1st Edition
Mastering the NEW PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam (2023 Version)
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading professional association for project management, and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals and individuals who use project management skills. PMI offers several certifications in the areas of project management, risk management, and other related areas.
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) is one credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The CAPM® is an entry-level certification for project practitioners. Designed for those with less project experience, the CAPM® is intended to demonstrate candidates’ understanding of the fundamental knowledge, terminology, and processes of effective project management.
This certification is a popular prerequisite that helps employers find the professionals most suited to fulfill specific roles in their organizations. Most study guides just explain the contents of the exam without providing tools to maximize learning. The authors, as authorized training partners with PMI, translate the new 2023 examination content outline into what exam takers need to do and know in preparation for the exam. It also provides them with exercises and prep questions as a quick and easy check to ensure they are on the right path in preparation for the exam, thus maximizing their chance of passing.
1.1. Step-by-step study plan – 30 steps for Success. 10
2. Pretest knowledge assessment. 12
2.1. Pretest knowledge assessment questions. 12
2.2. Pretest knowledge assessment answers. 14
3. CAPM Certification overview.. 18
3.2. Why Become Certified?. 18
3.2.1. Why You should Become Certified Now.. 18
3.4. Who Becomes Certified?. 20
3.5. How to Become Certified. 20
3.5.1. Documenting the CAPM eligibility requirements. 21
3.5.2. Continuing Certification requirements (CCR). 21
3.6. When to Become Certified. 22
3.7. Where to Become Certified. 23
3.8. What is the CAPM® Certification. 23
3.9. What is a Certification Blueprint. 24
3.10 CAPM Examination Information. 24
4. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts. 26
4.3. Mapping the Exam Content Outline to the readings. 29
4.4. Task 1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes. 29
4.4.1. Distinguish between a project, program, and a portfolio. 29
4.4.2. Distinguish between a project and operations. 31
4.4.3. Distinguish between predictive and adaptive approaches. 31
4.4.4. Distinguish between issues, risks, assumptions, and constraints. 32
4.4.5. Review/critique project scope. 33
4.4.7. Explain how a project can be a vehicle for change. 34
4.5. Task 2 - Demonstrate an understanding of project management planning. 35
4.5.1. Describe the purpose and importance of cost, quality, risk, schedule, etc. 35
4.5.3. Distinguish differences between a milestone and a task duration. 37
4.5.4. Determine the number and type of resources in a project. 38
4.5.5. Use a risk register in a given situation. 39
4.5.6. Use a stakeholder register in a given situation. 40
4.5.7. Explain project closure and transitions. 41
4.6. Task 3 - Demonstrate an understanding of project roles and responsibilities. 42
4.6.4. Explain the differences between leadership and management. 44
4.6.5. Explain emotional intelligence (EQ) and its impact on project management. 45
4.7.2. Explain project initiation and benefit planning. 46
4.8. Task 5 - Demonstrate an understanding of common problem-solving tools and techniques. 47
4.8.1. Evaluate the effectiveness of a meeting. 47
4.8.2. Explain the purpose of focus groups, standup meetings, brainstorming, etc. 47
4.9. Sample Test Questions on Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts. 48
4.10. Summary of Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts. 50
5. Predictive, Plan based methodologies. 51
5.3. Mapping the Exam Content Outline to the readings. 53
5.4. Task 1 - Explain when it is appropriate to use a predictive, plan-based approach. 54
5.4.2. Determine the activities within each process. 58
5.4.3. Give examples of typical activities within each process. 59
5.4.4. Distinguish the differences between various project components. 67
5.5. Task 2 - Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule. 68
5.5.1. Apply critical path method. 68
5.5.2. Calculate schedule variance. 71
5.5.3. Explain work breakdown structures (WBS). 75
5.5.4. Explain work packages. 76
5.5.5. Apply a quality management plan. 77
5.5.6. Apply an integration management plan. 79
5.6. Task 3 - Determine how to document project controls of predictive, plan-based projects. 80
5.6.1. Identify artifacts that are used in predictive, plan-based projects. 82
5.6.2. Calculate cost and schedule variances. 82
5.7. Sample Test Questions on Predictive, plan based methodologies. 85
5.8. Summary of Predictive, Plan bases methodologies. 87
6. Agile Frameworks/Methodologies. 88
6.3. Mapping the Exam Content Outline to the readings. 93
6.4. Task 1 - Explain when it is appropriate to use an adaptive approach. 94
6.4.1. Compare the pros and cons of adaptive and predictive, plan-based projects. 95
6.5. Task 2 - Determine how to plan project iterations. 99
6.5.1. Distinguish the logical units of iterations. 101
6.5.2. Interpret the pros and cons of the iteration. 103
6.5.3. Translate WBS to an adaptive iteration. 103
6.5.4. Determine inputs for scope. 104
6.6. Task 3 - Determine how to document project controls for an adaptive project. 105
6.6.1. Identify artifacts that are used in adaptive projects. 107
6.7. Task 4 - Explain the components of an adaptive plan. 113
6.8. Task 5 - Determine how to prepare and execute task management steps. 120
6.8.1. Interpret success criteria of an adaptive project management task. 120
6.8.2. Prioritize tasks in adaptive project management. 122
6.9. Sample Test Questions on Agile frameworks/methodologies. 123
6.10. Summary of Agile frameworks/Methodologies. 125
7. Business Analysis Frameworks. 126
7.3 Mapping the Exam Content Outline to the reading. 128
7.3 Brief introduction – Business Analysis Frameworks. 128
7.4 Task 1 - Demonstrate an understanding of business analysis (BA) roles and Responsibilities. 129
7.4.1 Distinguish between stakeholder roles. 131
7.4.2 Outline the need for roles and responsibilities. 132
7.4.2 Differentiate between internal and external roles. 133
7.5 Task 2 - Determine how to conduct stakeholder communication. 133
7.5.1 Recommend the most appropriate communication channel/tool 133
7.5.2 Demonstrate why communication is important for a business analyst. 135
7.7 Task 3 - Determine how to gather requirements. 135
7.7.1 Identify the requirements gathering approach for a situation. 137
7.7.2 Match tools to scenarios. 143
7.7.3 Explain a requirements traceability matrix/product backlog. 144
7.8 Task 4 - Demonstrate an understanding of product roadmaps. 145
7.8.1 Explain the application of a product roadmap. 145
7.8.2 Determine which components go to which releases. 145
7.9 Task 5 - Determine how project methodologies influence business analysis processes. 145
7.10 Task 6 - Validate requirements through product delivery. 146
7.10.1 Define acceptance criteria. 146
7.11 - Sample Test Questions on Business Analysis Frameworks. 147
7.12 - Summary of the Business Analysis Framework domain. 149
8. Full Practice Exam One. 151
8.1. Full Practice Exam One - Questions. 151
8.2. Full Practice Exam One - Answers. 175
9. Full Practice Exam Two. 192
9.1. Full Practice Exam Two - Questions. 192
9.2. Full Practice Exam Two – Answers. 218
Appendix A Introduction to the PMBOK Guide 7th edition. 239
A.1 A System for Value Delivery. 240
A.2 Project Management Principles. 240
A.3 Project Performance Domains. 242
A.5 Model, Methods, Artifacts. 243
Appendix B Introduction to the Agile Practice Guide. 244
B.3 Implementing Agile : Creating an Agile Environment. 245
B.4 Implementing Agile : Delivering in an Agile Environment. 246
B.5 Organizational Considerations for Project Agility. 246
B.6 Annexes and Appendices. 247
Appendix C Introduction to the Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide. 248
Appendix D Introduction to the PMI Guide to Business Analysis. 249
Appendix E PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. 250
E.1 Sample test questions on Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. 255
Biography
Klaus Nielsen, Cambridge (UK) educated and dual MBA (HRM and Technology) holder from the US who has worked in Project, Programs and Portfolio Management for more than 15 years. Mr. Nielsen is the author of Agile Portfolio Management (Routledge, 2022); I Am Agile (2013); Mastering the Business Case (2015), Achieve PMI-PBA® Exam Success (2015); Agile Certified Practitioner Exam (2016) and writer of several industry articles published worldwide. He is the founder of Global Business Development, a PMI Registered Education Provider and agile training provider where he trains and consults to businesses ranging from small start-ups to top 500 companies worldwide. For the last eight years, Klaus has taught part-time at the IT University of Copenhagen as faculty lecture ad is a frequent speaker at events, conferences and tradeshows. Giampaolo Marucci is a Project Management professional currently employed at IBM. He works worldwide for distributed and remote teams committed to modernize clients legacy software application to Devops processes and hybrid cloud architecture. He is an authorized training partner instructor for PMP, DASSM, DASM. He co-authored the book PMBOK Guide, 7th Edition published by the Project Management Institute. Jean-Luc FAVROT is an executive consultant, coach, trainer, and international speaker in the field of agility, innovation, and project management. Currently based in Tahiti, French Polynesia, South Pacific, he travels the world regularly, either virtually or physically. His career path has allowed him to hold responsibilities in large public and private organizations, and to create companies specializing in agile and digital transformation in Europe and Oceania. He is one of the co-authors of the PMBOK Guide 7th edition (development team), and he is currently pursuing his commitment through the contribution to the strategy and content of the PMI Standards+ digital platform.
