PMP Terms

Question 1

5 Whys Method

Answer 1

An effective tool for root cause analysis in which the question “why?” is asked of a problem in succession until the root cause is found.
Developed by Sakichi Toyoda, Lean philosophy.

Question 2

80/20 Rule

Answer 2

A general guideline with many applications; in terms of controlling processes, it contends that a relatively large number of problems or defects, typically 80%, are commonly due to a relatively small number of causes, typically 20%. (see also Pareto Chart).

Question 3

A/B Testing

Answer 3

A marketing approach used to determine user preferences by showing different sets of users’ similar services - an ‘Alpha’ and a ‘Beta’ version - with one independent variable.

Question 4

Accept

Answer 4

A strategy for managing negative risks or opportunities that involves acknowledging risk and not taking any action until the risk occurs.

Question 5

Acceptance Criteria

Answer 5

A set of conditions that is required to be met before deliverables are accepted.

Question 6

Accepted Deliverables

Answer 6

Deliverables that meet the acceptance criteria and have been formally signed off and approved by the customer or sponsor as part of the scope validation process.

Question 7

Active Listening

Answer 7

A communication technique that involves acknowledging the speaker’s message and the recipient clarifying the message to confirm that what was heard matches the message that the sender intended.

Question 8

Activity

Answer 8

A distinct portion of work, scheduled with a beginning and an end, that must be performed to complete work on the project. Also known as a schedule activity. See also “Task”

Question 9

Activity Attributes

Answer 9

Multiple attributes associated with each activity that can be included within the activity list.

Question 10

Activity Cost Estimates

Answer 10

Each task is assigned a budget, and the aggregate of these estimates results in the project budget. Activity cost estimates include labor, materials, equipment, and fixed cost items like contractors, services, facilities, financing costs, etc. This information can be presented in a detailed or summarized form.

Question 11

Activity Dependency

Answer 11

A logical relationship that exists between two project activities. The relationship indicates whether the start of an activity is contingent upon an event or input from outside the activity.

Question 12

Activity Duration Estimates

Answer 12

The quantitative assessments of the likely number of time periods that are required to complete an activity.

Question 13

Activity List

Answer 13

A documented tabulation of schedule activities that shows the activity description, activity identifier, and a sufficiently detailed scope-of-work description so project team members understand what work is to be performed.

Question 14

Activity on Arrow or Activity on Node

Answer 14

A graphical diagram on which schedule activities are represented by nodes (rectangular boxes) and their dependencies are depicted by arrows.

Question 15

Activity Resource Estimates

Answer 15

Material and human resources that are needed to complete an activity; often expressed by a probability or range.

Question 16

Activity Resource Requirements

Answer 16

The resources (physical, human, and organizational) required to complete the activities in the activity list

Question 17

Actual Cost (AC)

Answer 17

Earned Value Management term for the realized cost incurred for the work performed on an activity during a specific time.

Question 18

Adaptive

Answer 18

A type of project life cycle or methodology that values responding to change over following a set plan. Adaptive methodologies seek solutions that deliver maximum value to the customer.

Question 19

Administrative Closure

Answer 19

Involves verifying and documenting project results to formalize project or phase completion.

Question 20

Affinity Diagram

Answer 20

A technique that allows large numbers of ideas to be classified into groups for review and analysis.

Question 21

Affinity Estimating

Answer 21

Technique designed to rapidly estimate large stories (epics or features) in the backlog. For example: Fibonacci sequence, T-shirt sizing, coffee cup sizes.

Question 22

Agile

Answer 22

Refers to a type of project lifecycle (also known as adaptive) or methodology based on a set of values and principles and characterized by an openness towards change for the promotion of value or benefits delivery for the customer.

Also refers to a kind of project or project team that uses a non-binding expectation of what future iteration increments/sprints/iterations (outcomes and/or deliverables) will be combined int releases to the customer.

Question 23

Agile Coach

Answer 23

A process role on a project team that helps organizations achieve true agility by coaching teams across the enterprise on how to apply agile practices and choose their best way of working. (Scrum master).

Question 24

Agile Estimating

Answer 24

An approach that assists with planning a project appropriately from the beginning to ensure the team can focus on the quality of each deliverable.

Question 25

Agile Life Cycles

Answer 25

A project life cycle that is iterative or incremental.

Also referred to as change-driven or adaptive, they work well in environments with high levels of change and ongoing stakeholder involvement in a project.

Question 26

Agile Manifesto

Answer 26

2001: 17 SW developers, Snowbird Utah - discuss lightweight software development.
Four core values:
Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools
Working SW over Comprehensive Documentation
Customer Collaboration over Contract Negotiation
Responding to Change over Following a Plan

Question 27

Agile Modeling

Answer 27

A representation of the workflow of a process or system that the team can review before it is implemented in code.

Question 28

Agile Principles

Answer 28

A set of 12 Guidelines that support the Agile Manifesto and which practitioners and teams should internalize and act upon.

Question 29

Agile Release Planning

Answer 29

A process in which a team determines the number of iterations or Sprints that are needed to complete each release, the features that each iteration will contain, and the target dates of each release.

Question 30

Agile Space

Answer 30

Team space that encourages colocation, collaboration, communication, transparency, and visibility.

Question 31

Agreements

Answer 31

Any documents or communication that defines the initial intentions of a project. (contracts, MOUs, SLAs, etc.)

Question 32

Allowable Costs

Answer 32

Costs that are allowed under the terms of the contract. Becomes relevant under cost-reimbursable contracts in which the buyer reimburses the seller’s allowable costs.

Question 33

Analogous Estimating

Answer 33

A technique for estimating the duration of cost of an activity on a project using historical data from a similar activity or project. (Top Down Estimating)

Question 34

Analytical Techniques

Answer 34

Logical approach that looks at the relationship between outcomes and the factors that can influence them.

Question 35

Approved Change Requests

Answer 35

Change Requests that have been reviewed and approved by the change control board (CCB) and are ready to be scheduled for implementation.

Question 36

Artifact

Answer 36

Any project management processes, inputs, tools,techniques, outputs, EEFs, and OPAs that the project management team uses on their specific project. They are subject to configuration managemeent and are maintained and archived by the team.