Project Management Project Management Foundations Syllabus

Are Process Groups the same as project phases?

No. Process Groups are logical groupings of processes that can recur within each phase, whereas phases are sequential time-bounded stages of the project lifecycle.

What is a phase gate (stage gate)?

A review at the end of a phase where performance and progress are compared to business and project documents to decide whether to continue, continue with modification, end, or hold the project.

What are the typical decision outcomes at a phase gate review?

Go/continue to the next phase, continue with changes, return to a prior phase, end the project, or hold/postpone the decision. Often called a go/no-go decision.

List the Ten PMBOK Knowledge Areas.

Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management.

Which Knowledge Area coordinates all the others and includes developing the charter and project management plan?

Project Integration Management. It unifies and coordinates processes across all Knowledge Areas.

Which Knowledge Area was renamed from "Human Resource Management," and what does it now cover?

Project Resource Management. It covers both team (human) resources and physical resources (materials, equipment, facilities).

What are the eight PMBOK 7 Performance Domains?

Stakeholders, Team, Development Approach and Life Cycle, Planning, Project Work, Delivery, Measurement, and Uncertainty.

How does PMBOK 7 differ structurally from PMBOK 6?

PMBOK 6 was process-based (49 processes across 5 Process Groups and 10 Knowledge Areas). PMBOK 7 is principles-based, organized around 12 principles and 8 performance domains, emphasizing outcomes over prescriptive processes.

What does the "Uncertainty" performance domain address?

Activities and functions for dealing with risk, ambiguity, complexity, and volatility, aiming to navigate threats and opportunities effectively.

How many project management principles are in PMBOK 7, and what do they represent?

Twelve principles. They are foundational guidelines for behavior and decision-making that guide the conduct of project professionals, aligned with the PMI Code of Ethics.

Name at least six of the twelve PMBOK 7 project management principles.

Any six of: Stewardship; Team; Stakeholders; Value; Systems thinking; Leadership; Tailoring; Quality; Complexity; Risk; Adaptability and resiliency; Change.

What does the "Stewardship" principle require of project professionals?

Being a diligent, respectful, and caring steward — acting responsibly and with integrity, care, and trustworthiness while complying with internal and external guidelines and considering financial, social, and environmental impacts.

What does the "Tailoring" principle mean?

Designing the project development approach, processes, governance, and methods to fit the unique context, objectives, stakeholders, and environment of each project rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.

What are the main types of organizational structures affecting projects?

Functional, matrix (weak, balanced, strong), projectized (project-oriented), and hybrid/composite structures.

In a functional organizational structure, how much authority does the project manager have?

Little to none. Functional managers control resources and budgets; the project manager's role is often part-time or coordinator/expediter with minimal authority.

In a projectized organization, who controls resources and holds authority?

The project manager. They have high to almost total authority, team members are assigned full-time, and the project manager typically controls the budget.

Compare weak, balanced, and strong matrix structures regarding PM authority.

Weak matrix: low PM authority (functional-manager-dominant). Balanced matrix: shared authority between PM and functional manager. Strong matrix: high PM authority, closer to projectized.

What is the difference between a project coordinator and a project expediter?

A project expediter acts as a staff assistant/communicator with no decision-making authority. A project coordinator has some authority to make decisions and reports to a higher-level manager.

Define Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs).

Conditions not under the project team's control that influence, constrain, or direct the project. They can be internal (culture, structure, systems) or external (market conditions, laws, standards).

Give three examples of Enterprise Environmental Factors.

Any of: organizational culture and structure, government/industry standards and regulations, market conditions, existing infrastructure/IT systems, stakeholder risk tolerances, and available human resources or their skills.

Define Organizational Process Assets (OPAs).

Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization. They are internal and can be updated throughout the project.

What are the two main categories of Organizational Process Assets?

(1) Processes, policies, and procedures; and (2) Organizational knowledge bases (e.g., lessons learned, historical information, configuration and financial data).

What is the key difference between EEFs and OPAs?

OPAs are internal assets the organization owns and the team can update and reuse (processes, templates, historical data). EEFs are conditions outside the team's control that influence the project (culture, regulations, market). Historical/lessons-learned data are OPAs.

What is project governance?

The framework, functions, and processes that guide project management activities to create a unique product, service, or result to meet organizational, strategic, and operational goals. It defines oversight, decision-making, roles, and accountability.

Why is tailoring important in project governance?

Because no single approach fits all projects; tailoring adapts governance, processes, and rigor to the project's size, complexity, and risk, ensuring appropriate oversight without unnecessary bureaucracy.

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

Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Honesty.

In the PMI Code of Ethics, what does the value of "Responsibility" require?

Taking ownership of the decisions we make or fail to make, the actions we take or fail to take, and their consequences — including only accepting work we are qualified for and upholding laws and policies.

In the PMI Code of Ethics, what does "Fairness" require regarding conflicts of interest?

Making decisions and acting impartially and objectively, free from competing self-interest, prejudice, and favoritism; it requires proactively disclosing any real or potential conflict of interest to affected stakeholders.

According to the PMI Code of Ethics, what must you do when you have a potential conflict of interest?

Proactively and fully disclose it to the appropriate stakeholders, and refrain from participating in the decision or otherwise attempting to influence outcomes until the disclosure has been addressed and consent obtained.

In the PMI Code of Ethics, how do mandatory standards differ from aspirational standards?

Aspirational standards describe the conduct we strive to uphold as professionals (ideals). Mandatory standards establish firm requirements and, in some cases, limit or prohibit behavior; violating them can lead to disciplinary action.