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CAPM Exam Format and Content

Male professional reviewing the CAPM exam format and content from his laptop.

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The CAPM certification is a great way to demonstrate your project management knowledge and understanding to pursue entry level positions in project management across any organization and industry.

Now more than ever, the CAPM reflects the way project work gets done by entry level project professionals.  That because in PMI, the certifying body for the CAPM, underwent a thorough analysis and made significant changes to the CAPM content and format for the exam starting in July 2023.   In this post, we will cover the exam content and format for the new exam, explain the value of project management and benefits of taking the CAPM exam.

CAPM Format and Content

  1. What is the CAPM exam format and content?
  2. Why is Project Management Important?
  3. CAPM Career Opportunities
  4. Preparing for the CAPM Exam

What is the CAPM Exam Format and Content?

It’s important to know what kind of questions and topics will be on the CAPM exam. This will help you study to help you pass the exam. By getting to know the material, you can focus your study time and make sure you’re ready for the exam.  Specific details of the 2023 CAPM exam are as follows:

New CAPM exam format

The main change to the new exam format is the transition from knowledge areas to domains and tasks that typically occur within each domain.  The exam will now be broken out in to four main areas. Specific details include:

  • Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts: 36% of questions
  • Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies: 17% of questions
  • Agile Frameworks and Methodologies: 20% of questions
  • Business Analysis Frameworks: 27% of questions

The CAPM exam format consists of 150 questions, and you have three hours to complete it. You will have a 10-minute break after you answer the first 75 questions.

New CAPM exam content

The domains also inform the changes to the exam content.  Following is a summary of the content changes by domain:

Domain 1:  Covers concepts and the fundamentals of predictive and agile project management.

Domain 2:  Tests your knowledge of both predictive and adaptive project management approaches.

Domain 3:  Introduces agile and other adaptive development approaches (e.g., Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP) and others).

Domain 4:  Contains content about business analysis, and how to gather and validate requirements.

Based on the exam content changes, the 2023 CAPM Exam Content Outline indicates several question formats including:

Matching questions: You will have two columns of concepts to match.

Hot spot questions: A graphic will be presented where you click on a hot spot containing the correct answer.

Animation Video multiple choice questions: You will watch an animated video scenario and select a single answer from several choices.

Comic Strip multiple choice questions: You must read a comic strip scenario and select one answer from multiple options.

Why Project Management is Important?

When you invest time and effort in developing project management skills like planning, organizing, and task management, it can improve the chances of success for the projects you are involved in, and bring value to your company.

It’s also important to understand how and when to use different methods, develop various tools and techniques, and learn about different methodologies, as this will leading to other leadership roles on more complex projects.

Poorly managed projects can have negative impacts on a company. According to a PMI analysis, 48% of projects miss their delivery dates, 43% go over budget, and 31% fail to meet the organization’s goals. That’s why it’s important to learn and practice good project management skills to avoid these issues and ensure successful projects.

CAPM Career Opportunities

Project management jobs are in high demand, in fact, according to industry experts, employers will need more than 87 million people filling project management related roles.  Key growth industries include information services and publishing, finance and insurance, oil and gas, manufacturing and construction, management and professional services and utilities.

Every year, there are more than 500,000 jobs that need people with project management skills, according to the PMI.  Getting your CAPM certification is a great qualification that further validate your project knowledge. After getting your CAPM, you may qualify for careers such as operations assistant, project assistant, project coordinator, and program assistant.

You might be surprised to find job opportunities that don’t mention project management in their titles, but still require project management skills such as planning and organizing work, managing, and building team relationships, and time management.

Preparing for the CAPM Exam

If you considering getting your CAPM certification, RMC offers a free webinar you can attend called Taking the CAPM Exam: What You Need to Know.  Get answers to all your questions from one of RMC’s expert instructors. You can learn more about the CAPM including the exam costs and requirements.

When you are ready to prepare for your CAPM exam, you can stay up-to-date on our 2023 CAPM exam prep materials and classes.

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How to Create a Project Communication Plan

Woman writing a project communication plan

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Creating a clear communication plan can help you effectively collaborate with your team, client, and stakeholders. Like other tools that you’ll use for the duration of a project, this plan will set straightforward guidelines that everyone will follow to stay on the same page as they work on meeting goals.

Creating a Project Communication Plan

  1. What’s a Project Communication Plan?
  2. How to Write a Project Communication Plan That Works
  3. Put Your Communication Plan into Action

What’s a Project Communication Plan?

This plan outlines the methods that will be used to share information (think: meetings, emails, phone calls, status reports, discussion boards, etc.). And it also covers when information will be shared, who will be sharing it, and who will be receiving it. Plus, it gives everyone the opportunity to provide critical feedback that can help ensure a project’s success. Continue reading How to Create a Project Communication Plan

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PMP® Exam Online Training Options

African American woman using computer for PMP exam online training

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Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Online Training and Preparation

Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam can be time consuming and stressful, especially when you’re already busy with work and day-to-day life.  It may be impossible to carve out several days from your schedule to study using a more structured PMP exam online training prep course. And honestly, you may simply prefer to learn at your own pace, as time permits. Unlike our live, virtual PMP certification training online courses, you won’t need to attend classes at specific times. Instead, you can study whenever you want, so you have ultimate control.

When you make the decision to take the PMP, Rita Mulcahy’s study materials have helped people successfully pass the exam for over 30 years. We have options that offer flexibility to study for the PMP exam without sacrificing rigor.  PMP online training options that allow for self-paced study from home may be an optimal way for you to learn and retain new information, under less pressure. That’s why we offer cloud-based subscriptions designed to teach you what it takes to pass PMI’s PMP exam on your first try.

So, what exactly is a cloud-subscription and what digital self-study options does RMC offer? Let’s take a closer look.

PMP Exam Online Cloud Subscriptions

If you’ve thought about enrolling in a PMP course, but you’d prefer to move through the material on your own, taking as much or as little time as you need, RMC’s cloud subscription products are a good option for you. Our PMP online training gives you secure web browser access to study using flexible time-based subscriptions.  Purchase only what you need for the time frame you plan to study.  You can choose from a 12-month or 6-month cloud subscriptions to fully prepare for the PMP exam. RMC’s cloud subscription gives you 24/7 access via desk top, lap top or tablet.

Rita’s PMP Exam Prep Online Cloud Subscription Book

The PMP Exam Prep online training using RMC’s Cloud Subscription gives you the online version of Rita Mulcahy’s™ PMP® Exam Prep book designed for passing the PMP exam. This unique Course in a Book is one of the only PMP prep books on the market.  The book ensures you will optimize study time to pass the PMP. The material has been fully updated, and you can study the same content that’s in the paperback version with the added convenience of an online format.  The book also includes:

  • Hundreds of sample questions, thought-provoking exercises and exclusive time-saving tips to help you pass the PMP exam on your first try.
  • Tricks of the Trade® for passing the exam that help you identify gaps in your knowledge, so you can focus on what you need to know in order to become certified.
  • Accelerated learning methods teach you valuable skills and practical techniques to help you learn more in less time.
  • Predictive project management, agile and hybrid agile content.

PMP Exam Prep Online Exam Simulator

Why be surprised when you take the actual PMP exam? Don’t be! Identify your gaps before the exam finds them for you. Exam simulation is a perfect PMP online training tool that allows you to test your knowledge and get comfortable answering realistic exam questions. Practice using randomized and full time-based exams.

A true simulator lets you experience as closely as possible what it’s like to take the real PMP exam.  RMC offers access to multiple, completely randomized 180-question timed-tests as on the exam.  You can also select study modes to take focused exams by Domain, Process Group, Knowledge Area or Keyword. If you haven’t experienced exam simulation, now is the time to give it a try using our free demo.  FASTrack simulator also includes:

  • Robust reports that help you focus study on weak areas.
  • Ability to you start study on one device and continue on another.
  • A test environment with the features and capabilities that replicate the PMP® test environment.
  • 2,200+ questions, unlimited 230-minute exams of 180 questions, and explanations for all questions.
  • Plus, questions are all cross-referenced with Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep digital book.

PMP Exam Prep Cloud Flashcards

Finally, there’s RMC’s Hot Topics flash cards. Flashcards are a tried and true study option that helps you study and recall the most important concepts and difficult terms on the PMP test. Our flashcards are arranged in a question and answer format by topic area with more than 15 cards per topic. Completely mobile, these flashcards supply over 360 questions and answers to test your knowledge and find your gaps.

PMP Exam Prep System

Another PMP Exam online training option is the PMP Exam Prep System.  The system combines the power of all three products: Rita Mulcahy’s time-tested and proven exam prep book, exam simulator and flashcards in a cloud subscription format.

Start by studying the book thoroughly.  Don’t worry, it’s written to be read like a standard learning text, not a reference manual.

Then, when you’re ready, take a baseline exam in the online exam simulator and focus your study from that point using the detailed exam results.  These results have brief explanations of why you may have answered particular questions incorrectly, plus they are cross-referenced with the online book pages so you can easily find detailed information.  Use the download sheet provided in the exam simulator as a guide to focus your book study on your weak areas and then reinforce the concepts with the Hot Topics flashcards.

After your focused study, take short topic-based or keyword-based tests in the simulator to verify your progress.  When ready, take another full 4-hour, 200 question exam and see how confident you are to sit for the real thing!

If you take this prep approach, you’ll find you have the additional confidence to successfully pass the PMP exam.

Have Questions? Contact Us to Learn More

RMC’s has been helping people prep for the PMP exam since 1991. We designed our online cloud subscriptions to give you the tools and knowledge you need to confidently take the PMP exam. Once you pass the test and get your certification, experience the benefits of the being a certified Project Management Professional! Feel free to contact us anytime for guidance and support.

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Create a Project Charter in Project Management

Young man creating a project charter

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The project charter is a critical element of the project management process.  The charter is one of the first steps in initiating a project.  It is the tool allowing you to gain “buy in” on the project and its goals. Given its purpose, the charter should have minimum jargon and be easy to read.

Creating a Project Charter

  1. What Is a Project Charter?
  2. What Are the Benefits of Using a Charter?
  3. What to Include in A Project Charter

What Is a Project Charter?

The project charter is a document created by the project manager (along with the resources available). It is issued by the project’s sponsor and authorizes the project, giving the project manager authority to do their work.

The charter is a high level description of , a target that must be met.The project has to be plans the project to reach that target.

Contained in the charter are the high-level scope and direction for the project, as well as other constraints and objectives that a project must meet in order to build that scope and be  considered a success. The information in the charter is the basis of the more detailed project management plan used to keep everyone focused on what needs to be achieved throughout the life of the project.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Charter?

A project charter provides the basis for the project manager and the team to know what problem they will solve or opportunity they will  take advantage of for their organization. Beyond that, a project charter provides the following benefits:

  • Formally authorizes the project to continue
  • Gives the project manager authority to spend money and commit resources on behalf of the organization
  • Provides the high-level project  requirements
  • Links the project to the ongoing work for the organization

What to Include In a Project Charter

Following are a list of items you should have in your project charter:

  1. A high-level description of the project. It should include the business case with the financial or other basis justifying the project.
  2. Establishment of a clear view of the initiative’s organizational value by addressing the business case and maintaining focus on meeting project objectives.
  3. dentification of  pre-assigned resources that may influence how the project will be planned. Some projects come with constraints on the number, location, or type of resources.
  4. identification of the key stakeholders who will affect or be affected by the project or product, as well as their known requirements.
  5. High level documentation of the major deliverables and the end result of the project as part of the product description.
  6. The intended end results of the project.
  7. Any known project constraints, such as time cost, scope, quality, resources, communications, risk, or stakeholder expectations. These may limit how the project is delivered.
  8. Known organizational, team or stakeholder assumptions.These will be tested , during planning, and updated throughout the project.
  9. Finally, the charter should describe project objectives in measurable terms, along with how the project will be evaluated for success or failure, who will sign off where necessary, and the authority level assigned to the project manager.

A charter including all this allows for the development of a project management plan that thoroughly defines the project, defines “done” and helps ensure a clear picture of what constitutes the end of the project.A

A Charter’s Big Impact on Your Project

Keep in mind that the project charter serves as a definition of how success of the project and the project manager will be measured. Therefore, without a charter, a project’s success, efficiency, and effectiveness are often difficult to measure.

If you are looking for additional resources about a project charter or other project management techniques,  get RMC’s Project Management Fundamentals book.  Our online book breaks down the tools and techniques every successful project manager should know and use in a predictive project environment.  

Given its purpose and original (management) audience, the project charter should have a minimum of jargon, to be easy to read. It is a critical element of the project management process,  and is one of the outputs of project initiating .  It is essential to gaining buy in on the project and its goals.

 

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What Makes an eLearning Course “Good”?

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Interactive eLearning courses are hugely popular because so many people lead busy lives that make it difficult to get to a classroom or take an online course that’s offered live on a set schedule. Also, many people don’t have the funding available to travel to classes or leave work in order to attend class. Put simply, a lot of learners today need flexibility so they can study around their schedule, and they need to absorb new concepts in short amounts of time.

When you enroll in the right eLearning course, you can study the material that you need to advance your career, but you can do it from the comfort of home and at your own pace. Yet, despite their many benefits, not all eLearning courses are created equal. So, what makes an eLearning course worth your time and money? Continue reading What Makes an eLearning Course “Good”?

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Better Project Manager? Embrace Disruptive Technologies

Manager working with team at computer

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Sometimes technological innovations can feel more troublesome than beneficial, especially where adoption of these innovations has a steep learning curve and requires changes in company policies and procedures.  The truth is that disruptive technologies often help you do your job better as a project manager. In fact, embracing these changes and allowing yourself and your team to evolve might be the best way to navigate what would otherwise be a stressful situation.

Disruptive technologies can allow you to automate basic tasks.  It can also save time, and help you become more efficient. Businesses that adopt new technology are much more likely to succeed.

Disruptive Technology Helps Project Managers

  1. AI, Cloud Solutions, and IoT
  2. Artificial Intelligence Saves Time and Reduces Effort
  3. Cloud Solutions Help Improve Collaboration for Project Managers
  4. The Internet of Things is Changing the Way People Work
  5. Use Disruptive Technologies to Improve as a Project Manager
  6. Businesses Unwilling to Change Will Be Left Behind

AI, Cloud Solutions, and IoT

There are many disruptive technologies. Three of them stand out as those that can have the greatest impact on an organization. They can give you a competitive advantage, as a project manager, while helping you meet your goals.

Artificial Intelligence Saves Time and Reduces Effort

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has many definitions.  According to Websters Dictionary artificial intelligence is “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior” or “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.” [cite]

This definition has changed over time.   It has become more functional so that AI includes things like robotically controlled aircraft to machine and deep learning systems used by Amazon and Google. [cite] The point is that AI and AI systems are finding their way into organizations and workplaces.   And AI will affect the day-to-day jobs of all workers, including project managers. [cite] The good news is that these systems can make your life and your work easier.  With AI, you can get basic, tedious, tasks done more efficiently, with fewer errors, and less bias. That’s because AI can work with a lot of stored information to make decisions reliably and quickly.

AI can perform tasks like budgeting and scheduling.  Soon AI systems will have the ability to look at the mass of data from a your current, past and other related projects.  It can help predict issues, risks, and even potential fraud.  It even will have the ability to evaluate team members and identify patterns of behavior that could affect a project.  In short, you’ll have more time to focus on bigger, more important tasks. You can put more energy towards being a strategic leader.  That’s going to help you stand out as a project manager.

Cloud Solutions Help Improve Collaboration for Project Managers

The cloud isn’t only handy as a backup in case your system fails.  It is also a smart tool to use when you want to improve team collaboration. Once multiple users have access to the cloud, they can get what they need when they need it, no matter where they are. This helps them accomplish more, both in the office and from remote.

Put simply, cloud solutions allow the members of a team to share resources and work on tasks together.  This saves time, improves access to data and information, and helps teams and their managers complete projects in a more organized way.

The Internet of Things is Changing the Way People Work

According to Wired Magazine, The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, could be the harbinger of a fourth industrial revolution. [cite] It has already started to make its way into our lives at home and work.  It also has the potential of completely changing the way we live.  IoT is basically a network of various devices that work together to streamline processes and give you access to important information more quickly.

It can be anything from smart concrete that reports its level of degradation and when it is likely to fail.  It can also be smart lights that report when they are on and how much electricity they are consuming to security cameras that monitor and report the movements and activities of employees 24/7.  The beauty of IoT is that these devices not only talk to you, but they also talk to each other.  While there are risks with these systems, they offer the potential to greatly increase work efficiency and project success.

IoT can help project managers stay connected so they can continually collect and share data.  It can also improve the way they communicate with their teams. Finally, it can be an important tool when it comes to making more accurate decisions that are driven by data.

Use Disruptive Technologies to Improve as a Project Manager

With the use of modern technology and advancements, project managers can take on new duties, and new titles, like never before. As mentioned above, when managers no longer must spend a lot of time on routine tasks, they can really home in on strategy, communication, and other higher-level skills and digital-age skills. These include security knowledge, data science and analytics, and legal knowledge, to name a few.

The bottom line is this: disruptive technologies can help managers collaborate more effectively.  Disruptive tech can also help come up with more creative ideas and make decisions that are influenced by data. If you want to advance your career and take on new responsibilities, using these technologies is an integral step.

Businesses Unwilling to Change Will Be Left Behind

Businesses, and project managers unwilling to embrace disruptive technologies are likely to be left behind. Learning to use disruptive technologies can help boost your odds of success.

Also, organizations that are willing to implement new tech into their workplace will be more inclined to hire project managers who are already well-versed in the latest innovations.  PMs can continuously improve their skills because they have the time to focus on strategies that meet goals and are not bogged down by mundane tasks better performed by one of these disruptive technologies.

Remember, just because you’re adding new tools doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your old tried-and-true methods. Disruptive technologies don’t need to be problematic as long as you can find ways to seamlessly integrate them with older technologies that are still worth using.

Evolve Your Career with the Help of Disruptive Technology

To embrace change and use disruptive technologies to your advantage, continuous learning is necessary. At RMC, we understand that you need to go beyond project management certifications if you want to keep improving as a project manager, so we offer a wide range of virtual courses on myriad topics for managers of all levels. Beyond that, we also offer corporate training to help organizations become even stronger. Contact us anytime to learn more!

Sources:

https://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/pmi-report-the-impact-of-disruptive-technologies-on-project-management/

https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse/benefits-disruptive-technologies-projects

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/business-reporter/harnessing-the-power-of-disruptive-technologies/

 

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Three Proven Ways Analysis Prevents Scope Creep

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When you start a project, the first question needs to be about scope.  Analysis helps facilitate discussions, using visual analysis techniques, to clarify the scope of the product or solution. Because scope management is critical to project performance, you want to have proven ways in which analysis prevents scope creep.

There are many tools and techniques you can use to help define, document, and facilitate scope definition to help stakeholders envision what it is they want.  At the beginning, or when you are first assigned the project, start with defining the scope. If the scope has already been defined, confirm it.

Three Techniques to Prevent Scope Creep

  1. Context Diagram
  2. Use Case Diagram
  3. Product Backlog List
  4. The Value of Scope Analysis Technique

Scope Creep Top Analysis Tools

Here are three popular business analysis techniques for getting your stakeholders to agree on scope and stick to it!

1. Context Diagram

The context diagram is a well-established technique used to develop a clear understanding of a solution or product scope. The context diagram and its associated analysis provide a very structured approach to asking questions that help stakeholders determine the boundaries of their request.

The context diagram shows the solution or product as a circle in the center of the diagram. It does not show any detail inside the solution, because these details are not yet known. Instead, it shows the outside forces which will be important for the solution.  The idea is that if you understand everything that is outside the scope but has an impact on the scope, by definition, you have defined the scope.

Diagram 1 is an example of context diagram for a new product; (possibly a mobile app) to help home buyers complete many tasks to purchase a home. The goal of this app is to help the buyer navigate the work by providing a checklist of items to be done. The circle in the center of the diagram is the mobile app, our solution.  The boxes represent the parties, organizations, or systems with which the new app will interact, outside the scope. The arrows represent data flows showing information that will flow to and from the app. For example, the app will send information to the Buying Agent (e.g., the offer) and the Buying Agent will send information to the app (e.g., response to the offer). As you can see, this is a very simple view of the product scope which quickly reveals important information about the complexity and boundaries of the product.

Diagram 1: Context Diagram

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2. Use Case Diagram

A Case Diagram is a software development technique. It provides a high-level view of the scope of a solution. This approach helps you have conversations with your stakeholders about the roles of people involved in the solution and the goals. In diagram 2, the rectangle in the center represents your solution boundary /scope. The stick people are actors or parties that have a connection to the solution. The oval is the very high-level descriptions (use cases) of what the solution features and are considered goals of the actor. The lines are called association lines and they show how the actors are involved. Diagram 2: Use Case Diagram[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://rmcls.com/learn/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/use_case_diagram.png” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]

3. Product Backlog List

The product backlog is like a wish list for stakeholders. Its’ purpose is to ask stakeholders what features and functionality they want. From the product backlog list, you can analyze and prioritization the work to determine what is in and out of scope (see diagram 3). You might consider a phased approach, releasing the top ideas in the first phase and the next priorities in a second release. It can be difficult to get stakeholders to define what are the most important things they need. It also requires a clear understand of the business value and estimated cost of each requirement.  Continue to focus on facilitating good conversations with stakeholders to define the scope. Diagram 3: Product Backlog List[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://rmcls.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/backlog.png” title_text=”backlog” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]

The Value of Scope Analysis Techniques

There are several advantages to using business analysis techniques for scoping:
  1. Anyone can use them: project managers, systems analysts, or developers.
  2. Helps formulate questions for stakeholders.
  3. Facilitates discussion to identify roles and role changes
  4. Enables collaboration with stakeholders and helps ensure that everyone agrees to the scope of the solution.
  5. Shows the high-level functions included in scope.
  6. Helps get scope to a more manageable size and deliver more quickly.

RMC’s Got You Covered

RMC has several skill building courses to help you learn more about scope. There is our Managing Small Projects eLearning class where you can learn how to scope a small project. Our Business Analysis Fundamentals eLearning class covers more about these three techniques and others. Defining and Managing Project Requirements course offers high level of scoping.  Contact us for more details on our instructor-led class schedule. Finally, you can also listen to the recorded webinar Three Proven Analysis Tools to Prevent Scope Creep and earn 1 technical PDU. Sources: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/top-five-causes-scope-creep-6675[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
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PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition & PMP® Exam Changes

Book cover for the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition

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The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released the PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition (Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.  How does this impact your PMP® exam  preparation?  Let’s cover what you can expect based on PMI’s recent announcement so you can plan accordingly.

Most importantly, the PMP® Exam WILL NOT CHANGE in January 2022 due to the release of PMBOK® Guide–Seventh Edition, according to PMI.  The PMP® exam will continue to be based on the current Exam Content Outline (ECO).

The PMP® exam undergoes changes as part of a of a continuous improvement process.  PMBOK Guide–Sixth Edition is still relevant to the current PMP exam. Elements from PMBOK Guide 7th Edition may be incorporated as part of PMI’s continuous improvement process in the future, but the primary basis for the exam remains the current ECO.

RMC’s current materials are modeled on the existing ECO and because of this RMC is not releasing a new edition of Rita’s Exam Prep book or RMC’s exam materials. We do continuously improve our prep materials and delivery on a regular basis.

PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Changes

  1. PMI’s PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition Updates
  2. PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition and RMC’s Exam Prep Materials
  3. How Does PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Impact the CAPM® Exam?
  4. PMP Exam and Agile Methods

PMI’s PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition Updates

PMI has provided several updates that tell us what to expect with the release of the PMBOK Guide 7th edition.

July 2021:

  • The PMP exam is based on the PMP® Certification Exam Content Outline (ECO), not the PMBOK® Guide or other reference books. The Exam Content Outline summarizes the research conducted to create the PMP® exam and includes the most critical tasks required for project managers to master their role.
  • The current Exam Content Outline (ECO), dated January 2021, was designed to stay relevant for the foreseeable future, and PMI will give advance notice to the public before a new ECO and corresponding exam are launched.
  • PMBOK Guide 7th Edition will now be a reference to inform the development of the exam items. However, before any validated exam item is added to the exam, there is a rigorous and thorough review and field test cycle.  This process takes several months.
  • Key learnings and concepts from the PMBOK Guide–Sixth Edition remain valued and are referenced in sections of the guide (presumably referring to the Seventh Edition).
  • The PMBOK Guide is one of numerous potential inputs into preparing for the exam – and is listed as a reference – but is not a test-preparation tool.
  • The PMP exam is created based on the Exam Content Outline and uses many sources for question development.
  • More details are available from the PMBOK Guide FAQs updated in July 2021.

PMBOK Guide 7th Edition and RMC’s Exam Prep Materials

With the release of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, PMI announced it would be used as a reference to “inform the development of exam items.” Unlike previous versions of the PMBOK Guide®, the Seventh Edition is not creating sweeping changes to the exam itself.

The earlier versions of the PMBOK Guide showed changes to best practices in the field of project management.  That is not the case with PMBOK Guide 7th, which focuses more on outcomes than practices.  Those earlier versions of the PMBOK Guide often involved changes in terminology and processes, requiring wholesale changes to the exam and exam preparation materials. This is no longer the case.

Now, PMI says it will be changing the exam gradually over time.  This makes sense.  The old way PMI made changes gave the impression that knowledge gained under the prior editions of the PMBOK Guide was no longer relevant, requiring complete changes in the way project management is done.  The incremental approach is more consistent with the way project management practices change over time.

RMC’s current materials are modeled on the existing ECO and are therefore relevant to the PMP® exam as it is structured today.

How Does PMBOK Guide 7th Edition Impact the CAPM?

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® exam will change in January 2023 although PMI has only released limited information about it. We continue to keep in touch with PMI and other sources and will update this post as new information about the CAPM® exam becomes available. According to PMI, the CAPM® will follow the PMBOK® Guide―Sixth Edition, specifically:

  • The current CAPM® exam will continue to be based on the Sixth Edition as dictated by the Exam Content Outline for the CAPM examination.
  • The Sixth Edition is a test preparation tool that candidates may leverage to prepare for the CAPM exam. (PMBOK Guide FAQs, Updated March 2021)
  • The current CAPM® exam is based on the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition. Continue using RMC’s CAPM® materials for your test preparation.
  • Further information is outlined in the PMBOK Guide FAQs, Updated July 2021.

PMP and Agile Methods

Please be aware that our exam prep materials assume a basic familiarity with agile and predictive project management. But, RMC has many ways for students to build a foundation in agile methods as part of their exam prep.

RMC offers several Agile Fundamentals tools if you want to learn the basics of agile as part of your test preparation process.  If you are looking for a class, consider our Agile Fundamentals Instructor-Led Virtual course.  You can also purchase Rita’s PMP® Exam Prep book or system with the Agile Fundamentals book.

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RMC is Here to Help You Prepare

The PMP® Exam Prep, Tenth Edition is still the premier exam preparation book in the industry.  This is borne-out by pass rates and feedback we receive from our students.  PM FASTrack® is still the best exam simulator in the industry.  It is continuously updated with new questions, including questions relating to concepts contained in PMBOK® Guide―Seventh Edition and questions in PMI’s new question formats.

RMC’s PMP® Exam Prep System combines the power of our book, exam simulator and flashcards. Our PMP® Exam Prep, Tenth Edition audiobook provides an alternative to the printed book to improve the convenience of your exam preparation experience. RMC’s PMP® exam prep virtual instructor-led classes and eLearning course still represent some of the best ways to prepare for and pass the PMP® exam.

Contact us today if you have further questions about the PMP® exam or to explore which exam prep option is best for you.

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Project Management Compliance Process

Woman working on project management compliance process

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Many years ago, I had neighbors who owned and operated a B&B. They had a barn on their property which burned to the ground. Instead of replacing the barn, they decided to build a large conference space that included a commercial kitchen and the ability to seat over 100 guests. The plan was to hold conferences and weddings. They got their building permits and off they went. The project could have benefitted from a project management compliance process.

Unfortunately, they never checked the local zoning ordinance. While they were permitted to operate a B&B at their location and serve incidental meals to their guests, they were not allowed to hold conferences or host wedding receptions. The code allowed them to build the facility but not operate it. Had they done their research, perhaps contacted the town, they could have saved themselves a lot of money.

Compliance is important, some would say of paramount importance, since if a project is not in compliance it would most likely fail or at least incur significant cost and delay.

Clearly a project needs to be in compliance. It is the environment in which the project operates.  There should be a project management compliance process for every project. This process can be simple or extensive, depending on the size and complexity of the project as well as the project environment. The process touches on many aspects of project management, including risk, requirements, stakeholder engagement, planning and many others. Let’s start with compliance requirements.

Compliance Process in Project Management

  1. Compliance Requirements
  2. The Project Management Compliance Process Checklist
  3. Engaging Stakeholders
  4. Tips to Improve Compliance

Compliance Requirements

Gathering compliance requirements is similar to gathering requirements in other aspects of the project. A project manager should engage internal and external resources.

Associations and Affiliations

External organizations can have information and provide recommendations and standards that could provide compliance guidance, best practices and standards.  If your firm is a member of one of these organizations, and even if they are not, the organization may be willing to help by providing advice or even assistance. Examples of organizations could be Underwriter’s Laboratories or even the Internal Revenue Service.

Compliance Tool Kits

Open-source software or documents and guides could be a valuable resource or tool kits for compliance.  Examples could be health and safety, risk or quality guides or a business rules engine.

Consultants

Lawyers and accountants come to mind in helping a project manager to shape and understand their compliance environment.  Business and financial consultants can also prove to be valuable resources as well.

The Project Management Compliance Process Checklist

Gathering compliance requirements is only the first step. A project manager now needs to create a process for compliance to be followed throughout the project. The project manager also needs to be mindful of the fact that many compliance requirements change over time and that this could occur during the life of the project. Any project management compliance process must:

  1. Inform the project manager of laws and regulations.
  2. Require the project manager or a member of the project team or an outside expert to periodically check for and communicate changes to the compliance environment.
  3. Determine whether the organization has the maturity and structures in place to maintain compliance.
  4. Ensure that any process created involves interested or necessary stakeholders.
  5. The process must identify obstacles to compliance.
  6. Finally, the compliance process must continuously improve.

Engaging Stakeholders

A stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in the outcome of a project. This is a pretty wide net you are casting. In addition to including customers or others who might benefit from the product resulting from your project, it could also include members within the organization who could be adversely affected by your projects failure to be in compliance.

Stakeholders can be a valuable resource in identifying compliance issues.  The project manager can find out where they encounter issues or roadblocks.  They may also provide valuable insights into compliance solutions or even suggest polices or practices that could streamline compliance.

Of course, a project manager must exercise common sense when engaging stakeholders. Some projects require a degree of secrecy and under the broad definition or stakeholder, such broad disclosure could endanger that secrecy.  As examples, I’m thinking business transactions or the creation of a new product. Over engagement could result in disclosure of proprietary information.

Tips to Improve Compliance

In addition to engaging stakeholders and identifying compliance requirements, here are a few tools you can use to help you categorize your compliance requirements:

1. Affinity Diagram

This is an organization tool to help you manage compliance.  You can group compliance into categories such as security, systems or regulatory.  This should allow for more efficient management.

2. Identify Missing Groups

Work with stakeholders when reviewing affiliate diagrams to see if anything or anyone is left out.

3. Engage with Specialists

At the end of the day, call someone that knows more about this than you do. As a project manager, you’re not expected to be an expert, in law, accounting or HIPPA compliance. If these issues arise call someone who knows more about this stuff than you do.

4. Create a Compliance Register

This is a project document that allows you to track and share compliance information. The register could include a compliance requirement name and number and describes the compliance requirement. The description should include the category, type of compliance issue and what needs to be done within the project to deal with it.

There can be a cross reference to the risk register if the compliance issue presents threats or opportunities as well as plans for dealing with them. Who is going to respond to the issue as well as what needs to be done?

RMC’s Compliance Expertise

Your efforts in managing compliance can result in you identifying gaps in your knowledge and shortfalls. We suggest that you create a repository to capture what you know about compliance that can be used by others in your organization.

If you find that there are significant gaps in your abilities to manage compliance, RMC is here to help. View RMC’s webinar Focus on Compliance: Expand Your Awareness and Improve Project Success to expand your knowledge of compliance.

Compliance is part of the Business Environment Domain on the PMP Exam. If you are preparing for the PMP exam, you should expect questions about it. RMC expert in preparing you to take and pass the exam. Check our PMP exam prep class schedule.

 

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Project Goals vs Objectives

Close up of business person working at computer on project goals

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Project goals and objectives are similar in some ways and different in others. Although both can be used to guide a team through a project, a goal can be viewed as the purpose of the project, while an objective can be used to provide a map for hitting a goal.

To become a more effective project manager, it’s necessary to have a clear understanding of what a goal is versus what an objective is, and how to write and use each of these.

Tips to Understand and Write Project Goals and Objectives

  1. What are Your Objectives?
  2. What are Your Goals?
  3. How to Write Project Objectives and Goals
  4. SMART Objectives and SMART Goals for Project Managers

What Are Your Objectives?

 You can use objectives to clarify the goals of a project before you begin, and you can use them for the duration of a project to keep your team on track toward meeting stakeholder expectations. Also, objectives come in handy when you want to measure progress during a project, as well as when you want to see how well your team performed after the project’s completion.

  • Objectives are specific and measurable, and your team and stakeholders should agree on them.
  • They state what should be achieved by the time the project is complete, including tangible deliverables and they should be realistic.
  • Should be time-constrained and direct your team from start to finish, and they should be kept in mind as you make decisions to keep the project moving in the right direction.

As objectives are met, you should get closer to fulfilling project goals.

Project objectives example: Decrease the number of click-throughs to website so the customer gets to the goal of the link within 1 to 2 clicks.

What Are Your Goals?

While objectives are more specific and short-term, goals are more general and long-term.  Goals are represented in statements that help your team understand what the project has to accomplish for a business. Like objectives, you should be able to measure and track progress on goals to ensure you’re on the path toward meeting them.

  • Goals can be less specific, showcasing what should be possible for a business once a project is completed.
  • They can be centered on resources, deadlines, and performance.
  • Should focus on the long run and the ultimate purpose of the project. Objectives focus on the steps that need to be taken in the short term to reach the goals.

Project goals examples: Increase click-thoughts to website from social media by 15% within three months of release.

How to Write Project Objectives and Goals

It’s best to write your goals and objectives in a way that will be easy to understand. So, rather than using complex terms, stick to plain language and be brief.

Whoever reads your goals and objectives should immediately know what needs to be accomplished by a certain date. Therefore, sticking with action words and numbers is also recommended.

SMART Objectives and Goals for Project Managers

 Whether you’re writing objectives or goals, you can use the SMART method to articulate what you expect to achieve during a project. You can then share these clear expectations with your team so you can work together to get things done.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound:

  • Specific – Goals and objectives should be defined, so anyone who reads them will understand what’s expected of them. Be clear so your team will know what the preferred outcome is, as well as the individual milestones that need to be met along the way.
  • Measurable – The best way to track progress and see if your team is meeting objectives and goals is by making them measurable. For example, if the goal is to boost sales, set the percentage of increase (e.g. 25%) you’d like to see after the project solution has been implemented.
  • Achievable – Of course, you’ll want your objectives and goals to be attainable, so as you write them, think about whether it’s really possible to achieve them. Take time to consider the steps needed in order to avoid problems like scope creep to ensure success.
  • Realistic – In addition to being achievable, a goal or objective should be realistic. You and your team should have the time, resources, budget, and tools available to make things happen. Expectations shouldn’t be out of reach.
  • Time-Bound – Every goal and objective should have a start date and end date. As you work on a schedule, keep in mind that you might need to wait for one objective to be completed before your team can move on to the next one.

Are You Meeting Your Project Goals and Objectives?

It might take a little practice at first, but once you’re accustomed to writing clear and concise goals and objectives, you will find it easier to manage projects. After establishing these at the start of a project, you’ll be able to refer to them often to see if everything is on track or if changes need to be made.

Sources:

https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/project-objectives/

https://asana.com/resources/how-project-objectives

https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/how-to-create-smart-goals

https://hubstaff.com/tasks/smart-goals-project-managers

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