioned.
Example #3:
The design of a Wi-Fi solution for apartment block
Objective: To provide a proposal to provide Wi-Fi coverage to an apartment block for over top services of voice and data
Role: I initiated and planned the project by IN: developing the charter and identifying stakeholders. PL: I documented the project management plan which included, scope, time, quality and risk management plans. EX: I directed the team during execution while MC: controlling the scope and quality. CL: Submitted tender on time with feasible solution that met customers’ requirements
Key deliverables and outcomes: Comprehensive Tender submitted to customer