Project Management Professional (PMP) PMP Foundations and the PMI Mindset Syllabus

What are Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs)?

Conditions, not under the immediate control of the team, that influence, constrain, or direct the project. They can be internal (culture, structure, infrastructure) or external (market, regulations, standards).

Give three examples of internal EEFs and three examples of external EEFs.

Internal: organizational culture/structure, IT infrastructure, resource availability, employee capability. External: marketplace conditions, government/legal regulations, industry standards, social/cultural influences.

What are Organizational Process Assets (OPAs)?

Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to and used by the organization. They are internal to the organization and grow with experience.

What are the two main categories of OPAs?

(1) Processes, policies, and procedures (templates, guidelines, standards); and (2) Organizational knowledge bases (lessons learned, historical information, configuration/financial data, issue and defect databases).

What is the key distinction between EEFs and OPAs?

OPAs are internal to the organization and can be updated by the team (processes, templates, historical data); EEFs are conditions that influence the project but are generally NOT controllable by the team.

What is project governance?

The framework, functions, and processes that guide project management activities to create a unique product/service while meeting organizational, strategic, and operational goals. It provides oversight and decision-making structure.

What is tailoring in project management?

The deliberate adaptation of the approach, governance, and processes to make them more suitable for the given environment and the specific project at hand.

Name common drivers/factors that influence how a project should be tailored.

Project size, complexity, criticality, organizational culture and maturity, industry/regulatory requirements, development approach, team capability, and stakeholder needs.

In the PMI Talent Triangle, what are the three skill domains every project professional needs?

Ways of Working (technical/delivery skills), Power Skills (interpersonal/leadership skills), and Business Acumen (strategic and business management understanding).

What are 'power skills' and give examples?

Interpersonal/soft skills enabling effective leadership: communication, emotional intelligence, collaboration, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and an innovative/adaptive mindset.

What is 'business acumen' in the PMI Talent Triangle?

The ability to understand and apply organizational and industry knowledge—aligning projects with strategy, understanding business value, and making decisions that benefit the organization and stakeholders.

What are the four values in the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct?

Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Honesty.

What does the value of 'Responsibility' mean in the PMI Code of Ethics?

Taking ownership of our decisions and actions and their consequences—accepting only assignments we are qualified for, fulfilling commitments, and reporting unethical/illegal conduct.

What does the value of 'Fairness' require in the PMI Code of Ethics?

Making decisions and acting impartially and objectively, free from competing self-interest, prejudice, and favoritism; disclosing conflicts of interest and providing equal access to information.

What is the difference between mandatory standards and aspirational standards in the PMI Code of Ethics?

Aspirational standards are conduct we strive to uphold (high ideals); mandatory standards establish firm requirements that limit/prohibit behavior—violations may lead to disciplinary action by PMI.

What is a conflict of interest, and what should a project manager do about one?

A situation where personal interests could improperly influence professional judgment. The PM must proactively and fully disclose it to the affected stakeholders and refrain from involvement in the decision until disclosed and resolved.

When facing an ethical dilemma on a project, what general approach does PMI advocate?

Gather the facts, evaluate options against the Code of Ethics (Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Honesty), consider impact on stakeholders, disclose conflicts, and choose the action that upholds honesty and the organization's/public's interest over self-interest.

Why is cultural awareness important in project management?

Projects increasingly involve diverse, often global teams; understanding cultural differences in communication, decision-making, and norms reduces misunderstanding, builds trust, and improves collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

How should a project manager handle diversity within a team according to the PMI mindset?

Treat all stakeholders with respect, value diverse perspectives as a source of innovation, avoid bias, ensure inclusive communication, and adapt leadership style to the team's cultural and individual differences.

How many project management principles are in the PMBOK Guide (7th edition), and what is their purpose?

There are 12 principles. They provide foundational guidelines for behavior and decision-making (the 'what and why'), guiding the actions of project professionals across any approach.

List the 12 project management principles of the PMBOK Guide (7th edition).

1) Be a diligent, respectful, and caring steward; 2) Create a collaborative team environment; 3) Effectively engage with stakeholders; 4) Focus on value; 5) Recognize, evaluate, and respond to system interactions; 6) Demonstrate leadership behaviors; 7) Tailor based on context; 8) Build quality into processes and deliverables; 9) Navigate complexity; 10) Optimize risk responses; 11) Embrace adaptability and resiliency; 12) Enable change to achieve the envisioned future state.

What does the 'Stewardship' principle mean?

Acting responsibly to carry out activities with integrity, care, and trustworthiness while maintaining compliance—being a diligent, respectful, and caring steward of internal and external responsibilities.

What is the difference between a 'principle' and a 'performance domain' in the PMBOK Guide (7th edition)?

Principles guide behavior and decision-making (the 'why/how to act'); performance domains are groups of related activities critical for effective delivery of project outcomes (the 'areas to focus on').

How many performance domains are in the PMBOK Guide (7th edition) and name them.

There are 8: Stakeholders, Team, Development Approach and Life Cycle, Planning, Project Work, Delivery, Measurement, and Uncertainty.

What is the purpose of the Measurement performance domain?

To assess project performance and take appropriate actions to maintain acceptable performance—covering establishing measures, gathering data, and presenting/responding to information to support decisions and value delivery.

What does the Uncertainty performance domain address?

Activities and functions associated with risk and uncertainty—including ambiguity, complexity, volatility, and threats/opportunities—so the project can navigate and respond effectively.

In the PMBOK Guide (7th edition), what is a 'model'?

A thinking strategy to explain a process, framework, or phenomenon—e.g., situational leadership models, communication models, motivation models, or change models—used to aid decision-making.

In the PMBOK Guide (7th edition), what is a 'method'?

A means for achieving an outcome, output, result, or project deliverable—e.g., data gathering/analysis methods, estimating methods, meetings, and other techniques used to do the work.

In the PMBOK Guide (7th edition), what is an 'artifact'?

A template, document, output, or project deliverable—e.g., the project charter, business case, plans, baselines, logs/registers (risk register, issue log), reports, and agreements.

How do models, methods, and artifacts relate to the principles and performance domains?

Principles and performance domains describe what to do and why; models, methods, and artifacts are the practical tools (thinking strategies, techniques, and documents) that support carrying out the work within the performance domains.

What is the 'systems thinking' principle (recognize and respond to system interactions) about?

Viewing the project as a system of interacting and interdependent parts within a larger environment; recognizing, evaluating, and responding to internal and external dynamic interactions to enable positive outcomes.