pmp exam pmbok v4 brain dump-cheat sheet 6 feb 13

Dana Safford, PMP Updated: 6 FEB 13

PMP Virtual Study Group Copyright 2013, Dana Safford, All Rights Reserved

PMP Exam Brain Dump/Cheat Sheet (PMBOK version 4)

Dana Safford, PMP

Updated 6 FEB 13

This document contains the procedure to recreate the good connotation of a Brain Dump/Cheat Sheet that I used

for the PMP test. This version covering the PMBOK v4 contains updates from the earlier versions for the

PMBOK v3 and v2000 tests.

This document includes step-by-step instructions to create each section. The purpose of this document is to help

you to dump this memorized information onto one of the scrap papers prior to starting the exam.

Every time you sit down to study, start by recreating your “Brain Dump/Cheat Sheet”. You’ll see how much

you remember and find that you will remember more each time. I’ll guarantee you that I did well over 50 or 60

trials before I was able to consistently reproduce the page every time. Even when I mastered the page, I still

practiced again for several days before the test (including the morning of the test).

Table of Contents:

Page

Introduction 1

Completed Brain Dump/Cheat Sheet 2

Pneumonics 3

Brain Dump Instructions 4

Tracking Your Marked Question Count 13

The Pneumonics section is there to help you remember the starting letters of the information in the process

matrix. The pneumonics don’t have to make sense. In fact, I find the nonsensical ones easier to remember. You

can come up with whatever pneumonics and tricks work for you.

While I make no guarantees that this will work for you or that there are no errors. I can guarantee that this Brain

Dump worked for me and many others I coached. I hope this helps you find something to work for you.

Good luck!

Dana Safford, PMP

Copyright 2013, Dana Safford, All Rights Reserved



CV = EV – AC AC = ACWP

SV = EV – PV PV = BCWS

CPI = EV / AC EV = BCWP

SPI = EV / PV

BR = AC / EV

EAC = (AC / EV) BAC good

EAC = BAC / CPI good

EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) typ/

CPI cont

ETC = (BAC – EV) typ/cont

CPI

ETC = (BAC – EV) atyp/nocont

EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) atyp/ Nocont

EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) Index

(CPI x SPI) effect

TCPI = (BAC-EV)

(BAC-AC)

EAC = AC+ ETC flaw

VAC = BAC - EAC

CV% = CV / EV x 100

SV% = SV / PV x 100

% Complete = (EV / BAC) x 100

% Spent = (AC / BAC) x 100

3-Point estimate = O + M + P

3

PERT = O + 4M + P

6

SD of Task = P - O

6

SIGMA 1 = 68.26%

2 = 95.46%

3 = 99.73%

6 = 99.99%

PV = FV FV = PV(1 + i)n

(1 + i)n

COMM = N(N - 1)

2

Rough (Magnitude) estimate: -25% -> +75%

Budget estimate: -10% -> +25%

Definitive estimate: - 5% -> +10%

Achievement theory: Motivated by achievement, power, & affiliation

Contingency theory: Motivated by competency, will continue after competency

Expectancy theory: Expectation drives motivation

Hygiene Theory: The work environment – pay, benefits, relationships are dissatisfiers

Herzberg: Motivators are work itself

Maslow: physiological, safety, social, self-esteem, self-actualization

McGregor: X-lazy (sad face) top-down, Y-eager (smiley face) -------

Crosby: Do it right 1st time. “0” defects, Prevention Over Inspection, Price for Non-Conformance, Conformance To Requirements

Deming: 85% management, Plan – Do - Check – Act, SPC – Statistical Process Control

Juran: Trilogy – Q improvement, Q Planning, Q Control || Fitness of work, Qual is not free, Qual circles

Taguchi: Prevention – build quality into product

PG KA

Init Planning Executing Monitoring & Controlling

Closing

Int Mgt

D P Charter

1 D Proj Mgt Plan

D & M Proj Exec

2 M & C Proj Work Perform Int C C

Close P roj/Pha

Scope X

3 Collect Req’s

Def Scope Create WBS

X

2 Ver Scope

Cont Scope X

Time X

5 Def Act Seq Act

Est Act Res Est Act Dur Dev Sched

X Cont Sched X

Cost X 2

Est Cost Dev Bud

X Cont Cost X

Quality X 1

Plan Qual Perf Qual Ass Perf Qual Cont X

HR X 1

Dev H R Plan

3 Acq Proj Team Dev Proj Team Man Proj Team

X X

Comm Id Stakehold 1

Dev Comm Plan 2

Dist Info Man Stakehold

Rep Perf X

Risk X

5 Plan Risk Mgt

Id Risk Perf Qual Anal

Perf Quant Anal Plan Risk Resp

X Mon & Cont Risk X

Procure X 1

Plan Proc

Conduct Proc Admin Proc Close Proc

W S C C F

W S ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑

S ← S R ↑ ↑

C ← R R ↑ ↑

C ← ← ← R ↑

F ← ← ← ← S

Schedule

=Conflict types=

Priorities

Resources

Technical Opinion

=Risks=

Technology

Performance

External

Quality

Organization

Proj Mgt

Scope



Pneumonics:

Process Group: “Syrup of” IPECC

Knowledge Area: I See The Chic Queen Hurl Cake Right Proper

Integration: Did Peter Crash, Did Peter Munch Pickles, Do Maintain Peter’s Emporium, My Can Peter Work, Perhaps I

Change Control, & Close Projects

Scope: Collect Dynamite With Virtual Control

Time: Democrats Sequence Republicans Dutifully During Sunday Chocolate Service

Cost: Everybody Could Bolster Cold Climate Control

Quality: P Q P Q A P Q C

HR: Did His Royal Pants Acquire the Project Team? The Project Terror Manages the Project Team

Comm: I Should Develop Comm Plan Distribution Info. Might Stakeholders Report Please.

Risk: [Vertically do RRQQRR, then] People Really Must Id Risk P Q Anal’s P Q Anal P RR Most Curiously R

Procurement: Please Pick Contract Procurement At Proper Central Points

Conflict types: S=C=PRT

Risk Box: =Risk= Types Probably Equate to Quality Organization Pretty Soon

Conflict Resolution: Withdrawal, Smoothing, Compromising, Confronting, Forcing ||| Stalemate & Resolution

Sources of Power: “=P=REF RaP”

Motivation: All Cake Eaters Help Hold My Macaroons

Quality People: Crosby, Deming, Juran, Taguchi



Part A: Process Group and Knowledge Area Matrix

PG KA Init Plan Exec

Mon & Cont Close

Integ

Scope X X X

Time X X X

Cost X X X

Qual X X

HR X X X

Comm X

Risk X X X

Proc X

Step 1: In the upper right corner of

the sheet, draw a rough 6 column

by 10 row grid.

Step 2: Fill-in the process Group

and Knowledge Area titles. Use

the pneumonics if you need to.

Step 3: Fill in negative space with

X (cells with no processes).

From the top of Closing, drop

down one and ‘X’ 7in a row.

From top of Executing drop

one and ‘X’ 3 in a row, skip 3

in a row, and ‘X’ one more.

In Controlling, there’s only one

X. It’s four up from the bottom

In Initiating, ‘X’ out all except

Integration Mgt &

Communications Mgt.



Step 4:

Let’s get ready to fill-in the processes.

Most of the non-blocked cells will hold a single process. The most multi-entry cells are in the Planning column.

You’ll notice a number in the upper-right corner of the cells in the Planning column and a single cell in each of

the Executing and Controlling columns. These numbers tell you the number of process in that cell. Any cell

without a number or an ‘X’ holds a single process.

PG KA Init Plan Exec

Mon & Cont Close

Integ 1

2

Scope X 3

X 2

X

Time X 5

X

X

Cost X 2

X

X

Qual X 1

X

HR X 1 3

X X

Comm 1 2

X

Risk X 5

X

X

Proc X 1



Step 5:

Fill in the processes.

To help with the first letter for each process, use the pneumonics (from page 3) for each row.

PG KA

Init Planning Executing Monitoring & Controlling

Closing

Int Mgt

D P Charter

1 D P Mgt Plan

D & M Proj Exec

2 M & C Proj Work Perform Int C C

Close P roj/Pha

Scope X

3 Collect Req’s Def Scope Create WBS

X

2 Ver Scope Cont Scope

X

Time X

5 Def Act Seq Act Est Act Res Est Act Dur Dev Sched

X Cont Sched X

Cost X 2

Est Cost Dev Bud

X Cont Cost X

Quality X 1

Plan Qual Perf Qual Ass Perf Qual Cont X

HR X 1

Dev H R Plan

3 Acq Proj Team Dev Proj Team Man Proj Team

X X

Comm Id Stakehold 1

Dev Comm Plan 2

Dist Info Man Stakehold

Rep Perf

X

Risk X

5 Plan Risk Mgt Id Risk Perf Qual Anal Perf Quant Anal Plan Risk Resp

X Mon & Cont Risk X

Procure X 1

Plan Proc

Conduct Proc

Admin Proc Close Proc

You successfully completed the matrix. Now, just practice until you can do it quickly.



Part B: Earned Value Formulas

Step 1: Starting at the upper-left corner of the page, write down each value (Cost Variance, Schedule Variance,

Cost Performance Index, Schedule Performance Index, Burn Rate, Estimate At Completion (6 different

formulas), To Complete Performance Index, Value At Completion, Estimate To Complete). Leave the extra

spaces between some of the values as you see below.

CV

SV

CPI

SPI

BR

EAC

EAC

EAC

ETC

ETC

EAC

EAC

TCPI

EAC

VAC

CV%

SV%

% Complete

%Spent

Step 2: Fill in the equal sign and EV

CV=EV

SV=EV

CPI=EV

SPI=EV

Step 3: Fill in the operands. Two minus (-) and two divide (÷)

CV=EV-

SV=EV-

CPI=EV÷ or /

SPI=EV÷ or /

Step 4: Fill in the last variable. AC, PV, AC, PV

CV=EV-AC

SV=EV-PV

CPI=EV / AC

SPI=EV / PV



Step 5: Because you need to know both ways (old & new) to represent these variables, between the formulas

you just entered and the Process Matrix, enter these:

AC = ACWP

PV = BCWS

EV = BCWP

The AC formula is easy because it has the ‘AC’ in it. The dashed line with the arrows is meant to remind you

that the letter ‘P’ will occur only once in each formula. So, of the remaining two formulas, ‘PV’ cannot have

another ‘P’.

Step 6: Before we start the next group, I need to provide a short explanation. In this group, you’ll see five

versions of the Estimate At Completion (EAC) formula. All these are listed because you don’t know what data

will be provided with any given question. Since all five versions are listed here, you won’t have to do the

algebra (remember the 7th

grade?) required to change the formulas around to fit the question circumstances. You

should expect to see several of these Earned Value questions.

OK, so, below you’ll see the first two versions of the EAC formula are new. They are from Harold Kerzner’s

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, Ninth Edition. As

mentioned above, they are here just in case the data in your question matches the formula. The other three

versions are right out of the PMBOK. They display a ‘good’ label because you use these when the project is

going well.

Note: Version 4 of the PMBOK Guide no longer explicitly describes the Estimate To Completion (ETC)

formulas. Instead, they refer to the ETC concept as an aspect of forecasting. Just in case they are needed,

I chose to leave the ETC formulas on this brain dump. If you choose, you can structure your brain dump

without them.

The EAC and ETC formulas sporting a ‘ntyp/nocont’ notation flags you to use this version when the current

reports are NOT ‘typical’ and future reports are NOT expected to ‘continue’ in the same manner. Similarly, the

EAC and ETC formulas showing a ‘typ/cont’ notation after it identifies this version should be used when the

current reports are ‘typical’ for a project and future reports are expected to ‘continue’ in the same manner. You

use the version labeled ‘flaw’ when the initial estimates are found to be flawed and new estimates are required.

Now let’s enter the formulas. These are different enough that you should just enter the whole formula at once;

but there is a technique (or a flow) to the order of the list. There is a progression of terms through this grouping.

Starting with the BR (Burn Rate) formula, which is AC/EV, you’ll notice that AC/EV is the first group in the 1st

EAC formula. Next notice the BAC term in the 1st EAC formula appears in the 2

nd EAC formula, and ‘/CPI’

term from the 2nd

EAC formula, also appears in the 3rd

EACG formula. You’ll also notice that (BAC – EV) is a

term in the next four formulas either AC or BAC is the first term in this group of formulas. You may notice a

few other progressions.



So now, fill in the forecasting formulas. Make sure you apply the labels correctly. In this typed version of the brain dump,

I could not apply the ‘atyp/nocont’, ‘typ/cont’, and ‘both Indexes Effect’ labels completely on the same line and keep the

formatting clean. You may be able to keep them on the same line as the numerator of the equation.

BR = AC / EV

EAC = (AC / EV) BAC good

EAC = BAC / CPI good

EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) typ/

CPI cont

ETC = (BAC – EV) typ/cont

CPI

ETC = (BAC – EV) atyp/nocont

EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) atyp/ nocont EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) index

(CPI x SPI) effect

TCPI = (BAC – EV)

(BAC – AC)

EAC = AC+ ETC flaw

VAC = BAC - EAC

Step 7: Next fill-in the % Complete formulas.

CV% = CV / EV x 100 SV% = SV / PV x 100 % Complete = (EV / BAC) x 100 % Spent = (AC / BAC) x 100

Part C: Other Formulas

You will see questions that rely on these formulas and thresholds, so they go on the sheet too.

3-Point e(t) = O + M + P

3

PERT = O + 4ML + P 6 SD of Task = P - O 6 SIGMA 1 = 68.26%

2 = 95.46%

3 = 99.73%

6 = 99.99%

PV = FV FV = PV(1 + i)n

(1 + i)n

COMM = N(N - 1)

2

Rough (Magnitude) estimate: -25% -> +75%

Budget estimate: -10% -> +25%

Definitive estimate: - 5% -> +10%



Part D: Conflict Grids

Using the Conflict Type pneumonic, reproduce the ‘Conflict Types’ box. The equal signs on either side of the

word ’Conflict types’ helps to identify it as the title (while allowing the ‘C’ to appear in the middle of the

pneumonic.

I liked the following Conflict Resolution Grid so much, I ‘borrowed’ it from another PMP. I haven’t seen this

elsewhere, but it is supposedly based on reading an excerpt from “Human Factors in Project Management:

Handling Conflict”.

Step 1:

Create a 6 x 6 grid with each Conflict Resolution Scenario as the column and row titles. Remember several of

these have more than one name. For this version, we use – Withdrawal, Smoothing, Compromising,

Confronting, Forcing (Note: the 2 C’s are in alphabetic order)

Step 2:

Now we fill-in the Resolution Outcomes. For this version, we use Stalemate, Resolution (win/win), and arrows

that point toward the winning party (the ‘X’ or the ‘Y’, or the ‘Columns Party’ or the ‘Rows Party’ whichever

you prefer.

Fill-in the Stalemates with an ‘S’. All of these are along the diagonal. Top left 2 and bottom right 1.

W S C C F

W

S

C

C

F

W S C C F

W S

S S

C

C

F S

Schedule

=Conflict Types=

Priorities

Resources

Technical Opinion



Step 3:

Fill in the ‘Resolutions’ in the remainder of the diagonal, then up 1 and left 1, from the center (for a total of 4

Rs).

Step 4: Fill in the rest. Arrows indicate who wins. Everything above the diagonal points up (to the ‘Columns

Party’ as the winner. Everything below the diagonal points left, to the ‘Rows Party’ as the winner.

Part E: Risk Types

Using the Risk Type pneumonic, reproduce the ‘Risk Types’ box. The equal signs on either side of the word

’Risk’ helps to identify it as the title (while allowing the ‘R’ to appear in the middle of the pneumonic.

Part F: Sources of Power

Using the pneumonics, fill-in the ‘Sources Of Power’ box. Note the line at the halfway point.

W S C C F

W S

S S R

C R R

C R

F S

W S C C F

W S ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑

S ← S R ↑ ↑

C ← R R ↑ ↑

C ← ← ← R ↑

F ← ← ← ← S

=Power=

Reward

Expert PMBoK Best

Formal PM Inherent

Penalty

Reward

=Risks=

Technology

Performance

External

Quality

Organization

Proj Mgt

Scope



Part G: Network Diagramming:

Kim Heldman’s networking aide is very helpful. I split it in half and aligned it horizontally to fit, side-by-side,

in the space below the conflict resolution grid.

The aide shows the attributes of each style of diagramming:

The Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) is also called Arrow On Node (AON) and they use ONLY

One Time Estimate.

The Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) is also call Activity On Arrow (AON) and they can use MORE

than one time estimate.

Note: Version 4 of the PMBOK Guide no longer explicitly describes the ADM method. Just in case, I

chose to leave the graphic on this brain dump. If you choose, you can structure your brain dump without

it.



Part H: Motivational & QualityInformation

Step 1: Using the pneumonics, fill-in the first letter of the Motivational and Quality information.

A

C

E

H

H

M

M

-----

C

D

J

T

Step 2

Then go back to each letter and fill in the rest of the line from memory.

Achievement theory: Motivated by achievement, power, & affiliation

Contingency theory: Motivated by competency, will continue after competency

Expectancy theory: Expectation drives motivation

Hygiene Theory: The work environment – pay, benefits, relationships are dissatisfiers

Herzberg: Motivators are work itself

Maslow: physiological, safety, social, self-esteem, self-actualization

McGregor: X-lazy (sad face) top-down, Y-eager (smiley face)

-------

Crosby: Do it right 1st time. “0” defects, Prevention Over Inspection, Price for Non-Conformance, Conformance To

Requirements

Deming: 85% management, Plan – Do - Check – Act, SPC – Statistical Process Control

Juran: Trilogy – Q improvement, Q Planning, Q Control || Fitness of work, Qual is not free, Qual circles,

Taguchi: Prevention – build quality into product,



Tracking Your Marked Question Count:

Step 1: At the top-left corner of another sheet of blank scratch paper, write a ‘2’, then draw a

horizontal line about half an inch or so down from the top.

Step 2: Below the line you just drew, write a ‘3’, then draw another horizontal line about

half an inch or so down from the first line.

Step 3: Continue with the number ‘4’ and finish with another horizontal line. The whole

thing should only take-up about 2 inches or so.

Step 4: In the upper right-hand corner write the number ‘69’.

OK, so why do this? The technique below allows you to approximate how many responses you think you have a

good chance of getting correct and how many you may not (or are unsure about). From your studies, you know

you must correctly answer 106 of 175 ‘real’ questions and 25 questions are ‘trial’ questions; for a total of 200

questions. The problem is you have no way of knowing the trial questions from the real ones. So, in effect you

need to be VERY sure of your answers for at least 131 questions (106 + 25) and be unsure of a maximum of 69

questions (200 - 131).

Here’s how you keep track.

As you know, the test allows you to mark questions you are unsure about and, if there’s time, go back to them.

To mark a question, you place a check mark in a box in the upper-right corner of the question screen. The test

engine can display a list of all your ‘marked’ questions. To go back to a question, you click its number in the

list.

OK, so which questions do you go back to and attempt to improve your score? Here’s a good method to select

the questions to review. Each question has four possible answers. Normally, one is obviously wrong. However,

the rest of them may be partially correct. You need to select the answer that is the most correct in the manner

that the PMI wants. It is not always easy. Here’s what to do when you are not sure.

When you come to a question that you have no clue whether any of the 4 answers is correct, select your best

guess. There’s a 25% chance you’ll get it right. Next, check that marking box in the upper-right corner of the

screen and (with your pencil) add the question number (and a comma) in the area of the scratch paper you just

created labeled ‘4’, then move on to the next question.

When you come to a question where you can definitely eliminate one answer, but can’t determine the best

choice from the remaining three, select your best guess. There’s a 33% chance you’ll get it right. Next, check

that marking box in the upper-right corner of the screen and (with your pencil) add the question number (and a

comma) in the area of the scratch paper you just created labeled ‘3’, then move on to the next question.

Similarly, when you come to a question where you can definitely eliminate two answers, but can’t determine

the best choice from the remaining two, select your best guess. There’s a 50% chance you’ll get it right. Next,

check that marking box in the upper-right corner of the screen and (with your pencil) add the question number

(and a comma) in the area of the scrap paper you just created labeled ‘2’, then move on to the next question.

There is no need to mark questions you are pretty sure you selected the correct answer.

Keep on going until you finish all 200 questions. Now count the number of entries in those numbered rows on

the scratch paper. This is the number of questions you are unsure about. Remember that ‘69’ you placed in the

upper-right corner of the scratch paper? Compare your number of unsure responses to the ‘69’. To give

yourself a buffer, you want to be as far below 69 as you can.

2

3

4

69



To improve your chances, you’ll need to go back and look at those marked questions. Start with the ones listed

on the ‘2’ line. Reference the question numbers from the ‘2’ row one-at-a-time and use the marked question list

on the screen to select the question. Attempt to validate that you selected the correct answer. That will improve

your chances of validating you already have the most correct answer selected. If you can remove a question

number from the ‘2’ row, or “elevate” a question from the ‘4’ row to the ‘3’ row, great! Instead of erasing the

question number from the sheet, just draw a line through it (you might have time to go back to it again). For the

‘2’ row only, don’t forget to decrease the total number of unsure questions.

When you finish the ‘2’ row, start on the ‘3’ row. Reference the question numbers one-at-a-time and use the

marked question list on the screen to select the question. Attempt to eliminate the most wrong of the two

remaining potential correct answers.

If there is time, continue on to the ‘4’ row. Reference the question numbers one-at-a-time and use the marked

question list on the screen to select the question. Attempt to eliminate the most wrong of the three answers. If

there is time, continue until diminishing returns sets in and you find you are not changing anything. Unless you

can totally remove the question from unsure rows 3 & 4, don’t decrement you unsure question count.

Remember, you want that unsure question count to be as low as possible.

pmp exam pmbok v4 brain dump-cheat sheet 6 feb 13

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