INTRODUCTION

This book is divided into two major sections. The first section, which consists of Chapters 1, 2, and 3, discusses the broad overview of project management and how it pertains to the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional (PMP) examinations. Part Two contains Chapters 4 through 13, which detail each of the nine knowledge areas and the PMI Code of Professional Conduct.

If you are just beginning your PMP or CAPM quest, you should read the first section immediately, as it'll help you build a strong foundation for your exam. If you find, however, that you already have a strong foundation in project management and need specific information on the knowledge areas, then move on to the second section. You'll find this section specific to the exam knowledge areas that'll help you—gulp—pass the PMI examination.

The book is designed so that you can read the chapters in any order you like. However, if you examine the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, you'll notice that the order of information presented is the same as the order of information in this book. In other words, you can read a chapter of the PMBOK and then read a more detailed explanation in this book. This book is a guide to the guide. You'll also notice, if you haven't peeked ahead already, that all of the major headings reference to the corresponding PMBOK sections. In addition, practically every question in this book references the PMBOK directly for additional information, so it's a good idea to have the PMBOK handy as you read.