Project Management Professional - Wikipedia 4/2/21, 5(19 PM

Project Management Professional

Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional
designation offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).[1] As of 31 July 2020, there are
1,036,367 active PMP certified individuals and 314 chartered chapters across 214 countries and
territories worldwide.[2] The exam is based on the PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge.

Contents
Exam syllabus
Item references
Purpose
Examination process
PMI Audit
Item writing
Prerequisites to become eligible
Group A
Group B
Continuous credential requirements
Credential value
Other PMI credentials
Difference from PRINCE2 Certifications
References

Exam syllabus
The PMP exam is based on the PMP Examination Specification,[3] which describes tasks out of five
performance domains:

1. Initiating the project (13%)

2. Planning the project (24%)
3. Executing the project (31%)
4. Monitoring and controlling the project (25%)
5. Closing the project (7%)
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The exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions written against the PMBOK specification and the
PMP Code of Ethics. The exam is closed book; no reference materials are allowed. Five of the 180
questions on the exam are "sample" questions used to fine-tune the degree of difficulty and precision
of the exam and as such are not counted for or against a test taker. These questions are placed
randomly throughout the exam. The test taker is only graded on their proficiency on 175 questions.
The numbers in parentheses describe the percentage of questions for each domain.[4]

Announced in June 2019, the PMP Examination Content Outline[5] will undergo significant re-
categorization, effective January 2021, which prescribe 3 all new performance domains:

1. People (42%)
2. Process (50%)
3. Business Environment (8%)

Item references
Each exam item (a question with its possible answers) has at least two references to standard books or
other sources of project management. Most of the questions reference the PMI A Guide to the Project
Management Body of Knowledge (aka the PMBOK Guide).[4] The PMBOK Guide is currently (2018)
in its sixth edition, and the PMP exam changed in March 2018 to align with the updated guide.[6]

The Project Management Framework embodies a project life cycle and five major project
management Process Groups:[7]

1. Initiating
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing

encompassing a total of 49 processes.[7]

Mapped to these five process groups are ten project management Knowledge Areas:

1. Project Integration Management

2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Schedule Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management

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8. Project Risk Management

9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholder Management[7]

The processes of these knowledge areas are described by their inputs, tools and techniques, and
outputs. The PMBOK also emphasizes the interaction and interdependence between different process
groups. For example, the outputs from one process may be used by one or more other processes as
inputs.

Purpose
Government, commercial and other organizations employ PMP certified project managers in an
attempt to improve the success rate of projects in all areas of knowledge, by applying a standardized
and evolving set of project management principles as contained in PMI's PMBOK Guide.

In December 2005, the PMP credential was number 7 of ZDNet's 10 best IT certifications.[8] In 2012
the PMP credential was ranked as a top certification by CIO.[9] In 2015, the PMP credential was
ranked as the #4 certification by Global Knowledge, behind 3 Security certifications.[10]

Examination process
The global network of Pearson VUE testing centers provides the
PMP exam as a computer-based test. They also offer a paper-
based option for locations with no nearby Prometric testing
centers. The exam consists of 180 questions ("items"). 5 are pre-
release items, which are not included in exam scoring. Prometric
calculates the score based on the other 175 items. Each multiple-
choice item has one correct answer and three incorrect answers.

Candidates who take the computer-based test receive their results

(passed or not passed) immediately upon completion. PMI also
evaluates proficiency levels in each project management process An example of a PMP Certificate
group in 4 levels. Above Target, Target, Below Target, and Needs issued by the PMI to candidates who
pass the Project Management
Improvement. Examiners provide these results to the candidate
Professional Exam.
on a score report after the examination. Candidates who take
paper-based tests receive their test results and score reports
typically within 4 weeks.

PMI Audit

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PMI conducts application audits to confirm the experience and/or education documented on
certification applications. The purpose of the audit is to enhance the credibility of the certification
program and of the certification holders. For each certification, a specified percentage of applications
are randomly selected for audit.[11]

Item writing
Item writing is an ongoing process at PMI, and they periodically add new four-choice questions
(items) and remove others. Item writers use the PMP Examination Specification to identify item
contents and references (project management texts or standards) to verify correctness. Individuals
who are active in the field of PMP exam preparation (trainers, courseware developers, book authors,
etc..) may not participate in item writing.

Prerequisites to become eligible

Candidates must meet the prerequisites in one of the following groups to be eligible for PMP
Certification:[12]

Group A
A four-year degree
36 months leading projects
35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification

Group B
A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent)
60 months leading projects
35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification

Continuous credential requirements

Continuous credential requirements are also called CCRs. To maintain the PMP qualification, 60
professional development units (PDUs) must be earned over a three-year cycle, from activities such as
researching, authoring articles, speaking on project management-related topics, or being engaged
full-time in project management.[13] Credential holders may earn PDUs towards the maintenance of
their credential through formal academic courses or courses offered by a provider (R.E.P. or
Component). However, these are only two of the five categories of PDU earning opportunities in
which a credential holder may participate.[14]

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Effective 1 December 2015, CCRs were updated to align with the employer-identified skills depicted in
the PMI Talent Triangle, a combination of technical, leadership, and strategic and business
management expertise, to ensure credential holders are equipped with skills relevant in a continually
changing business environment.[15]

Credential value
The US Department of Education and the National Science Foundation have deemed all United States
professional certifications to be at level 50 in the Mapping The World of Education, Comparable
Database System (Volume Two: Codes for Program Completion Awards by Country). The Level 50
code addresses "Postsecondary Programs and Awards of No More Than 2 Years. Programs and
awards that are designed to represent no more than 2 years of study; constitute postsecondary
education as operationally defined in CDS; and are not second (graduate-level) programs and
awards." [16]

Other PMI credentials

PMP (Project Management Professional) is one of eight credentials offered by PMI:[17]

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Project Management Professional (PMP)
Program Management Professional (PgMP)
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

Difference from PRINCE2 Certifications

PRINCE2 certifications could be seen as a competitor of Project Management Professional (PMP). In
general, the US and American countries prefer PMP, and UK, Australia and Europe prefer PRINCE2.
Asia, Africa and the Middle East area have no strong preference for one or the other.

The organizations behind these two certifications acknowledge each other's existence in their
advertising material and attempt to position themselves as complementary products – PRINCE2 as a
methodology, and the subject of the PMP certification (such as the PMBOK Guide) as a guide or
standard[4] – which can be used alongside each other. In practice, companies and practitioners
choose one system or both due to the project environment, their geographical location and costs
involved.

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References
1. "Certifications" (https://www.pmi.org/certifications). Project Management Institute. Retrieved
21 October 2020.
2. "PMI Fact File" (http://www.pmitoday-digital.com/pmitoday/august_2019). PMI Today. Project
Management Institute: 4. August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
3. Project Management Professional (PMP) Examination Specification. Project Management
Institute. September 2005. ISBN 978-1-930699-88-5.
4. "Project Management Professional (PMP) ® Handbook" (https://web.archive.org/web/2011112204
2800/http://www.pmi.org/Certification/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pdc_pmphandbook.ashx).
Project Management Institute. Archived from the original (http://www.pmi.org/certification/~/media/
pdf/certifications/pdc_pmphandbook.ashx) (PDF) on November 22, 2011. Retrieved
September 18, 2009.
5. "Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content Outline" (https://www.pmi.org/-/
media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/pmp-examination-content-outline-july-2020.pdf?v=d
2061dbc-3a3a-4cf0-bb67-7e8e0429f8f8) (PDF). Project Management Institute. Retrieved
5 February 2020.
6. "Episode 52- The PMP Exam: 6th Edition Changes, What to Expect, and Tips to Pass - PMP
Certification Exam Prep & Training - Velociteach" (https://www.velociteach.com/2018/02/episode-5
2-pmp-exam-6th-edition-changes-expect-tips-pass/). PMP Certification Exam Prep & Training -
Velociteach. 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
7. PMBOK Guide 6th Edition
8. Dignan, Larry (December 11, 2008). "The 10 best IT certifications" (https://www.zdnet.com/article/t
he-10-best-it-certifications/). Retrieved September 18, 2009.
9. Hein, Rich (August 2012). "12 IT Certifications That Deliver Career Advancement" (http://www.cio.
com/article/714667/12_IT_Certifications_That_Deliver_Career_Advancement).
10. Hales, John. "15 Top-Paying Certifications for 2015" (http://www.globalknowledge.com/training/ge
neric.asp?pageid=3736&country=United+States).
11. https://www.pmi.org/certifications/faq
12. https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp
13. "Maintain Your Credential" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090707125352/http://www.pmi.org/Car
eerDevelopment/Pages/MaintainYourCredential.aspx). Project Management Institute. Archived
from the original (http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/MaintainYourCredential.aspx) on
July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
14. "Maintain your Credentials" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140624124612/http://www.pmi.org/Cer
tification/~/media/PDF/Certifications/CCRS_Credential_Holder_FAQ.ashx). PMI.org. Project
Management Institute. Archived from the original (http://www.pmi.org/Certification/~/media/PDF/C
ertifications/CCRS_Credential_Holder_FAQ.ashx) on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
15. "Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program Updates" (http://www.pmi.org/certification/
ccr-updates-pra.aspx). PMI.org. Project Management Institute. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
16. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20101016044336/https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/map
ping/). Archived from the original (https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/mapping/) on 2010-10-16.
Retrieved 2010-07-07.
17. "Certifications" (http://www.pmi.org/Certification.aspx). Project Management Institute. Retrieved
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17. "Certifications" (http://www.pmi.org/Certification.aspx). Project Management Institute. Retrieved

July 9, 2014.

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