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APPE N D I X X6

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TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

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X6.1 Introduction

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The PMBOK® Guide - Sixth Edition presents tools and techniques differently from previous editions. Where appropriate,
this edition groups tools and techniques by their purpose. The group name describes the intent of what needs to be

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done and the tools and techniques in the group represent different methods to accomplish the intent. For example, data
gathering is a group with the intent of gathering data and information. Brainstorming, interviews, and market research

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are among the techniques that can be used to gather data and information.
This approach reflects the emphasis in the Sixth Edition on the importance of tailoring the information presented in
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the PMBOK® Guide to the needs of the environment, situation, organization, or project.
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There are 132 individual tools and techniques in the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition. These are not the only tools
and techniques that can be used to manage a project. They represent those tools and techniques that are considered
to be good practice on most projects most of the time. Some are mentioned once and some appear many times in the
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PMBOK® Guide.
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To assist practitioners in identifying where specific tools and techniques are used, this appendix identifies each tool
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and technique, the group to which it belongs (if appropriate), and the process(es) where it is listed in the PMBOK® Guide.
The process in which a tool or technique is described in the guide is in boldface type. In other processes where the tool
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or technique is listed, it will reference the process in which it is described. Processes may provide additional verbiage
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on how a tool or technique is used in a particular process.

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685
 X6.2 Tools and Techniques Groups
The following tools and techniques groups are used throughout the PMBOK® Guide:
Data gathering techniques. Used to collect data and information from a variety of sources. There are nine data
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gathering tools and techniques.
Data analysis techniques. Used to organize, assess, and evaluate data and information. There are 27 data

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analysis tools and techniques.

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Data representation techniques. Used to show graphic representations or other methods used to convey data
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and information. There are 15 data representation tools and techniques.

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Decision-making techniques. Used to select a course of action from different alternatives. There are two
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decision-making tools and techniques.

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Communication skills. Used to transfer information between stakeholders. There are two communication skills
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tools and techniques.
Interpersonal and team skills. Used to effectively lead and interact with team members and other stakeholders.
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There are 17 interpersonal and team skills tools and techniques.
There are 60 ungrouped tools and techniques.

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Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques
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Knowledge AreaA
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Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule

Tool and
Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
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Technique
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Data Gathering Tools and Techniques

Benchmarking 5.2 8.1 13.2
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Brainstorming 4.1, 4.2 5.2 8.1 11.2 13.1

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Check sheets 8.3

Checklists 4.2 8.2, 8.3 11.2
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Focus groups 4.1, 4.2 5.2

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Interviews 4.1, 4.2 5.2 8.1 11.2,

11.3,
11.4,
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11.5
Market research 12.1
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Questionnaires 5.2 13.1

and surveys
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Statistical sampling 8.3

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686 Part 3 - Appendix X5
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Data Analysis Tools and Techniques
Alternatives 4.5, 4.6 5.1, 5.4 6.1, 6.4 7.1, 7.2 8.2 9.2, 9.6 11.5 13.4

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analysis

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Assessment 11.3
of other risk
parameters

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Assumption and 11.2
constraint analysis

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Cost of quality 7.2 8.1
Cost-benefit 4.5, 4.6 8.1 9.6 11.5
analysis

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Decision tree 11.4
analysis

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Document analysis 4.7 5.2 8.2 11.2 13.1
Earned value 4.5 6.6 7.4 12.3
analysis
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Influence diagrams 11.4
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Iteration burndown 6.6

chart
Make-or-buy 12.1
analysis
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Performance 6.6 8.3 9.6 12.3

reviews
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Process analysis 8.2

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Proposal evaluation 12.2

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687
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Data Analysis Tools and Techniques (cont.)
Regression analysis 4.7

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Reserve analysis 6.4 7.2, 7.3, 11.6

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7.4
Risk data quality 11.3
assessment

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Risk probability and 11.3
impact assessment

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Root cause analysis 4.5 8.2, 8.3 11.2 13.2,
13.4
Sensitivity analysis 11.4

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Simulation 6.5 11.4
Stakeholder 11.1 13.1,

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analysis 13.4
SWOT analysis 11.2 13.2
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Technical 11.7
performance
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analysis
Trend analysis 4.5, 4.7 5.6 6.6 7.4 9.6 12.3
Variance analysis 4.5, 4.7 5.6 6.6 7.4
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What-if scenario 6.5, 6.6

analysis
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688 Part 3 - Appendix X5
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Data Representation Tools and Techniques
Affinity diagrams 5.2 8.2

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Cause-and-effect 8.2, 8.3

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diagrams
Control charts 8.3
Flowcharts 8.1, 8.2

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Hierarchical charts 9.1

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Histograms 8.2, 8.3
Logical data model 8.1
Matrix diagrams 8.1, 8.2

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Matrix-based charts 9.1
Mind mapping 5.2 8.1 13.2

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Probability and 11.3
impact matrix
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Scatter diagrams 8.2, 8.3
Stakeholder 10.1, 13.2,
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engagement 10.3 13.4

assessment matrix
Stakeholder 13.1
mapping/
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representation
Text-oriented 9.1
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formats
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Decision-Making Tools and Techniques

Multicriteria 4.6 5.2, 5.3 8.1, 8.2 9.3 11.5 13.4
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decision analysis
Voting 4.5, 4.6 5.2, 5.5 6.4 7.2 13.4
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Communication Skills Tools and Techniques

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Feedback 10.2 13.4

Presentations 10.2 13.4
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689
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Interpersonal and Team Skills Tools and Techniques
Active listening 4.4 10.2 13.4

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Communication 10.1

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styles assessment
Conflict 4.1, 4.2 9.4, 9.5 10.2 13.3
management

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Cultural awareness 10.1, 13.3,
10.2 13.4

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Decision making 9.5
Emotional 9.5
intelligence

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Facilitation 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3 11.2,
4.4 11.3,

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11.4,
11.5
Influencing 9.4, 9.5, 11.6
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9.6
Leadership 4.4 9.5 13.4
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Meeting 4.1, 4.2 10.2

management
Motivation 9.4
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Negotiation 9.3, 9.4, 12.2 13.3

9.6
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Networking 4.4 10.2 13.4

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Nominal group 5.2

technique
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Observation/ 5.2 10.3 13.3

conversation
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Political awareness 4.4 10.1, 13.3,

10.2 13.4
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Team building 9.4

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690 Part 3 - Appendix X5
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Ungrouped Tools and Techniques
Advertising 12.2

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Agile release 6.5

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planning
Analogous 6.4 7.2 9.2
estimating

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Audits 8.2 11.7 12.3
Bidder conferences 12.2

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Bottom-up 6.4 7.2 9.2
estimating

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Change control 4.6
tools
Claims 12.3

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administration
Colocation 9.4
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Communication 10.1,
methods 10.2
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Communication 10.1
models
Communication 10.1
requirements
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analysis
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Communication 9.4 10.1,

technology 10.2
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Context diagram 5.2

Contingent 11.5
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response strategies
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Cost aggregation 7.3

Critical path method 6.5, 6.6
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PMI Member benefit licensed to: Leonardo Sapuy - 2923534. Not for distribution, sale, or reproduction.
691
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Ungrouped Tools and Techniques (cont.)
Decomposition 5.4 6.3

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Dependency 6.3

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determination
and integration
Design for X 8.2

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Expert judgment 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 9.1, 9.2 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1,
4.3, 4.4, 5.3, 5.4 6.4 7.3, 7.4 10.3 11.2, 12.2, 13.2,

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4.5, 4.6, 11.3, 12.3 13.3
4.7 11.4,
11.5,

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11.6
Financing 7.3

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Funding limit 7.3
reconciliation
Ground rules 13.3
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Historical 7.3
information review
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Individual and team 9.4

assessments
Information 4.4
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management
Inspections 5.5 8.3 12.3 13.3
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Knowledge 4.4
management
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Leads and lags 6.3, 6.5,

6.6
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Meetings 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 8.1, 8.3 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 13.1,
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4.3, 4.5, 6.4 9.4 10,2, 11.2, 13.2,

4.6, 4.7 10.3 11.3, 13.3,
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11.6 13.4
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PMI Member benefit licensed to: Leonardo Sapuy - 2923534. Not for distribution, sale, or reproduction.
692 Part 3 - Appendix X5
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Ungrouped Tools and Techniques (cont.)
Organizational 9.1

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theory

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Parametric 6.4 7.2 9.2
estimating
Pre-assignment 9.3

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Precedence 6.3
diagramming

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method
Problem solving 8.2 9.6
Product analysis 5.3

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Project management 4.3 6.3, 6.5, 7.2, 7.4 9.2, 9.5, 10.2, 11.6
information system 6.6 9.6 10.3

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Project reporting 8.2
Prompt lists 11.2
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Prototypes 5.2
Quality improvement 8.2
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methods
Recognition and 9.4
rewards
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Representations 11.4
of uncertainty
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Resource 6.5, 6.6

optimization
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Risk categorization 11.3

Rolling wave 6.2
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planning
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693
 Table X6-1. Categorization and Index of Tools and Techniques (cont.)

Knowledge AreaA

Communication

Procurement

Stakeholder
Integration

Resources
Schedule
Tool and

Quality
Scope

Cost

Risk
Technique

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Ungrouped Tools and Techniques (cont.)
Schedule 6.5, 6.6

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compression

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Schedule network 6.5
analysis
Source selection 12.1

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analysis
Strategies for 11.5

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opportunities
Strategies for 11.5
overall project risk

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Strategies for 11.5
threats

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Test and inspection 8.1
planning
Testing/product 8.3
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evaluations
Three-point 6.4 7.2
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estimating
To-complete 7.4
performance index
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Training 9.4
Virtual teams 9.3, 9.4
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The boldface entries indicate the section numbers of the processes where a tool or technique is described.
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694 Part 3 - Appendix X5