Welcome to the eighth installment of my Certification Series! After diving deep into both defensive and offensive security, it was time to round out my skillset with a certification that focuses on the “business” side of IT. That brought me to the CompTIA Project+.

Overview of the CompTIA Project+

The Project+ (currently the PK0-005 exam) is a foundational certification designed for IT professionals who want to understand the basics of project management. While it’s not as well-known as the PMP, it provides a solid overview of the project lifecycle and the tools used to manage projects effectively.

The exam covers four major domains:

  1. Project Basics: Understanding the fundamental concepts and terms of project management.
  2. Project Constraints: Identifying and managing the constraints of a project (time, cost, scope, quality).
  3. Communication and Change Management: Effectively communicating with stakeholders and managing changes to a project.
  4. Project Tools and Documentation: Understanding the tools and documentation used to manage projects.

Why Get the Project+?

The Project+ is an excellent certification for anyone looking to move into a leadership or management role in IT.

  • Essential Skills: It provides a solid foundation in project management concepts that are applicable to any IT role.
  • Business Perspective: It helps you understand the “business” side of IT projects and how to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
  • Valuable Credential: While not as widely recognized as the PMP, the Project+ is still a valuable credential that can help you stand out to employers.

Study Materials Used

The Project+ is a relatively straightforward exam, so I utilized resources that offered a clear and concise overview of the material.

  1. Jason Dion’s Project+ Course and Practice Exams (Udemy): Dion’s focus on the project lifecycle and common tools was invaluable for this exam. His practice tests are legendary for their difficulty and realism.
  2. Casey Ayers’s Project+ Course (Pluralsight): A comprehensive resource that covers every objective in detail. It’s an excellent reference for the more administrative and process-oriented parts of the exam.
  3. Official CompTIA Project+ Study Guide (Sybex): A thick, dense book that covers every possible detail. I used this as my primary reference whenever I needed to dive deeper into a specific domain.

My Study Strategy

The Project+ is all about terminology and process.

  • Master Your Terms: Make sure you understand the fundamental concepts and terms of project management (e.g., critical path method, GANTT charts, stakeholder management).
  • Understand the Lifecycle: Get comfortable with the project lifecycle and the different phases of a project (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, closing).
  • Communication and Change Management: Don’t neglect the non-technical aspects of the exam. Understanding how to effectively communicate with stakeholders and manage changes to a project is just as important as knowing how to use project management tools.

Exam Day and Difficulty

The Project+ is a relatively straightforward exam that requires a combination of technical knowledge and analytical thinking. The situational questions and tool-based scenarios are particularly demanding.

Difficulty Rating: 5/10. The technical concepts aren’t overly complex, but the focus on terminology and process can be challenging.

Passing the Project+ was a major milestone. It gave me a new perspective on IT and helped me understand the importance of a structured and proactive approach to managing projects. And with that, I had completed my journey through the CompTIA “Trifecta” and beyond!

Up next in the Certification Series: The CompTIA PenTest+.