Project Management Practitioner

PMP Exam questions are framed in few styles. Some of the most popular styles are

Scenario based
It will describe one scenario in the project life cycle and throws a questions based on the given scenario.

Formula based
Usually, it will ask you to solve some variance related questions. Learn the important key formulas.

Questions about tools & techniques, inputs and outputs
These questions will name some process groups and ask you to find the tools & techniques, inputs or outputs related the specified process group.

Definitions
Some questions will ask you to choose the correct definition for the given key term. Refer the key terms related to PMP exam.

All the given answers seems to be appropriately correct answer to the question. The challenge is to find the MOST APPROPRIATELY CORRECT ANSWER.

-Posted by Dhana

Project Management consists of the following five process groups.

1. Initiation 
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing

Its important to know and understand the flow of these process flow. Each process group consists of one or more knowledge areas and every process in the knowledge area receives one or more inputs. Similarly one or more tools and techniques are applied on these inputs during this process and results in the generation of one or more outputs.

Click on the image to get a high level view of the flow of process.

Normally, a process receives the inputs from its preceding process and generates outputs which in turn will be fed to successor process as inputs.

-Posted by Dhana

Given below are some of the key terms, definitions related to PMP Exam. Memorize well and follow the Exam Tips - 1.

360-Degree Review
Achievement Theory
Activity On Arrow (AOA)
Activity On Node (AON)
Addition
Affinity Diagrams
Analogous Estimating
Appeals
Appraisal Cost
Arbitration
Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
Assumptions
Avoid
Backward Pass
Bench Marking
Bidder Conference
Brain Storming
Cause-and-Effect Diagram
Change
Change Request
Checklist
Claims
Code of Accounts
Compromise
Conflict
Confrontation
Constraints
Contingency Theory
Continuous Improvement
Corrective Action
Cost Of Quality
Cost Plus Fee
Cost Plus Fixed Fee
Cost Plus Incentive Fee
Cost Plus Percentage Of Cost
Cost Reimbursable Contracts
Crashing
Critical Chain Method (CCM)
Critical Path
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Decision Models
Decision Tree Analysis
Decomposition
Defect Repair
Delphi Technique
Design of Experiments
Discounted Cash Flow
Disputes
Enhance
Evaluation Criteria
Expectancy Theory
Expected Monetary Value Analysis (EMV)
Expert Judgment
Expert Power
Exploit
Extinction
Failure Cost
Fait Accompli
Fast Tracking
Feasibility Study
Finish-to-Finish (FF) Relationship
Finish-to-Start (FS) Relationship
Fishbone Diagram
Fitness for Use
Fixed Price Contracts
Fixed Price Plus Incentive Contracts
Float
Flowcharts
Force Field Analysis
Forcing
Forming
Forward Pass
Free Float
Functional Organization
Hard Dependency or Hard Logic
Hygiene Theory
Independent Estimate
Influence Diagram
Inspection
Integration
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
Interviewing
Ishikawa Diagram
Issue
Issue Log
Iterative Process
Joseph M. Juran
Kaizen Approach
Kick Off Meeting
Lags
Lateral Thinking
Legitimate Power
Lessons Learned
Logical Relationship
Lump Sum Contract
Make-Or-Buy Analysis
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Mathematical Models
Matrix Diagram
Matrix Organization
Milestone
Mitigate
Modeling and Simulation
Monte Carlo Analysis
Motivational Theories
Net Present Value (NPV)
Nominal Group Technique
Norming
Opportunities
Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS)
Parametric Estimating
Pareto Chart
Performing
Phlip B. Crosby
Portfolio
Preassignment
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
Preferential Logic or Preferred Logic
Preliminary Scope Statement
Prevention
Prevention Cost
Preventive Action
Prioritization Matrices
Probability and Impact Matrix
Program
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Program Management
Progressive Elaboration
Project
Project Charter
Project Management Office
Project Schedule
Project Scope
Project Sponsor
Project Stakeholder
Project Status Report
Project Trend
Projectized Organization
Punishment Power
Qualitative Risk Analysis
Quantitative Risk Analysis
RACI Chart
Recognition and Rewards
Referent Power
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
Residual Risk
Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS)
Resource Calendar
Resource Leveling
Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
Risk
Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS)
Risk Categories
Risk Identification
Risk Register
Risk Tolerance
Rolling Wave Planning
Run Chart
Scatter Diagram
Schedule Compression
Schedule Network Analysis
Scope Statement
Scope Verification
Scoring Model
Secondary Risk
Sensitivity Analysis
Share
Six Sigma
Slack Time
SMART Goals
Smoothing
Soft Logic
Start-to-Finish (SF) Relationship
Starvation
Statement of Work (SOW)
Statistical Sampling
Status Review Meeting
Storming
Successor Activities
SWOT Analysis
Theory - X
Theory - Y
Threat
Three Point Estimate
Time and Material Contract
Top-down Estimating
Tornado Diagram
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Transfer
Triggers
Virtual Team
W. Edwards Deming
Weighted Scoring Method
Withdrawal
Work Authorization System
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Workaround
Zero Defects

Note: This is not a final list. Just use as key references.

-Posted by Dhana

More exam tips

Exam Tips 1 - Formulas & Definitions
Exam Tips 2 - Key Formulas for PMP Exam
Exam Tips 3 - Key terms for PMP Exam
Exam Tips 4 - Key approach to observe in PMP Exam
Exam Tips 5 - Situational Question in PMP Exam
Exam Tips 6 - Question Marking

Fast Tracking is a duration compression technique to shorten the project schedule usually to meet the target dates. Normally this will be done by overlapping or compressing some of the project phases. This will result in over-all shorter project schedule.

Most common method of Fast Tracking is to starting two or more tasks at the same time that were originally planned to start on different time schedule.

Advantages
1. It’s an option to keep the project on schedule
2. Compresses/shortens the project schedule
3. Allows meeting the client commitments

Disadvantages
1. Increases risk and potentially causes rework

As a PM, you might be frequently asked by the key stakeholders to do fast tracking the entire project. Stakeholders always focus on the target date. But as PM you must look into all aspects such as meeting the project obective, resources, quality apart from schedule. Thus you must focus on the health of the entire project and analyze to make a right decision. You should apply your negotiation skills to convince the key stakeholders with your proper justification.

-Posted by Dhana

Refer Part - II for additional free PMP sample questions

Most of the PMP preparation candidates will be looking for free PMP Sample Questions during their preparation and it is a best practise to attend PMP sample questions.

Attending PMP Smple Questions will boost your confidence and will help to find your missing gap in any Process or Knowledge Area!

We have listed few links of FREE PMP Sample Questions for your PMP preparation:

• http://www.pmstudy.com/enroll.asp
• http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmp-self-test/75-free-questions.htm
• http://www.centreline-solutions.com/pmp_sample_exam.html
• http://www.pmtests.com/packs.php
• http://www.certgear.com/products/preview/pmp_certification/index.html
• http://www.husonbay.com/PMI/En/PMP/exam_s.asp
• http://www.pmi-heartland.org/htmldocs/pmi/vocab.html
• http://www.certifybynet.com/Home.asp
• http://www.pmstudy.com/chaptertestsindex.asp
• http://www.whizlabs.com/traildownload.html?myproduct=PMP
• http://www.transcender.com/demos/  and search for “Cert-PMP3ED” on this page to start download.
• http://www.selftestsoftware.com/demo/default.aspx and find “PMP3ED” on this page to start download.
• http://www.headfirstlabs.com/PMP/free_exam/

-Posted by Sundar

Refer Part - II for additional free PMP sample questions

To be eligible for the PMP Exam, you must meet below tabulated educational and professional experience requirements.

Source: Page 6 of PMP Handbook

-Posted by Girish

Under PDU Category 2SDL,PMP certificants will be awarded credit for Self-Directed Learning.

You can choose to read book(s) on project management topic of your choice for minimum 15 hours. Also take note of the book(s) you read and it will useful to reply if audit arises. 

So if you do not know where to start earn PDUs freely, try your local library.

It is an inexpensive way to get started on your PMP renewal and its free to earn PMP PDUs.

Pls note that maximum of 15 PDUs can be earned under 2SDL (Self-Directed Learning) Category per CCR Cycle.

-Posted by Sundar

Refer How to earn 15 free PDU? Company Training/Orientation Course

Yes, PMP Certificants are allowed to transfer their PDUs to the next CCR Cycle.

Certificants who earn more than 60 PDUs in the current CCR Cycle can apply up to maximum of additional 20 PDUs to their next CCR Cycle. 

However, only PDUs earned on the third year can be transfered to next CCR Cycle.

For example, if a PMP Certificant current CCR Cycle ends by 31 Dec 2007, up to a maximun of 20 PDUs earned in 2007 can be transferred to next CCR Cycle begins on 1 Jan 2008.

This is a great way to get a head start on your next CCR cycle.

-Posted by Sundar

An existing PMP Credential Holder should earn minimum 60 PDUs in three years period (one CCR Cycle) to retain the PMP Certification.

After CCR Records Office confirms the necessary PDU requirement, PMI will mail or email an application for certification renewal to each PMP.

PMP should complete and return this application form together with renewal fees (US$60 for PMI Members and US$150 for non-members) to finish the renewal cycle.

This completed form should be mailed to:

PMI Global Operations Center,
4 Campus Boulevard,
Newtown Square,
PA USA 19073.

To ensure proper delivery of this application please notify PMI of updates to your contact information when they occur.

-Posted by Sundar

If you are unable to report your earned PDUs online, download and fill out the Continuing Certification Requirements Activity Reporting Form.

Send it to:

PMI/CCR Records Office,
1700 Asp Avenue,
Norman, Oklahoma, USA 73072-6400

or Fax to : +1- 405- 325- 6925

You can download ”Continuing Certification Requirements Activity Reporting Form”   from the PMP CCR Handbook . Refer page 8 for more details.

-Posted by Sundar