I hope this post helps those on the journey to Practitioner. There is a lack of resources on this test. It is also difficult. Do not underestimate it.
The book is packed full of wisdom. It has become one of my favorites. Not because it's a good prep book... but because it's a fantastic resource.
Unfortunately, you are not tested on wisdom. You are tested on how specific statements in the book match a given scenario. You must read a given sentence and recall (for example) that "communication is two way" or that we must "design for experience" ... and so on. What makes this challenging are the vague and often invisible assumptions. I hate to say this, but I will say it anyway. You must study hard, because the Practitioner exam is so poorly written.
Here are my tips:
For CSI, memorize the specific outputs of each step. Also know the tools in each step. The book is NOT explicit here. Know that some questions will work backward from the tool. For example, you might have to infer that 1) the
business case is used to obtain agreement; 2) stakeholder agreement is cemented in
"where do we want to be?"; 3) ...and so on. You must map out CSI in your head. Here is my outline:
https://imgur.com/91nUOze
For OCM, be aware of the order within the Stakeholder Management (Identify; Prioritize; Understand; Plan) and Empowerment (Identify (TNA); Plan (Plan); Do (Train); Measure). Again, the book is not explicit here. Here is my outline:
https://imgur.com/91nUOze
Know your metrics well. The book could have been more visual with these. Here is my outline:
https://imgur.com/7KLngpZ
Know the meaning of "adopt and adapt". Know the difference between outputs and outcomes. Know how it ties in with VOCR. Be able to identify the specific V, O, C and R given a sentence containing these elements. You will be tested on detail.
Know the tools in Chapter 7. I recommend filling out EVERY template, using your current work situation as a basis. Then do it AGAIN, using Axelos' case study as a basis. Use your imagination to fill an blanks. By the way. The case study in the sample paper is the same as on the test, so memorize it!
What do you NOT need to know? Items that won't appear include the Stages of Grief, Gartner Hype Cycle, COBIT, etc. They are inside the book but outside the syllabus.
For prep material, you need the official book and free sample papers. That's it. I do not recommend instructor-led training. The book is clear and concise enough that none is needed. In fact, I couldn't find a course that truly complemented the book. It only wasted time and muddied the waters. Of the courses I surveyed for my company (both online and offline), all were dismal.
In short... Practitioner is a good product. The book in particular is fantastic. The test is tough, but for the wrong reasons. Read the book carefully. Read it at least twice and do the practice exams. If you're doing this with a group, scheduling a few chapters per week and using each tool (as they come up) on a real problem works wonderfully. My group read "Phoenix Project" in parallel which made the experience more enriching.
Good luck future Practitioners,
