The PMP(r), Process Chart, is the backbone for the PMBOK(r). Each chapter in the PMBOK (r) expands on a row or Knowledge Area within the Process Chart. This chart is crucial to have memorized before you take your exam.
One of my top tips to pass the exam is to make a Process Chart in the 15 minutes before the exam begins. This will allow you to refer to the chart whenever you need it during your exam.
Here’s a guide on how to create your cheat sheet for your PMP(r).
This article will show you how to memorize and draw the PMP (r) Process Chart in less than 3 minutes.
Step 1: Draw a 6×11 map
First, draw a table using a legal-sized paper.
You might be asking, “Why can’t I practice drawing this on Excel?”
The short answer is that Excel won’t be available during your PMP(r), so you will need to practice using pen and paper. You can adjust the size and font size by drawing it on paper.
Step 2: Create your Knowledge Areas and Process Groups
You will need to write your 5 Process Groups along the top row. These are Initiating (Planning, Executing and Monitoring and Controlling), Closing (Closing), and Planning (Planning, Executing and Monitoring and Controlling).
This rhyme is a quick way to remember it. It matches the first letters in the five Process Groups.
Next, write the 10 knowledge areas in the first column. These are the 10 knowledge areas:
Integration, Scope and Cost, Quality, Time, Quality, Human Resources. Communications. Risk, Procurement. Stakeholders.
Here’s a rhyme that will help you remember the 10 Knowledge Areas quicker:
I Thought Carol Quit Helping Cats Razz Parent Stquirrels
Here are 6 more rhymes to help with memorizing the 10 Knowledge Areas (just for those who didn’t like the above).
Your chart should now look like this:
Step 3: Fill out the corners
Next, fill in the four processes at each corner of this process chart. These are the 4 processes:
Develop Project Charter
Identify stakeholders
Phase or Close Project
Close Procurements
Here’s how your chart should look now:
Step 4: Fill out your “Plan” forms
There are 10 processes that begin with the word “Plan”, and all of them fall under the Planning Process Group. Now, add them to your process chart.
Scope Management Knowledge Area: Plan Scope Management
Plan Schedule Management (from the Time Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Cost Management (from the Cost Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Quality Management (Quality Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Human Resource Management (from the Human Resource Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Communication Management (from Communication Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Risk Management (from the Risk Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Risk Responses (from the Risk Management Knowledge Area).
Plan Procurement (from the Procurement Management Knowledge area)
Plan Stakeholder Management (from Stakeholder Management Knowledge Area).
Here’s how your chart should look now:
Step 5: Fill out your “Estimate”.
Similar to step 4, fill out the “Estimate” processes into the Planning Process Group. For example, Estimate Activity Resources can be filled in at the intersection of Planning Process Group and Time Management Knowledge Area.
Estimate Activity Resources (from the Time Management Knowledge Area).
Estimate Activity Duration (from Time Management Knowledge Area).
Estimate Costs (from Cost Management Knowledge Area).
Step 6: Fill out your “Perform” forms
Next, fill out the 4 processes that begin with the word “Perform.” They do not all belong to the same process group.
Perform Integrated Change Control (from Integration Management Knowledge Area).
Perform Quality Assurance (from the Quality Management Knowledge Area).
Qualitative Risk Analysis (from the Risk Management Knowledge Area).
Perform Quantitative Risk