PMP Cheat Sheet - 1 (Basics)

Project Management Framework:

Project : Is a temporary endeavor with a start and end date. It creates unique product, service or result.

Operation: Is an ongoing work (daily work) like manufacturing or doing the same repeated tasks or activity. When a project is completed, then Operations will take over. Improving an operation work can trigger another project activity.

Project Management: It is a science and art and follows systematic process. PMI breaks down Project Management into Process Groups and Knowledge Areas.

Process Groups :

1. Initiation
2. Planning
3. Execution
4. Monitoring & Control
5. Closing  

Knowledge Areas:

1. Integration Management
2. Scope Management
3. Time Management
4. Cost Management
5. Quality Management
6. Risk Management
7. Human Resource Management
8. Communication Management
9. Stakeholder Management
10. Procurement Management

Program Management: A program is a group of related projects. A program may contain one or more projects. Helps to reduce risks and improves co-ordination.

Portfolio Management : Group of Programs, Projects and Operations. Helps to optimize the resources and reduces the risks.

Organizational Project Management: Framework to keep an organization focussed on overall strategy. Provides a way to use and guide Portfolio, Program and Project Management drive towards organization strategy.

Project Management Office : PMO is created to centralize and standardize the mangement of projects. PMO should be supportive, Controlling and Directive in nature.

Project Constraints : As a Project Manager one needs to juggle many constraints of the project like Time, Cost, Risk, Quality, Resources, Customer Satisfaction etc.,

Stakeholders : Stakeholders are any people or organization whose interests are positively or negatively impacted on the project. As a Project Manager we need to inform, take input, work to their needs and expectations.

Organizational Structure :

• Functional : silo (works independently from others)
• Project : no home
• Matrix : combination of functional and project. This is the default org structure unless specified in PMP exam. Team members have two bosses : Functional Manager and Project Manager. Tight matrix means co-located team.

Enterprise Environmental Factors : Company culture, Existing systems, Organizational structure, hierarchy are all environmental factors.

Project Life Cycle vs Project Management Process:
Project life cycle is either Plan driven (Waterfall model or traditional life cycles) or Change driven (Incremental , Iterative or Adaptive (agile) )
Project life cycle is a framework or methodology.
Project Management Process is what you need to do as a Project Manager to manage the work.