To pass the PMP exam, you need to have some key points ingrained in your mind forever. These themes are echoed again and again in test questions.
These are simple principles, and once you understand them, you will be better prepared for the exams.
Here are 10 Very Important Points to remember for your PMP Exam.
1. The project manager is empowered and has ultimate authority and accountability for a project. Not the sponsors, and not the customers.
2. Projects should be strategically aligned with the high-level strategic objectives of the organization.
3. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) forms the basis of all estimating and project planning.
4. Project Managers spend almost 90% of their time in communicating.
5. Planning is the most important of all the Project Management
processes. Projects don’t fail at the end, they fail at the beginning - if they are not planned properly and accurately.
6. The Project Team must be involved early in the Planning process and in all major decisions concerning the project.
7. Lessons Learned and Historical Records are essential inputs to just about every Project management process, especially Planning.
8. Project Stakeholders and their needs & expectations are very important and should be well managed and balanced.
9. Administrative closure and Scope Verification are essential considerations with just about every project management process.
10. Adding out-of-scope extras (also called “gold plating”) to please project stakeholders adds no value and is strongly discouraged.
Understanding & memorizing these key points, and applying them to PMP exam questions will assist you in getting correct answers.
Remember, when in doubt, go by the PMI PMBOK. Do not apply only practical project management knowledge or else you will fail the PMP exam.