PMP Certification All-In-One For Dummies

This Cheat Sheet gives you quick PMP certification facts to remember on test day to help you answer exam questions. You can review major project management concepts, as well as key tools, techniques, outputs, processes, and some common equations found on the exam. Many of the key concepts are defined in the PMBOK Guide Glossary.






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PMP Scheduling Relationships


Expect to see up to 10 questions dealing with network diagrams, precedence diagramming, and scheduling issues on the PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification exam. Here are some of the details you need to know:



  • FS = Finish-to-start



  • FF = Finish-to-finish



  • SS = Start-to-start



  • SF = Start-to-finish



  • Lead = An acceleration in the relationships between activities



  • Lag = A directed delay in the relationship between activities



  • A mandatory dependency is based on the nature of the work



  • A discretionary dependency is based on a best practice or preferred way of doing something



  • An external dependency is based on a situation outside the project







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PMP Estimating Techniques


Estimating techniques can be applied to resources, effort, duration, and costs. The following are different methods of estimating you can use, depending on the situation.























Estimating methodDescription
Analogous estimatingGenerally used at the start of the project when not much is
known. Compares the current project to past similar projects. A
quick and relatively easy method of estimating, though not terribly
accurate.
Parametric estimatingUsed for estimates that are quantitatively based, such as
dollars per square foot or number of installations per day. A
relatively simple method, but not every activity or cost can be
estimated quantitatively.
Three-point estimatingAccounts for uncertainty associated with estimating by
determining an optimistic (best case, represented by O), most
likely (represented by M) and pessimistic (worst case, represented
by P) scenario. The most likely estimate is weighted most heavily.
The equation is:

(O+4M+P)/6
Bottom up estimatingUsed when there is significant detail about the activity. A
detailed assessment of the resources, capabilities, and amounts are
used to determine an accurate duration or cost estimate. This is
the most accurate method, but also the most time-consuming and
expensive form of estimating.




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PMP Statistics for Normal and Cumulative Distributions


You must know some basic statistics for the PMP Certification exam. All equations are based on a normal distribution. In a normal distribution, keep the following in mind:



  • 68.3% of the data points fall within one standard deviation



  • 95.5% of the data points fall within two standard deviations



  • 99.7% of the data points fall within three standard deviations




If you're looking at a normal curve and need a cumulative distribution, you should remember these values:



  • 0.15% of the data points fall between 0 and -3σ from the mean



  • 2.25% of the data points fall between 0 and -2σ from the mean



  • 16% of the data points fall between 0 and -1σ from the mean



  • 84% of the data points fall between 0 and +1σ from the mean



  • 97.75% of the data points fall between 0 and +2σ from the mean



  • 99.85% of the data points fall between 0 and +3σ from the mean







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PMP Strategies for Conflict Resolution


As you plan and execute a project, there will be conflicts and differences of opinion. The five strategies you can use to resolve conflict are:






































StrategyDescriptionSituation
Confronting/ Problem-solvingConfronting the conflict as a problem to be solvedWhen you have confidence in the other party’s ability to
problem solve

When the relationship is important

When you need a win-win solution
CollaboratingWin-win through collaboration and meeting to resolve
issues
When there is time and trust

When the objective is to learn

When you want to incorporate multiple views

When there is time to come to consensus
CompromisingWhen you are looking for some degree of satisfaction for both
parties
When there is a willingness to give and take

When both parties need to win

When you can’t win

When an equal relationship exists between the parties in
conflict

When the stakes are moderate

To avoid a fight
Smoothing/AccommodatingEmphasize areas of agreementTo reach an overarching goal

To maintain harmony

When any solution will be adequate

When you will lose anyway

To create goodwill
ForcingWin-lose; impose the resolutionWhen you are right

In a do-or-die situation

When the stakes are high

To gain power

If the relationship is not important

When time is of the essence
Withdrawal/ AvoidingRetreat; cool offWhen you can’t win

When the stakes are low

To preserve neutrality or reputation

If the problem will go away on its own




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PMP Earned Value: Variances and Indexes


You'll see five to ten questions on this topic in the PMP Certification exam. Here is the fundamental information to determine cost and schedule variances and indexes.


For variance and indexes, always start with EV.


When looking for information on schedule, use PV.


When looking for information on cost, use AC.


For a variance, subtract.


SV = EV-PV

CV = EV-AC

Negative is bad; positive is good.

For an index, divide.


SPI = EV/PV

CPI = EV/AC

Less than 1.0 is bad, greater than 1.0 is good.




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PMP Quality Control Tools


There are many ways to assess quality control. When you take the PMP Certification exam, you should be able to apply the following quality control tools:


Cause and effect diagram. Diagrams that define the inputs to a process or product in order to identify potential causes of defects.


Histogram. A bar chart showing a distribution of variables.


Run chart. Show trends in the variation of a process over time.


Scatter diagram. Shows the relationship between two variables.


Control Chart. A graphic display of process data over time and against established control limits, and that has a centerline that assists in detecting a trend of plotted values toward either control limit.


Flowcharting. The depiction in a diagram format of the inputs, process actions, and outputs of one or more processes within a system.


Pareto Chart. A histogram, ordered by frequency of occurrence, that shows how many results were generated by each identified cause.


Inspection. Examining or measuring to verify whether an activity, component, product, result, or service conforms to specified requirements.





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