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 PMP examination. Section two contains Chapters 4 through 13, which detail each of the nine knowledge areas and the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

If you are just beginning your PMP quest, you should read the first section immediately, as it’ll help you build a strong foundation for the PMP exam. If you find, however, that you’ve already a strong foundation in project management and need specific information on the knowledge areas, move on to the second section. PMP candidates who have years of project management experience can move on to the second section.

The book is designed so that you can read the chapters in any order you’d 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. In addition, practically every question in this book stems directly from the PMBOK Guide for additional information—so it’s a good idea to have the PMBOK handy as you read.

Exam Readiness Checklist Exam Domain and Exam Percentage	Chapter #
Initiating the Project......11%
Conduct Project Selection Methods	1, 3, 4
Define Scope	1, 3, 4, 5
Document Project Risks, Assumptions, and Constraints	1, 3, 5, 11
Identify and Perform Stakeholder Analysis	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10
Develop Project Charter	1, 3, 4
Obtain Project Charter Approval	1, 3, 4
Planning the Project......23%
Define and Record Requirements, Constraints, and Assumptions	1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Identify Project Team and Define Roles and Responsibilities	1, 3, 9
Create the WBS	1, 5
Develop Change Management Plan	5
Identify Risks and Define Risk Strategies	11
Obtain Plan Approval	1, 4
Conduct Kick-off Meeting	4, 5
Executing the Project......27%
Execute Tasks Defined in Project Plan	1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Ensure Common Understanding and Set Expectations	1, 4, 5, 8
Implement the Procurement of Project Resources	1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12
Manage Resource Allocation	5, 6, 7, 9, 12
Implement Quality Management Plan	4, 5, 8
Implement Approved Changes	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12
Implement Approved Actions and Workarounds	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
Improve Team Performance	4, 9
Monitoring and Controlling the Project......21%
Measure Project Performance	5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
Verify and Manage Changes to the Project	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Ensure Project Deliverables Conform to Quality Standards	4, 5, 8
Monitor All Risks	4, 5, 11
Closing the Project......9%
Obtain Final Acceptance for the Project	4, 5, 10
Obtain Financial, Legal, and Administrative Closure	4, 5, 7, 10
Release Project Resources	3, 4, 5, 9
Identify, Document, and Communicate Lessons Learned	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Create and Distribute Final Project Report	4, 5, 10
Archive and Retain Project Records	10
Measure Customer Satisfaction	1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10
Professional and Social Responsibility......9%
Ensure Individual Integrity	9, 13
Contribute to the Project Management Knowledge Base	13
Enhance Personal Professional Competence	9, 13
Promote Interaction Among Stakeholders	4, 5, 10, 13