What is PMI?

PMI is the leading global association for the project management profession. Since its founding in
1969, PMI has been at the forefront of working with business to create project management standards
and techniques that work.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

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By Duncan Haughey, PMP

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a collection of processes and

knowledge areas generally accepted as best practice within the project management discipline.

As an internationally recognised standard (IEEE Std 1490-2003) it provides the fundamentals of

project management, irrespective of the type of project be it construction, software, engineering,
automotive etc.

PMBOK recognises 5 basic process groups and 9 knowledge areas typical of almost all projects.
The basic concepts are applicable to projects, programs and operations. The five basic process
groups are:

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

Processes overlap and interact throughout a project or phase. Processes are described in terms of:

 Inputs (documents, plans, designs, etc.)

 Tools and Techniques (mechanisms applied to inputs)
 Outputs (documents, products, etc.)

The nine knowledge areas are:

1. Project Integration Management

 2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management

Each knowledge area contains some or all of the project management processes. For example,
Project Procurement Management includes:

 Procurement Planning
 Solicitation Planning
 Solicitation
 Source Selection
 Contract Administration
 Contract Closeout

Much of PMBOK is unique to project management e.g. critical path and work breakdown
structure (WBS). Some areas overlap with other management disciplines. General management
also includes planning, organising, staffing, executing and controlling the operations of an
organisation. Financial forecasting, organisational behaviour and planning techniques are also
similar.

CAPM and PMP

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the publisher of PMBOK (now in its fourth edition)
and offers two levels of certification:

A Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) has demonstrated a common base of

knowledge and terms in the field of project management. It requires either 1500 hours of work
on a project team or 23 contact hours of formal education in project management.

A Project Management Professional (PMP) has met specific education and experience
requirements, has agreed to adhere to a code of professional conduct and has passed an
examination designed to objectively assess and measure project management knowledge. In
addition, a PMP must satisfy continuing certification requirements or lose the certification.

As of 2006, PMI reported over 220,000 members and over 50,000 Project Management
Professionals (PMPs) in 175 countries. Over 44,000 PMP certifications expire annually; a PMP
must document ongoing project management experience and education every three years to keep
their certification current.
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PMBOK & PMP

The PMBOK is considered one of the most essential tools in the project management profession
and is the de facto global standard for the industry. Project Management Professional (PMP) is
an internationally recognised project management certification administered by the Project
Management Institute (PMI).

What's the Difference Between the CAPM and PMP

Examinations
Founded in 1969, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is best-known as the publisher of, "A
Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)." PMBOK is considered one
of the most important tools in the project management profession today. The PMI offers two
levels of project management certification, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
and Project Management Professional (PMP).

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a collection of processes and
knowledge areas generally accepted as best practice within the project management discipline.
As an internationally recognised standard (IEEE Std 1490-2003) it provides the fundamentals of
project management, irrespective of the type of project be it construction, software, engineering,
automotive etc.

PMBOK Guide: Fourth Edition Changes - Chapter by

Chapter
In my last article I provided an overview of the changes in the PMBOK® Guide: Fourth Edition.
In this article I want to write about some of the specific changes in the chapters. As mentioned in
the previous article, our architect designed chapters 1 and 2 to align with The Standard for
Programme Management: Second Edition and The Standard for Portfolio Management: Second
Edition. Therefore much of the structure of the first two chapters has changed.

PMBOK Guide: Fourth Edition Changes - An Overview

A lot of people are wondering what is going to change with the PMBOK® Guide: Fourth
Edition. There is not that much that will change with regards to the content. There are a few
additions and deletions to processes, but mostly of the work was done in making the standard
internally consistent. We wanted the chapters to feel more cohesive as if one person wrote the
standard instead of a group of people.
Break Your PMP Studies Into Small Pieces
Taking the PMP examination is one of the biggest steps you'll take in your career as a Project
Manager and one of the most daunting. There seems to be an endless parade of information to
stuff into your brain but don't be discouraged! By careful planning and structure, you can pass
the exam with a minimum of stress and absorb more of the information you need to be a success
in your chosen career.

Making a Project Plan to Pass the PMP Exam

Passing the PMP exam is challenging, but hundreds of thousands of people have already done it!
What is the secret? One of the keys is to put into practice the discipline, practices, tools, and
frameworks that are the subject of the exam. This is accomplished by making a plan based upon
the many structures, terms and concepts that are part of the Project Management Body of
Knowledge (PMBOK). These are the things that experienced project managers will learn that
takes them beyond their project management experience base. This article discusses some keys
for building an effective project plan to pass the PMP exam.

Project Management Training for the PMP: Satisfying the

35 Hours Requirement
Project Managers who aspire to take the PMP exam need to have 35 hours of documented
training in the area of project management. However, there is some level of misunderstanding
around just how they can achieve this. Many believe they must take specialised and expensive
courses, and some are not aware that some of the training and education they already have may
qualify. Others think they need to acquire a single 35 hour certificate. Here is a survey of the
ways PMP aspirants can satisfy that requirement.

In Defence of the Project Management "Perfect World"

One of the most common challenge questions I get when teaching PMP® Exam Preparation
courses is "Why doesn't PMI® make the test more real-world? Why do they insist on testing for
a world that no-one really lives in?" Over the years, my response to that question has evolved,
but the more the question comes along, the more I realise we don't insist on the perfect world
often enough.

PMI's PDU Secrets

A project manager has to be many things. To name just a few, a PM has to be a great
communicator, a leader, a visionary, and be able to both build and inspire the team. First and
foremost, however, a project manager has to be proactive. We employ strategies to plan the
future in order to proactively minimise risk on our projects so that we can deliver on time and on
budget. Why then is it that when November comes around you can hear a collective groan rise
from the worldwide community of PMPs as they ask, where they could quickly get 20, 30 or
even 40 or more PDUs before the year is through?

PMBOK 4: This Time It's Iterative!

The current Project Management Body Of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide is labelled "Third
Edition" and was published in 2004. Every 4 years the Project Management Institute (PMI)
brings out a new version and the fourth edition has just been released to reviewers in exposure
draft format. I was a contributor and reviewer for version 3 and will likely submit some feedback
for version 4 too. One thing that will be of interest to agile project managers is the increased
acceptance of iterative lifecycles.

Project Management Models, Certifications and the

Pyramids
All projects are really about change. Let's take my favorite project of all time: the pyramids of
Egypt. Imagine a sweltering desert with miles of sand, snakes, and other scenes from an Indiana
Jones film. Add a few million workers, some great plans, some scary mummies, and you've got
the pyramids. All right, so my history is a little skewed, but I think you see my point. First it was
nothing; then, after some planning and execution, there were the pyramids. What approach to
project management do you think the pharaohs used? Does it matter?

Project Management Institute's PMP Qualification

Being the proud owner of my newly acquired PMP (Project Management Professional) title, I
mentioned the qualification to an associate the other day and was met with an "oooooh, and...?."
sort of look. I realised that until about a year ago, my reaction to the mention of PMP, as a
professional title, was probably the same, simply because it had not been prominent in my
profession. However, recently, and increasingly so, clients are beginning to require project
managers to have formal project management qualifications of the calibre of PMP and
PRINCE2. PMP is the certification for proficiency and competence in the discipline of Project
Management, issued by the Project Management Institute based in the USA. PRINCE2 is the
British counterpart.

Interest In Project Management Is On The Rise

Over the past ten years, the US-based Project Management Institute has grown from around
25,000 members to almost 250,000. This ten-fold increase represents a marked departure from
the steady but slow growth of the organisation since its creation in 1969 and is a significant
indication of an increased interest in project management.

PMP Exam Application

The PMI (Project Management Institute) has three levels of certification, starting with the CAPM
(Certified Associate in Project Management) which is the basic level and is intended as
certification for project team members. The PMP (Project Management Professional) is the
second highest level and regarded as one of the most valued credentials in project management.
Anybody who has passed the PMP certification exam successfully and met the PMI's
requirements for documenting their professional experience is entitled to use the abbreviation
PMP after their name. A new certification, PgMP (Programme Management Professional) has
been introduced by the PMI in late 2007 for Programme Managers.

An 8 Point Plan for Passing the PMP or CAPM Exam

Any good project manager knows the importance of having a good plan. So, if you are preparing
for the PMP or CAPM exam, wouldn't it be a great idea to build a plan? As in life, many
procrastinate, can't find the time, and myriad other excuses, and do not get where they want to go
- to pass the exam. Be a planner, and practice good project management in the process.

PMP Exam Day Tips

You have devoted at least 4,500 hours to project work, you have sat through at least 35 hours
worth of classroom training on project management, you have studied for hours and answered
hundreds of practice questions, you have completed PMI's application for the PMP exam, you
have paid the fee, you have received your acceptance letter, you have even scheduled your exam
date. In short, you have a lot invested in this exam. Are you nervous?

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