Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam

Introduction to the PMBOK^® Guide

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide – Fourth Edition)

• Key project management terms and the project life cycle
• Identifying External Environmental Factors (EEFs) and Organisational Process Areas (OPAs)
• Organisational structure and influences

Mapping the interrelationships of knowledge areas to process groups

• Outlining the five process groups
• Defining the nine knowledge areas

Project Integration and Scope Management

Identifying and integrating processes and activities

• Identifying a new project, business case and strategic plans
• Defining and coordinating all subsidiary plans
• Change control and configuration management

Defining, verifying and controlling the scope

• Facilitating requirements-gathering using interviews, workshops, group creativity and decision-making techniques
• Requirements changes and traceability matrices
• Determining scope through product analysis and Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)
• Creating the WBS through decomposition
• Setting the scope baseline and analysing variances

Project Time and Cost Management

Time management

• Defining and sequencing activities
• Estimating activity resources and durations with analogous, parametric and three-point techniques
• Developing the schedule using PDM, ADM and CDM diagrams

Determining the cost baseline and applying Earned Value Management (EVM)

• Identifying costs and calculating performance baseline
• Assessing EVM key dimensions, variances and indices
• Forecasting with EVM
• Performance reporting

Project Quality Management

Implementing systems for quality

• Preventing nonconformance through Cost of Quality (CoQ)
• Performing continuous improvements

Tools and techniques to study

• Planning for quality using statistical tools
• Implementing quality metrics and audits

Project Human Resource, Communication and Procurement Management

Developing the plan and acquiring the team

• Creating hierarchical and matrix charts (RAM & RACI)
• Developing the team
• Reward and recognition
• Motivational theories
• Conflict resolution techniques

Managing the stakeholders through communication

• Analysing stakeholders and their expectations
• Distributing information with communication models
• Applying communication theory and the levels of power

Procurement management

• Choosing contract types
• Performing make-or-buy analysis
• Formally accepting the product and closing the project or phase

Project Risk Management

Assessing project risks

• Identifying risks and risk awareness
• Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis
• Evaluating Expected Monetary Value (EMV)

Exam-relevant tools and techniques

• Developing threat/opportunity response strategies
• Reassessing and controlling risks

Planning for the Exam

Preparing for test day

• Gaining insight into the exam process
• Applying proven tips for exam success
• Conquering exam apprehension

Personalising your study plan

• Identifying your strengths and weaknesses
• Designing a plan that works for you
• Incorporating study tips for best results
• Optimising your study time and focus

Professional Responsibility and Ethics

• The PMI^® Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Balancing the interests of stakeholders
• Doing the right thing at the right time