200 PMP terms with short definitions

Comprehensive list of 200 PMP terms with short definitions:

A-C

1. Acceptance Criteria – Conditions that must be met before deliverables are accepted
2. Activity – A distinct, scheduled portion of work performed during a project
3. Activity Duration – The time in calendar units between the start and finish of an activity
4. Activity List – A documented tabulation of schedule activities
5. Actual Cost (AC) – The realized cost incurred for work performed on an activity
6. Actual Duration – The time in calendar units between the actual start and finish dates
7. Agile – An iterative approach to project management and software development
8. Analogous Estimating – Using historical data from similar projects to estimate current project parameters
9. Assumption – A factor considered to be true without proof or demonstration
10. Authority – The right to apply project resources and make decisions
11. Backward Pass – A critical path method technique for calculating late start and finish dates
12. Baseline – The approved version of a work product used as a basis for comparison
13. Bottom-up Estimating – Estimating by aggregating estimates of lower-level components
14. Budget – The approved estimate for the project or any work breakdown structure component
15. Budget at Completion (BAC) – The sum of all budgets established for work to be performed
16. Business Case – A documented economic feasibility study used to establish validity of benefits
17. Change Control – A process whereby modifications are identified, documented, and controlled
18. Change Control Board (CCB) – A formally chartered group responsible for reviewing change requests
19. Change Request – A formal proposal to modify any document, deliverable, or baseline
20. Charter – A document that formally authorizes the existence of a project
21. Checklist – A list of items to be noted, checked, or remembered
22. Closing Process Group – Processes performed to formally complete or close a project or phase
23. Code of Accounts – A numbering system used to uniquely identify each component of the WBS
24. Communication Management Plan – A component of the project management plan describing how communications will be planned, structured, and monitored
25. Configuration Management – A collection of procedures to track project artifacts and monitor changes
26. Constraint – A limiting factor that affects the execution of a project
27. Contingency Reserve – Budget within the cost baseline allocated for identified risks
28. Control – Comparing actual performance with planned performance and taking corrective action
29. Control Account – A management control point where scope, budget, and schedule are integrated
30. Cost Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how costs will be planned, structured, and controlled
31. Cost Performance Index (CPI) – A measure of cost efficiency of budgeted resources (EV/AC)
32. Cost Variance (CV) – The amount of budget deficit or surplus at a given point in time (EV-AC)
33. Crashing – A technique used to shorten the schedule duration by adding resources
34. Critical Activity – Any activity on the critical path in a project schedule
35. Critical Chain Method – A schedule method that modifies the project schedule to account for limited resources
36. Critical Path – The sequence of activities that represents the longest path through a project
37. Critical Path Method (CPM) – A method used to estimate minimum project duration and determine schedule flexibility

D-F

38. Decision Tree Analysis – A diagramming technique used to determine the best course of action
39. Decomposition – A technique for dividing project deliverables into smaller, manageable components
40. Defect – An imperfection or deficiency in a project component
41. Deliverable – Any unique and verifiable product, result, or capability to perform a service
42. Dependency – A relationship between two activities or between an activity and a milestone
43. Duration – The total number of work periods required to complete an activity
44. Early Finish Date (EF) – The earliest possible point in time when an activity can finish
45. Early Start Date (ES) – The earliest possible point in time when an activity can begin
46. Earned Value (EV) – The measure of work performed expressed in terms of the budget authorized
47. Earned Value Management (EVM) – A methodology that combines scope, schedule, and resource measurements
48. Effort – The number of labor units required to complete an activity
49. Enterprise Environmental Factors – Conditions not under the control of the project team that influence the project
50. Estimate – A quantitative assessment of the likely amount or outcome
51. Estimate at Completion (EAC) – The expected total cost of completing all work
52. Estimate to Complete (ETC) – The expected cost to finish all remaining project work
53. Executing Process Group – Processes performed to complete the work defined in the project management plan
54. Expert Judgment – Judgment provided based on expertise in an application area
55. Fast Tracking – A schedule compression technique where activities normally done in sequence are performed in parallel
56. Finish-to-Finish (FF) – A logical relationship where a successor activity cannot finish until a predecessor activity has finished
57. Finish-to-Start (FS) – A logical relationship where a successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has finished
58. Float – The amount of time that an activity can be delayed without delaying the project end date
59. Flowchart – A graphical representation of a process showing the relationships among process steps
60. Forward Pass – A critical path method technique for calculating early start and finish dates
61. Free Float – The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any successor
62. Functional Manager – Someone with management authority over an organizational unit
63. Functional Organization – An organizational structure where staff is grouped by areas of specialization

G-L

64. Gantt Chart – A bar chart of schedule information showing start and finish dates
65. Gold Plating – Adding extra functionality or features not required by the scope
66. Ground Rules – A list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors adopted by a project team
67. Hammock Activity – A schedule activity that spans over a segment of a project
68. Histogram – A bar chart showing a distribution of variables
69. Human Resource Management Plan – A component of the project management plan describing how team roles and responsibilities will be assigned
70. Hybrid – A combination of two or more agile and non-agile elements
71. Impact – The positive or negative effect of a risk event
72. Initiating Process Group – Processes performed to define a new project or phase
73. Inspection – Examination of a work product to determine whether it conforms to documented standards
74. Issue – A current condition or situation that may have an impact on the project objectives
75. Issue Log – A project document where information about issues is recorded and monitored
76. Iteration – A timeboxed cycle of development on a product or deliverable
77. Kanban – A visual system for managing work as it moves through a process
78. Kickoff Meeting – A meeting held at the beginning of a project to align expectations
79. Knowledge Area – An identified area of project management defined by its knowledge requirements
80. Lag – The amount of time whereby a successor activity is required to be delayed
81. Late Finish Date (LF) – The latest possible point in time that an activity may be completed
82. Late Start Date (LS) – The latest possible point in time that an activity may begin
83. Lead – The amount of time whereby a successor activity can be advanced
84. Lessons Learned – The knowledge gained during a project which shows how project events were addressed
85. Life Cycle – The series of phases that a project passes through from its initiation to its closure
86. Logic – The collection of activity dependencies that makes up a project schedule network diagram

M-P

87. Management Reserve – An amount of the project budget withheld for management control purposes
88. Matrix Organization – Any organizational structure in which the project manager shares responsibility
89. Milestone – A significant point or event in a project
90. Milestone List – A list identifying all project milestones and indicates whether the milestone is mandatory
91. Monitor – Collect project performance data with respect to a plan
92. Monitoring and Controlling Process Group – Processes required to track, review, and regulate project progress
93. Monte Carlo Simulation – A technique that computes project cost or schedule using simulation
94. Network Diagram – A schematic display of the logical relationships among project activities
95. Node – A point at which dependency lines connect on a schedule network diagram
96. Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) – A hierarchical representation of the project organization
97. Organizational Process Assets – Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to the organization
98. Parametric Estimating – An estimating technique that uses a statistical relationship between historical data
99. Pareto Chart – A histogram ordered by frequency of occurrence
100. Path – A sequence of activities connected by logical relationships
101. Percent Complete – An estimate expressed as a percent of the amount of work that has been completed
102. Performance Measurement Baseline – An integrated scope-schedule-cost baseline used for comparison
103. Phase – A collection of logically related project activities that culminates in completion of deliverables
104. Phase Gate – A review at the end of a phase in which a decision is made to continue to the next phase
105. Planned Value (PV) – The authorized budget assigned to scheduled work
106. Planning Process Group – Processes required to establish the scope of the project and define actions
107. PMBOK Guide – Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide
108. PMI – Project Management Institute
109. PMO – Project Management Office
110. Portfolio – A collection of projects or programs grouped together to facilitate effective management
111. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) – A technique used for constructing a schedule model
112. Predecessor Activity – An activity that logically comes before a dependent activity
113. Preventive Action – An intentional activity that ensures future performance of project work
114. Probability – The likelihood that an event will occur
115. Process – A systematic series of activities directed toward causing an end result
116. Process Group – A logical grouping of project management inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs
117. Procurement Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how procurement processes will be managed
118. Product – An artifact that is produced, is quantifiable, and can be either an end item or a component item
119. Product Scope – The features and functions that characterize a product, service, or result
120. Program – Related projects, subsidiary programs, and program activities managed in a coordinated way
121. Progressive Elaboration – The iterative process of increasing the level of detail in a project management plan
122. Project – A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result
123. Project Calendar – A calendar that identifies working days and shifts available for scheduled activities
124. Project Charter – A document issued by the project initiator that formally authorizes the existence of a project
125. Project Life Cycle – The series of phases that a project passes through from its initiation to its closure
126. Project Management – The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities
127. Project Management Information System (PMIS) – An information system consisting of tools and techniques
128. Project Management Office (PMO) – A management structure that standardizes project-related governance processes
129. Project Management Plan – The document that describes how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled
130. Project Manager – The person assigned by the performing organization to lead the team responsible for achieving project objectives
131. Project Schedule – An output of a schedule model that presents linked activities with planned dates
132. Project Scope – The work performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features
133. Project Scope Statement – The description of the project scope, major deliverables, assumptions, and constraints
134. Projectized Organization – Any organizational structure in which the project manager has full authority

Q-S

135. Quality – The degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements
136. Quality Assurance – The process of auditing quality requirements and results from quality control measurements
137. Quality Control – The process of monitoring and recording results of executing quality activities
138. Quality Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how quality policies will be implemented
139. RACI Chart – A common type of responsibility assignment matrix that uses Responsible, Accountable, Consult, and Inform
140. Requirements – A condition or capability that is required to be present in a product, service, or result
141. Requirements Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how requirements will be analyzed, documented, and managed
142. Requirements Traceability Matrix – A grid that links product requirements from their origin to the deliverables
143. Reserve – A provision in the project management plan to mitigate cost and/or schedule risk
144. Resource – Skilled human resources, equipment, services, supplies, commodities, material, budgets, or funds
145. Resource Calendar – A calendar that identifies the working days and shifts upon which each specific resource is available
146. Resource Histogram – A bar chart showing the amount of time that a resource is scheduled to work
147. Resource Leveling – A technique in which start and finish dates are adjusted based on resource constraints
148. Resource Smoothing – A technique that adjusts the activities of a schedule model such that requirements for resources do not exceed certain predefined limits
149. Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) – A grid that shows the project resources assigned to each work package
150. Risk – An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives
151. Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS) – A hierarchical representation of potential sources of risk
152. Risk Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how risk management activities will be structured
153. Risk Register – A document in which the results of risk analysis and risk response planning are recorded
154. Rolling Wave Planning – An iterative planning technique in which work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail
155. Root Cause Analysis – An analytical technique used to determine the basic underlying reason that causes a variance
156. Schedule – See Project Schedule
157. Schedule Baseline – The approved version of a schedule model that can be changed only through formal change control procedures
158. Schedule Compression – Techniques used to shorten the schedule duration without reducing the project scope
159. Schedule Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that establishes the criteria and activities for developing, monitoring, and controlling the schedule
160. Schedule Network Analysis – The technique of identifying early and late start dates and early and late finish dates
161. Schedule Performance Index (SPI) – A measure of schedule efficiency expressed as the ratio of earned value to planned value
162. Schedule Variance (SV) – A measure of schedule performance expressed as the difference between the earned value and the planned value
163. Scope – The sum of the products, services, and results to be provided as a project
164. Scope Baseline – The approved version of a scope statement, work breakdown structure, and its associated WBS dictionary
165. Scope Creep – The uncontrolled expansion to product or project scope without adjustments to time, cost, and resources
166. Scope Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how the scope will be defined, developed, monitored, controlled, and validated
167. Scrum – An agile framework for developing, delivering, and sustaining complex products
168. Sensitivity Analysis – A quantitative risk analysis technique used to help determine which risks have the most potential impact
169. Slack – See Total Float
170. Sponsor – A person or group who provides resources and support for the project and is accountable for enabling success
171. Sprint – An iteration in Scrum, typically lasting 2-4 weeks
172. Stakeholder – An individual, group, or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision
173. Stakeholder Management Plan – A component of the project management plan that describes how stakeholder engagement will be managed
174. Start-to-Finish (SF) – A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot finish until a predecessor activity has started
175. Start-to-Start (SS) – A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has started
176. Statement of Work (SOW) – A narrative description of products, services, or results to be delivered by the project
177. Successor Activity – A dependent activity that logically comes after another activity in a schedule
178. SWOT Analysis – Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organization, project, or option

T-Z

179. Template – A partially complete document in a predefined format that provides a defined structure
180. Three-Point Estimating – A technique used to estimate cost or duration by applying an average of optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates
181. Threshold – The cost, time, quality, technical, or resource value used as a parameter
182. Time and Material (T&M) – A type of contract that is a hybrid contractual arrangement containing aspects of both cost-reimbursable and fixed-price contracts
183. To-Complete Performance Index (TCPI) – A measure of the cost performance that is required to be achieved
184. Total Float – The amount of time that an activity can be delayed from its early start date without delaying the project finish date
185. Trend Analysis – An analytical technique that uses mathematical models to forecast future outcomes
186. Trigger – An indication that a risk has occurred or is about to occur
187. User Story – A brief description of functionality as experienced by a user
188. Validation – The assurance that a product, service, or result meets the needs of the customer
189. Value Engineering – An approach used to optimize project life cycle costs
190. Variance – A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known baseline
191. Variance Analysis – A technique for determining the cause and degree of difference between the baseline and actual performance
192. Velocity – A measure of a team’s productivity rate at which the deliverables are produced
193. Verification – The evaluation of whether or not a product, service, or result complies with a regulation, requirement, specification, or imposed condition
194. Virtual Team – A group of people with a shared goal who fulfill their roles with little or no time spent meeting face to face
195. Voice of the Customer – A planning technique used to provide products, services, and results that truly reflect customer requirements
196. Waterfall – A traditional project management approach that is linear and sequential
197. What-If Scenario Analysis – The process of evaluating scenarios in order to predict their effect on project objectives
198. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) – A hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team
199. Work Package – The work defined at the lowest level of the work breakdown structure for which cost and duration can be estimated and managed
200. Work Performance Data – The raw observations and measurements identified during activities being performed to carry out the project work

This comprehensive list covers the essential PMP terminology across all knowledge areas and process groups, providing a solid foundation for PMP exam preparation and project management practice.