Rita Mulcahy vs Head First vs Andy Crowe vs Kim Heldman PMP® Book
Which one is the best PMP® book? This should be the toughest questions to answer. Luckily, with the input of 100+ PMP® who share their learning experience through their PMP® exam lessons learned, it can be concluded that these four books are among the best PMP® Prep books. If one would study with any one of these book together with the PMBOK® Guide Guide, there is a high chance of passing the PMP® exam.
But which one is best for you depends on the type of learner you are.
We have derived the following four questions to help you select the best PMP® book that is tailored for you:
- If you want to know the ins and outs of project management and are not afraid of difficult materials, Rita’s is your definite choice.
- If you want to take it easy, go for the exam oriented guide by Andy Crowe.
- If you are a visual learner, go for Head First.
- If you want an alternative approach to the PMBOK® Guide, Kim Heldman is the best PMP® exam prep book for you.
If you would like to know more about the style and level of difficulties of individual PMP® Certification preparation books, read the comments below by 100+ PMP® they have mentioned in their lessons learned:
Rita’s PMP® Book
- By studying Rita’s PMP® book, you will have a firm grasp of the PMI®’s approach project management and familiarize yourself with the style of wording of questions in the PMP® exam.
- Rita’s book is an eye opener for project management. Your approach towards project management will change after reading the book.
- It helps you preparing for the PMP® exam.
- Though the book is quite difficult, it might discourage you initially, this will help you understand the knowledge gap you have.
- Rita’s process chart is very helpful to understand the sequence of project management processes.
- If you do not understand the PMBOK® Guide Guide fully, you might read Rita’s book to assist you. →
- However, Rita’s book does not have detailed coverage of all the ITTOs, relying on this book alone is not sufficient for the PMP® exam.
- Rita’s book requires much efforts to read. There are alternatives on the market that are much easier to study.
Head First
- Head First is especially good for visual learners as it contains a lot of diagrams and illustrations. It makes user of the advanced findings from cognitive psychology to help you understand the subjects.
- Head First includes many interactive elements and exercises to help your brain understand and remember the concepts.
- Head First makes the PMBOK® Guide Guide project management knowledge easy. Read this book if you are overwhelmed by the PMBOK® Guide Guide or Rita’s.
- Head First acts as a good beginners’ guide for the PMP® Exam preparation.
- Head First makes the learning fun. It is great for teaching you complex concepts.
Andy Crowe PMP®
- Andy Crowe is the king of context, priority, and focus for the PMP® exam.
- Andy Crowe PMP® helps simplifying complex concepts.
- Andy Crowe PMP® book is very useful PMP® reference book as it explains the project management concepts in simple and plain language.
- Andy Crowe is easy to read and understand. It is a great prep book for the PMP® exam and no more. Use this book if you want to pass the PMP® exam easily.
Kim Heldman’s PMP® Guide
- Kim Heldman’s PMP® Guide arranges the PMBOK® Guide processes by process groups which is different from the PMBOK® Guide Guide and all other PMP® exam prep books. It is also illustrated with lots of real-life examples to help you understand the concepts. It also include some great PMP® exam tips.
The Best PMP® Book Goes to …
From the survey of 100 PMP®s, the following are the most mentioned PMP® Exam Prep books for their PMP® preparation and study.
But be reminded that the best PMP® book is the book that can help you to pass the PMP® exam successfully. You might think try reading chapter samples from the links below to see which book suits your learning style before purchasing one.
- 4th: Kim Heldman with 10 mentions
- 5th: Scordo with 7 mentions
- Others PMP® books mentioned by PMP®s: Ultimate PMP® and Crosswind
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