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From PMP Certification All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies by Cynthia Stackpole
Snyder
This Cheat Sheet gives you quick PMP certification facts to remember on test day to help you answer exam
questions. You can review major project management concepts, as well as key tools, techniques, outputs,
processes, and some common equations found on the exam. Many of the key concepts are defined in the
PMBOK Guide Glossary.

PMP Scheduling Relationships

Expect to see up to 10 questions dealing with network diagrams, precedence
diagramming, and scheduling issues on the PMP (Project Management
Professional) Certification exam. Here are some of the details you need to
know:
FS = Finish-to-start
FF = Finish-to-finish
SS = Start-to-start
SF = Start-to-finish
Lead = An acceleration in the relationships between activities
Lag = A directed delay in the relationship between activities
A mandatory dependency is based on the nature of the work
A discretionary dependency is based on a best practice or preferred way of
doing something
An external dependency is based on a situation outside the project

PMP Estimating Techniques

Estimating techniques can be applied to resources, effort, duration, and
costs. The following are different methods of estimating you can use,
depending on the situation.

Estimating Description
method

Analogous Generally used at the start of the project when not much is
estimating known. Compares the current project to past similar
projects. A quick and relatively easy method of estimating,
though not terribly accurate.

Parametric Used for estimates that are quantitatively based, such as

estimating dollars per square foot or number of installations per day.
A relatively simple method, but not every activity or cost

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can be estimated quantitatively.

Three-point Accounts for uncertainty associated with estimating by

estimating determining an optimistic (best case, represented by O),
most likely (represented by M) and pessimistic (worst case,
represented by P) scenario. The most likely estimate is
weighted most heavily. The equation is:
(O+4M+P)/6

Bottom up Used when there is significant detail about the activity. A

estimating detailed assessment of the resources, capabilities, and
amounts are used to determine an accurate duration or
cost estimate. This is the most accurate method, but also
the most time-consuming and expensive form of
estimating.

PMP Statistics for Normal and Cumulative

Distributions
You must know some basic statistics for the PMP Certification exam. All
equations are based on a normal distribution. In a normal distribution, keep
the following in mind:
68.3% of the data points fall within one standard deviation
95.5% of the data points fall within two standard deviations
99.7% of the data points fall within three standard deviations
If you're looking at a normal curve and need a cumulative distribution, you
should remember these values:
0.15% of the data points fall between 0 and -3σ from the mean
2.25% of the data points fall between 0 and -2σ from the mean
16% of the data points fall between 0 and -1σ from the mean
84% of the data points fall between 0 and +1σ from the mean
97.75% of the data points fall between 0 and +2σ from the mean
99.85% of the data points fall between 0 and +3σ from the mean

PMP Strategies for Conflict Resolution

As you plan and execute a project, there will be conflicts and differences of
opinion. The five strategies you can use to resolve conflict are:

Strategy Description Situation

Confronting/ Problem- Confronting the When you have

solving conflict as a problem confidence in the
to be solved other party’s ability
to problem solve
When the
relationship is
important
When you need a
win-win solution

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Collaborating Win-win through When there is time

collaboration and and trust
meeting to resolve When the objective
issues is to learn
When you want to
incorporate multiple
views
When there is time
to come to
consensus

Compromising When you are When there is a

looking for some willingness to give
degree of satisfaction and take
for both parties When both parties
need to win
When you can’t win
When an equal
relationship exists
between the parties
in conflict
When the stakes are
moderate
To avoid a fight

Smoothing/Accommodating Emphasize areas of To reach an

agreement overarching goal
To maintain
harmony
When any solution
will be adequate
When you will lose
anyway
To create goodwill

Forcing Win-lose; impose the When you are right

resolution In a do-or-die
situation
When the stakes are
high
To gain power
If the relationship is
not important
When time is of the
essence

Withdrawal/ Avoiding Retreat; cool off When you can’t win

When the stakes are
low
To preserve
neutrality or
reputation
If the problem will
go away on its own

PMP Earned Value: Variances and Indexes

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You'll see five to ten questions on this topic in the PMP Certification exam.
Here is the fundamental information to determine cost and schedule
variances and indexes.
For variance and indexes, always start with EV.
When looking for information on schedule, use PV.
When looking for information on cost, use AC.
For a variance, subtract.

SV = EV-PV

CV = EV-AC

Negative is bad; positive is good.

For an index, divide.

SPI = EV/PV

CPI = EV/AC

Less than 1.0 is bad, greater than 1.0 is good.

PMP Quality Control Tools

There are many ways to assess quality control. When you take the PMP
Certification exam, you should be able to apply the following quality control
tools:
Cause and effect diagram. Diagrams that define the inputs to a process or
product in order to identify potential causes of defects.
Histogram. A bar chart showing a distribution of variables.
Run chart. Show trends in the variation of a process over time.
Scatter diagram. Shows the relationship between two variables.
Control Chart. A graphic display of process data over time and against
established control limits, and that has a centerline that assists in detecting a
trend of plotted values toward either control limit.
Flowcharting. The depiction in a diagram format of the inputs, process
actions, and outputs of one or more processes within a system.
Pareto Chart. A histogram, ordered by frequency of occurrence, that shows
how many results were generated by each identified cause.
Inspection. Examining or measuring to verify whether an activity, component,
product, result, or service conforms to specified requirements.

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