How do you memorize 49 PMP processes ?

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP


Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is all about conceptual and experience based knowledge. It is organized by Project Management Institute (PMI)which has worked so hard to establish a golden standard of PMP in the project management field. The eligibility criteria of this certification exam is also of high level. The PMP exam is considered as one of the toughest certification exams and the candidates look out for techniques to easily cover up the topics with utmost clarity and to remember most of the concepts so that they can crack the PMP exam with a bit ease atleast.

The ultimate coach – PMBOK Guide

The syllabus of PMP Certification exam is based on theoretical ( project management concepts, chapters, terminologies ) as well as practical ( based on work and hands on experience of leading projects ) knowledge of project management. For preparation of PMP Certification exam you must go through the PMBOK Guide - Project Management Book of Knowledge (latest edition) which contains the 10 knowledge areas and 49 PMP processes. The PMP processes are backbone of project management and that’s why learning these processes is really important from exam and growth of your knowledge perspective.

Don’t try to mug up the processes

It’s practically impossible to memorize all the PMP processes but by hook or by crook you have to memorize all the processes as it is. It is essential to do so and you have to do it. There is no need to know all the ITTOs( inputs, tools, techniques and outputs) for the PMP exam. Knowing all the processes would help you to answer the ITTO questions which cover huge portion of the question paper. There are 49 PMP processes and on an average there are 10 ITTOs per process which would approximately make it around 500 ITTOs.

With the long list of PMP processes, PMI’s intention is not to test your memory whether you can remember every ITTO from these 49 processes but it wants to examine your knowledge and understanding of any particular process. You should understand each process and also know what can be accomplished through these processes, how are the steps of the processes related to each other and also their application. Application is very important as the way you answer the question will depend on whether you know how and when to use which process and in which situation.

how do you memorize 49 pmp processes

Understand the 49 PMP Processes

The best way to memorize these PMP processes is by understanding the data flow diagram of each and every process. This can be done by making a PMP Process Chart which would help you to memorize these 49 PMP Processes of PMBOK Guide by using logic and pattern. You need to learn how to prepare this chart and it will hardly take your 15 minutes if you make it with full concentration and understanding the pattern along with the logic behind every step. So let’s learn how to make this chart:

Step 1 : Draw a chart of dimensions 6x11.

Start by drawing a table comprising of 6 columns and 11 rows on a sheet of paper.

Step 2: Write down the 5 process groups and the 10 knowledge areas.

In the top row write down the 5 process groups: Initiating, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing. Then along the first column write the 10 Knowledge areas:

Integration, Time, Scope, Quality, Human Resources, Communications, Cost, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholders

Step 3: Now it’s time to fill the corners.

Fill in the below mentioned processes in the 4 corners:

  • Develop Project Charter.
  • Identify the Stakeholders.
  • Close Phase or Project.
  • Close Procurement.

Step 4: Fill in the ‘plan’ning processes.

There are 10 processes which fall under this category because they start with the word ‘plan’.

Step 5: Fill in the control processes.

Just like plan processes, add the control processes that each knowledge area has excluding human resources as we don’t control it instead manage it and so it comes under manage team processes.

Step 6: Fill in the executing processes.

3 of the executing processes are to be filled next to Human resource management.

Step 7: Complete the planning process group.

Add the remaining processes as per your understanding as they are easily understandable to enter in the respective fields.

For your clarification :

  • Under initiating process group column there are 2 processes.
  • Under planning process group column there are 26 processes.
  • Under executing process group column there are 8 processes.
  • Under monitoring and controlling process group column there are 11 processes.
  • Under closing process group column there are 2 processes.

Practice a lot

Practice preparing this chart at least twice the day before your PMP exam and you would not forget it at any cost. Trying to memorize 49 PMP processes present in PMBOK Guide is not feasible as there are many other things out there which you need to remember and understand. So it is better to understand the logic and idea behind all the ITTOs of the PMP processes which would help you out during exam. The best part of the chart is that when you prepare it, an image of the chart is created in your mind which can be visualized by closing your eyes during the exam. Hope the above helped you understand in topic in details.

The Author : Learning Mudra


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