Want PMP exam tips and tricks that you’ve probably never seen? Want to improve your PMBOK memory dramatically in the next 10 minutes and all the PMP acronym / mnemonic / memory aids in one place?
Good. Let’s get started.
The “skeleton” of the PMBOK guide is the process chart. It is a good idea to have this memorized before your PMP exam. For information on how to memorize this chart, check out our article here.
Using mnemonics will decrease your study time because your brain works in association. If you associate a concept that your brain already knows with a concept that it is trying to learn, your learning curve decreases dramatically.
Although you do not need remember all of the ITTOs (Inputs, Tools & Techniques, Outputs) for all the processes, you do need to know the definition and function of all of the ITTOs.
In the Identify Risk process, two of the Tools and Techniques are Information Gathering Techniques and Diagramming Techniques.
Information Gathering Techniques = BIRDS
Root cause identification
2) To remember the components of Diagramming Techniques, use the acronym CSI.
Diagramming Techniques = CSI
Cause and effect analysis
System or process flow charts
In the Quantitative Risk Analysis process, two of the Tools and Techniques are Data Gathering and Representation Techniques and Quantitative Risk Analysis and Modelling.
Data Gathering and Representation Techniques = PIE
2) The components of Quantitative Risk Analysis and Modelling can be memorized using the acronym MEDS.
Quantitative Risk Analysis and Modelling = MEDS
Modeling and simulation (Monte Carlo simulation)
Decision tree analysis
Sensitivity analysis (e.g. tornado diagram)
The tools and techniques for Define Scope are:
2) Strategies for Positive Risks / Threats = SEE
From these 4 examples, I hope you are starting to see that to pass the PMP exam, you need to come up with acronyms or mnemonics to help you remember project management concepts faster.
If you’ve already gone through the PMBOK more than once, you have probably already started seeing many repeating ITTOs. Here are some of the most common ITTOs that you see in almost all the processes.
Here are 7 other PMP exam tips and tricks to help you understand definitions and differences between key related terms in the PMBOK.
Take a Check Collection Form and Run to Hyderabad Public School.
Cause and Effect Diagrams.
Collective bargaining agreements
Product Scope Description
Quality Assurance focusses on preventing defects in the process while the product is being created. On the other hand, Quality control is focussed on identifying defects in the product before it gets into the hands of the customers.
Attribute sampling is a binary Yes/No question. The purpose is to test for conformity. For example, is this product over 150g? If yes, accept. If no, reject.
Variable sampling takes into account the degree of conformity. It takes measurements along a continuous scale, and answers the questions “how much,” “how good,” or how bad.” E.g. What is the weight of the acceptable products (over 150g)?
Common causes for variation are considered normal and part of the process. Special causes are not a normal part of the process and need to be fixed immediately.
Precision is how many times you can hit the same point, not necessarily the target. Accuracy is how close you are to hitting the target. Accuracy measure the distance, while precision measures repeatability.
I hope by going through this article, you can see how much faster you can remember the concepts in the PMBOK by using memory aids. If you are having trouble remember a concept, make it a game for yourself and associate that concept with something that you are already familiar with.
In this way, you will remember things much faster and be closer to getting PMP certified. To your success!