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Official specifications published by PMI
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PMI-SP Exam Topics and Domains
PMI-SP is organized into 5 weighted domains.
Schedule Strategy
Project Schedule Configuration Management
Establish project schedule configuration management policies and procedures incorporating best practices, regulations, governing standards and organization policies, and procedures to ensure accessibility, storage, retrieval, maintenance, change control, and baseline schedule control
Schedule Approach Development
Develop schedule approach, based on the unique characteristics of the project, including enterprise environmental factors and organizational process assets, in order to define schedule requirements
Scheduling Policies and Procedures
Establish scheduling policies and procedures regarding methodology, selection of a scheduling tool, scheduling parameters, performance thresholds, activity granularity, presentation format, earned value management (EVM) implementation, analysis techniques, and approval requirements by using resources such as organizational process assets and project documents in order to develop the schedule management plan and standardize operational procedures
Project Management Plan Integration
Develop the scheduling-related components for project management plans (for example, integration, scope, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, and procurement management), through review of contract requirements, in order to integrate scheduling activities into the overall project management process
Stakeholder Communication and Education
Provide information about project scheduling objectives and goals, the role of the scheduler, and scheduling procedures to project team members to facilitate effective participation in the project
Schedule Planning and Development
Work Breakdown Structure Development
Develop the work breakdown structure (WBS), organizational breakdown structure (OBS), control accounts (CA), and work packages through communication with subject matter experts and stakeholders and analysis of the contractual commitments in order to ensure completion of the project scope
Activity and Milestone Definition
Define activities and milestones through communication with subject matter experts, decomposition, and application of scheduling policies and procedures to identify and document the work to be performed
Activity Duration Estimation
Estimate activity durations, utilizing subject matter experts and scheduling techniques such as three-point estimate, parametric, analogous and/or Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) in order to develop an overall schedule model
Activity Sequencing
Sequence activities, incorporating defined dependencies (internal, external, and cross programs) milestones, and constraints (for example, calendars, geography, contracts), in order to develop a logical, dynamic schedule model
Critical Path Identification
Identify critical and near-critical path(s) using techniques such as Critical Path Method, Critical Chain, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), and Monte Carlo simulation in order to meet project delivery date requirements
Resource Planning and Assignment
Develop the project resource breakdown structure (RBS), determine resource availability, and assign resources to activities by working with functional managers, project managers, and project team members in order to define the resource constrained schedule
Schedule Model Adjustment
Adjust schedule model based upon resource availability, available budget, and other known constraints in order to calculate the resource constrained schedule
Program Plan Alignment
Align schedule with the overall program plan or integrated master plan (IMP), through review of enterprise objectives and contract documentation, in order to ensure accomplishment of overall program objectives
Milestone Analysis
Analyze major milestones against statement of work (SOW), the contract, and/or memorandum of understanding, to assess whether schedule model delivery estimates meet required deadlines
Schedule Risk Analysis
Perform schedule risk analysis using quantitative tools or techniques (for example, what-if scenarios, Monte Carlo simulation) in order to determine if project milestone dates are achievable within acceptable risk tolerances
Baseline Schedule Establishment
- Obtain a consensus of the project customer, sponsor, project manager, and project team members, in order to establish an approved baseline schedule
- Establish the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB), using organizational processes and standard techniques, in order to enable performance measurement and management
Schedule Monitoring and Controlling
Activity Status Collection
Collect activity status at defined intervals from activity owners via reports, meetings, inspections, or other standard procedures in order to update and review the project progress
Resource Information Collection
Collect resource information and updates via reports, timesheets, meetings, inspections, or other standard procedures in order to report on resource utilization and availability
Schedule Analysis and Audit
Perform schedule analysis and audit, on in-house and subcontractor schedules, using industry standards, guidelines and best practices in order to identify and report project schedule, status, changes, impacts or issues
Alternative Execution Options
Identify alternative project execution options, using tools and techniques such as what-if scenario analyses, in order to optimize the schedule
Risk Mitigation Integration
Incorporate approved risk mitigation activities into the schedule, by utilizing defined change control processes, in order to establish a new performance measurement baseline (PMB)
Schedule Model Updates
Update the schedule model and document schedule baseline changes, received through formal change-control processes, in order to maintain an accurate schedule and facilitate forensic schedule analysis, if required
Schedule Closeout
Final Schedule Acceptance
Obtain final acceptance of the contractual schedule components, by working with sponsor and/or customer, in order to facilitate project closeout
Schedule Performance Evaluation
Evaluate final schedule performance against baseline schedule, scheduling approach and the implementation, using standard scheduling tools and techniques, including solicitation of feedback from stakeholders, in order to identify lessons learned and develop best practices
Organizational Process Assets Update
Update the organizational process assets, through documentation of identified lessons learned and best practices, in order to improve business processes
Final Schedule Reporting
Distribute final schedule reports, including earned value management (EVM) calculations and variance analysis, to stakeholders in order to facilitate project closeout
Schedule Archive
Archive schedule files (for example, final schedule model, schedule management plan, periodic status reports, schedule change log), as per defined procedures in order to satisfy contractual requirements and prepare for potential forensic schedule analysis
Stakeholder Communications Management
Stakeholder Relationship Development
Develop and foster relationships with project stakeholders, consistent with the communication management plan, in order to enhance support for the project schedule
Schedule Visibility Management
Generate and maintain visibility of project schedule, by working with the project manager and/or stakeholders, in order to maintain stakeholder support
Schedule Status Communication
Provide senior management and other stakeholders with verbal and written schedule status updates and impact on schedule of corrective actions, as defined by the communication management plan, in order to maintain stakeholder awareness
Schedule Issue Communication
Communicate schedule issues that could impact delivery of project scope or adherence to the schedule management plan, in order to elevate awareness to relevant stakeholders
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PMI-SP earns the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification. It sits in the Project Scheduling Specialist track.
Practice with Precision
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How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for PMI-SP is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2012
- Scheduling Software Exam is tool-agnostic but emphasizes scheduling principles applicable across platforms
- Agile and Hybrid Scheduling While PMI-SP focuses on traditional scheduling, understanding hybrid approaches is increasingly important
- Earned Value Management Critical component of PMI-SP exam, especially in monitoring and controlling domain
Who should take this exam?
- Experience developing and maintaining project schedules
- Familiarity with scheduling software (e.g., Microsoft Project)
- Understanding of PMI standards and practices