You do not need to take any classes in order to qualify for the test. You do have to apply and demonstrate professional experience in the field.
The test is now being given at the start of several conventions other than the AACEi, including the Primavera Users Conference and the PMI Collage of Scheduling Annual Conference. The AACEi can directly administer the test at remote locations as well.
Member for
20 years 3 months
Member for20 years3 months
Submitted by Mohammad Nassar on Mon, 2005-09-19 11:14
The Planning & Scheduling Professional certification is indeed aimed at those doing Planning and Scheduling as a profession, not at Project Managers. It requires much more professional experience and knowledge to even be allowed to test for the certification. So far, 100 professionals have passed the exam. Many people have also failed. This test is intended to fail those who are not proficient enough to properly perform this task unassisted.
The PSP is not nearly as widely promoted as the PMP. The PSP Certification program is only one year old. The first training class was a 2-day course held just prior to the AACEi Annual Conference last month. The PSP exam is being given at the Primavera Conferences as well as at this year’s PMI College of Scheduling Annual Conference this past spring.
Can you point me in the right direction for locating training classes for the PSP?
I am trying to determine if the PMP or the PSP is more planning and scheduling oriented. Im not interested in becoming a Project Manager, but I would certainly like the recognition that some type of certification would afford.
Any suggestions?
Member for
22 years 10 months
Member for22 years10 months
Submitted by Ronald Winter on Thu, 2005-04-21 17:06
I asked several PSP-holders your question and received an encouraging response. (I used the AACEi Planning & Scheduling Committee email broadcast system.)
The test will not ask for technical construction trade procedures, but legal terms such as “Notice To Proceed” might be included. I think the real difference here is that like construction scheduling, the certification is focused on logic-based CPM scheduling. Many IT-type planning professionals focus more on resource-driven CPM scheduling. The two are entirely different styles.
For example, you need to understand the interactions of applying constraints to progress override CPM calculations with out-of-sequence progress. This is the stuff that 8+ years CPM professionals in the construction industry have to deal with on a daily basis.
I hope that this clears up your questions. Good luck!
Member for
22 years 10 months
Member for22 years10 months
Submitted by Ronald Winter on Thu, 2005-04-21 13:28
The PSP examination consists of four parts (1 hour 45 minutes each).
• Part I is Basic Knowledge. It consists of multiple-choice questions concerning the basics of planning and scheduling.
• Part II is Planning and Scheduling Applications. It consists of multiple-choice questions involving planning and scheduling scenarios.
• Part III is a Practical Exercise. This part entails answering a series of multiple-choice questions concerning various aspects of a single problem.
• Part IV is a real-time Communications Exercise. It requires the candidate to draft the equivalent of a one-page typewritten (maximum) memorandum to simulate reporting on planning and scheduling analysis to the project manager, explaining the issues and proposing a solution regarding a given problem.
Member for
22 years 6 months
Member for22 years7 months
Submitted by Will Russell on Thu, 2005-04-21 13:00
Ive never been in the construction industry, mainly defence, consulting (in telecomms and IT) and the scientific engineering arena, but have looked at this qualification with interest would I be at a significant disadvantage?
Will
Member for
22 years 6 months
Member for22 years6 months
Submitted by AHMED A A SOLIMAN on Sat, 2005-04-16 01:49
I have the PSP certification and believe that it is the most worth-while certification a Planner or Scheduler can have. It is rooted in the construction industry and people without a construction background will be at a disadvantage. Students and people new to the field of scheduling will also find this exam beyond their capabilities.
One quarter of the exam (each quarter must be passed to pass the exam) is on communications. You have to prepare a mock memo to your superior about a particular situation. PSP people need to be able to communicate their understanding as well as just understand.
Several recent court cases were decided in the favor of the side with the PSP certification. Each time, the Judge stated that the PSP certification made that witness more creditable than the other side and that was the deciding factor. Good luck to you!
Ron Winter, PSP
Member for
21 years 5 months
Member for21 years5 months
Submitted by Chris Oggham on Fri, 2005-04-15 04:27
I dont know much about this qualification other than that it was initiated in 2004. Before certification is obtained the candidate must demonstrate a high level of experience, provide evidence of a certain level of education or its equivalent, and pass a series of exam papers.
It certainly appears to be quite a demanding programme, and it is already recognised by some employers particularly in the USA.
Member for
14 years 3 monthsdear all ,I need psp exams
dear all ,
I need psp exams and sample quesions to surely pass this exam !!! :)
Member for
14 years 10 monthsHello to all, I want to do
Hello to all, I want to do the Certification, which one is better ? AACE-PSP or PMI-SP.
Please any one know share with me and also what is the procedure for PSP registration to take exam.
Shree
Member for
14 years 10 monthsHello to all, I want to do
Hello to all, I want to do the Certification, which one is better ? AACE-PSP or PMI-SP.
Please any one know share with me and also what is the procedure for PSP registration to take exam.
Shree
Member for
17 years 3 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Dear Nathaniel,
You can order the PSP study Guide from AACE and at the end of each chapter there is a list of questions and answers.
With kind regards,
Samer
Member for
15 years 8 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Did anyone every post answer to number 1, a sample section 4 of the certification?
Member for
19 years 3 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
I am currently preparing to take this exam and have a few questions for anyone who has taken it or is also preparing.
1. Are there any sample tests or questions available anywhere in order to get a sense of the type of questions on the test.
2. Which of the 4 recommended books is the best to use in preparing for the test?
3. Are there many questions on earned value, estimating and engineering economics?
4. Also any insight on how to prepare for the essay section would also be helpful.
Thanks
Member for
22 years 10 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Mohammad,
You do not need to take any classes in order to qualify for the test. You do have to apply and demonstrate professional experience in the field.
The test is now being given at the start of several conventions other than the AACEi, including the Primavera Users Conference and the PMI Collage of Scheduling Annual Conference. The AACEi can directly administer the test at remote locations as well.
Member for
20 years 3 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Hi Roland,
Is the training class mandatory to be eligible to set for the exam?!!
Thanx
Member for
22 years 10 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Beverly,
The Planning & Scheduling Professional certification is indeed aimed at those doing Planning and Scheduling as a profession, not at Project Managers. It requires much more professional experience and knowledge to even be allowed to test for the certification. So far, 100 professionals have passed the exam. Many people have also failed. This test is intended to fail those who are not proficient enough to properly perform this task unassisted.
The PSP is not nearly as widely promoted as the PMP. The PSP Certification program is only one year old. The first training class was a 2-day course held just prior to the AACEi Annual Conference last month. The PSP exam is being given at the Primavera Conferences as well as at this year’s PMI College of Scheduling Annual Conference this past spring.
You can look to http://www.aacei.org/certification/GuideToPSPCertification.pdf for more on the PSP or http://www.aacei.org/certification/prepareforthepspexam.shtml on how to prepare for the exam. Good luck!
Member for
20 years 3 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Can you point me in the right direction for locating training classes for the PSP?
I am trying to determine if the PMP or the PSP is more planning and scheduling oriented. Im not interested in becoming a Project Manager, but I would certainly like the recognition that some type of certification would afford.
Any suggestions?
Member for
22 years 10 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Will,
I asked several PSP-holders your question and received an encouraging response. (I used the AACEi Planning & Scheduling Committee email broadcast system.)
The test will not ask for technical construction trade procedures, but legal terms such as “Notice To Proceed” might be included. I think the real difference here is that like construction scheduling, the certification is focused on logic-based CPM scheduling. Many IT-type planning professionals focus more on resource-driven CPM scheduling. The two are entirely different styles.
For example, you need to understand the interactions of applying constraints to progress override CPM calculations with out-of-sequence progress. This is the stuff that 8+ years CPM professionals in the construction industry have to deal with on a daily basis.
I hope that this clears up your questions. Good luck!
Member for
22 years 10 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Ahmed,
I went to the on-line brochure at http://www.aacei.org/certification/GuideToPSPCertification.pdf and got the following,
The PSP examination consists of four parts (1 hour 45 minutes each).
• Part I is Basic Knowledge. It consists of multiple-choice questions concerning the basics of planning and scheduling.
• Part II is Planning and Scheduling Applications. It consists of multiple-choice questions involving planning and scheduling scenarios.
• Part III is a Practical Exercise. This part entails answering a series of multiple-choice questions concerning various aspects of a single problem.
• Part IV is a real-time Communications Exercise. It requires the candidate to draft the equivalent of a one-page typewritten (maximum) memorandum to simulate reporting on planning and scheduling analysis to the project manager, explaining the issues and proposing a solution regarding a given problem.
Member for
22 years 6 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Ron,
How biased is this to the construction industry?
Ive never been in the construction industry, mainly defence, consulting (in telecomms and IT) and the scientific engineering arena, but have looked at this qualification with interest would I be at a significant disadvantage?
Will
Member for
22 years 6 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Ronald,
Could you please brief us about the other three quarters ?
Member for
22 years 10 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
I have the PSP certification and believe that it is the most worth-while certification a Planner or Scheduler can have. It is rooted in the construction industry and people without a construction background will be at a disadvantage. Students and people new to the field of scheduling will also find this exam beyond their capabilities.
One quarter of the exam (each quarter must be passed to pass the exam) is on communications. You have to prepare a mock memo to your superior about a particular situation. PSP people need to be able to communicate their understanding as well as just understand.
Several recent court cases were decided in the favor of the side with the PSP certification. Each time, the Judge stated that the PSP certification made that witness more creditable than the other side and that was the deciding factor. Good luck to you!
Ron Winter, PSP
Member for
21 years 5 monthsRE: PSP Certification Program
Ahmed,
I dont know much about this qualification other than that it was initiated in 2004. Before certification is obtained the candidate must demonstrate a high level of experience, provide evidence of a certain level of education or its equivalent, and pass a series of exam papers.
It certainly appears to be quite a demanding programme, and it is already recognised by some employers particularly in the USA.
Good Luck! I hope you do well.
Chris