Exam Cram 2 PMP - Softcover

Michael G. Solomon, CISM, CISSP, PMP, and TICSA, is a full-time security speaker, consultant (http://www.solomonconsulting.com/), trainer, project manager, and a former college instructor who specializes in development and assessment security topics. As an IT professional and consultant since 1987, he has worked on projects or trained for more than 60 major companies and organizations. As a project manager, Michael has led software projects with EarthLink, Schumacher, Nike, as well as content development and training projects with Learnkey, PSC. As an author, Michael has contributed to various security certification books with LANWrights/iLearning for both Que Certification and Sybex.

Introduction

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a valued asset in the ever-evolving professional project management field. PMP certification in the professional arena ensures employers are hiring a project manager with thorough, tested knowledge in project management principles; years of hands-on, specific experience performing project management tasks; and a commitment to continuing education in the field of project management. Among fellow PMP-certified practitioners, PMP certification allows colleagues a commonality of experience and opportunities for networking. PMPs share the same frame of reference in project management, regardless of the field of endeavor.

PMP-certified individuals work in a wide array of industries, from aerospace to telecommunications. Many hiring supervisors specify PMP certification as a preferred skill set when soliciting project managers.

Both private and public sector employers recognize the value a PMP- certified employee brings to a project. Corporations embrace the consistent application of project management methodologies for initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing projects. The Project Management Institute (PMI) project framework is highly praised by companies and government entities whether they are engaged in large-scale development projects or simply undertaking small, reengineering initiatives. In both scenarios, the PMI approach offers a consistent project management methodology that can be tailored to the size and complexity of the project. This framework, coupled with the PMP certification program, ensures that PMP-certified practitioners are in high demand in the workforce.

PMI has brought the art and science of project management full circle through its PMP certification program and methodology, the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). PMI seeks to evaluate project management professionals through the application and certification process to ensure a dependable workforce with solid credentials. The PMP Certification Examination tests for comprehensive project management knowledge as well as a thorough understanding of the PMBOK. This approach ensures that PMP-certified practitioners have comparable qualifications and strategic competencies in all aspects of project management. PMI advocates the practice of project management as a discipline, not unlike engineering or any other precise, science-based course of study. As such, PMI developed the PMBOK as an all-encompassing standard for the practice of project management regardless of the specific industry.

The Project Management Institute

PMI is the premier project management organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, educational group intent on advancing the practice of project management through the promotion and promulgation of widely accepted standards. It has more than 150,000 members in over 150 countries with 247 charter-based local chapters. This is quite a feat for an organization that started in 1969 with five volunteers!

PMI establishes professional standards, provides continuing education opportunities for members, engages industry-specific research, and offers certifications aimed at unifying and strengthening the discipline of project management.

If you consider yourself a project management professional and want to earn your PMP, consider joining PMI. You will receive a reduced rate when sitting for your PMP examination as well as all the other benefits of PMI membership. These benefits include a community of peers offering valuable information exchange about industry trends and access to the latest knowledge through a monthly magazine and quarterly research journals.

Depending on your location, PMI offers seminars, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities as well as networking through local chapter and specific interest group involvement.

Your local chapter might also offer tutorials and other study courses in preparation for taking your PMP Certification Examination. Study groups and examination assistance through local chapters can augment the information you are learning in this book by offering opportunities to apply your newly acquired knowledge. To learn more about PMI and membership, visit PMI's website at http://www.pmi.org.

What's New in the PMBOK, Third Edition

PMI, as a member-driven organization, is continually evolving to meet the needs of its membership and the project management profession. To this end, the PMBOK has been revised to incorporate feedback from members and reflect current industry practice and developments since the last edition. For those readers familiar with the last edition—the PMBOK, 2000 Edition, in effect the second edition of the PMBOK—you will want to acquaint yourself with the changes in the third edition. This is particularly important if an earlier edition of the PMBOK was used in preparation for the PMP certification examination.

According to PMI, the new edition reflects the evolution from "generally accepted on most projects, most of the time" to "generally recognized as good practice on most projects" as the criteria for inclusion of information within the PMBOK. The use of the terminology "generally recognized" over "generally accepted" implies a higher degree of acceptance and recognition for the value and applicability of the knowledge and practices contained within this updated PMBOK.

New material has been added to reflect changes, adaptations, and additions to tools and techniques used in the current practice of project management. The number of processes increased from 39 to 44. Thirteen processes were renamed, two processes were deleted, and seven processes were added. The added processes are

• Develop Project Charter—Section 4.1

• Develop Preliminary Project Scope Statement—Section 4.2

• Monitor and Control Project Work—Section 4.5

• Close Project—Section 4.7

• Create Work Breakdown Structure—Section 5.3

• Activity Resource Estimating—Section 6.3

• Manage Project Team—Section 9.4

PMI avoided changing all the process names in favor of incremental change to minimize confusion. A clarification was provided between project management process groups and the knowledge areas placing greater distinction on process groups. The process designations—"facilitating processes" and "core processes"—have been discontinued. All project management process groups have the same level of importance.

All the process inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs were revised and updated to support improved integration and process mapping. In addition, project management processes were mapped to show process integration. Also, process flow diagrams have been added to Chapters 4–12 of the PMBOK.

All these changes are the result of input from PMPs that was used to streamline and clarify the PMBOK. A complete listing of all changes to the PMBOK, Third Edition is available in Appendix A of the PMBOK, and we will also discuss these changes in more detail in Chapter 1 of this book. Each change is identified in its respective chapter in the PMBOK.

The new PMP Certification Examination goes into effect on September 30, 2005 based on the PMBOK, Third Edition.

The PMP Certification Process

PMP certification entails a number of steps, beginning with an application to PMI detailing a prospective PMP candidate's qualifications, experience, and training. Once approved by PMI to sit for the examination, a candidate registers for the exam and must comply with various procedures set forth for the actual test. The PMP certification process concludes with the passage of the examination and issuance of PMP credentials by the PMI.

Registering for the PMP Certification Exam

Prior to actually taking a PMP Certification Examination, you must submit an application to PMI for approval. Your application to the PMI for PMP certification is not a mere formality; you are a...