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Exam Domains, Tasks, and Enablers
Alright, it’s Joe, your instructor, back again, and this time we’re drilling down into the heart of the PMP exam: the Domains, Tasks, and Enablers! This is where the rubber meets the road, showing you exactly what PMI expects you to do as a project manager.
When you hear “Domains, Tasks, and Enablers,” this typically refers to the structure of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Exam Content Outline (ECO), which defines the content of the PMP® exam.
Remember, the PMP exam is built around the Exam Content Outline (ECO), not just the PMBOK Guide chapters. This ECO details the essential Tasks that a project manager performs and the specific Enablers—examples of the work associated with each task—that demonstrate competence. Let’s break it down!
Domain I: People (42% of Questions)
This domain is all about those crucial soft skills and leadership abilities needed to effectively lead and inspire your project team and stakeholders.
- Task 1: Manage Conflict
- What it means: As a PM, you’ll mediate disagreements and find resolutions.
- Example Enabler: You analyze the root cause of a team dispute over resource allocation.
- Task 2: Lead a Team
- What it means: Setting the vision, inspiring your team, and choosing the right leadership style.
- Example Enabler: You articulate a clear project vision to motivate your team members.
- Task 3: Support Team Performance
- What it means: Ensuring your team performs well, recognizing achievements, and providing feedback.
- Example Enabler: You provide constructive feedback after a sprint review to help a team member improve.
- Task 4: Empower Team Members and Stakeholders
- What it means: Giving your team the authority and autonomy to make decisions.
- Example Enabler: You trust a technical lead to make key architectural decisions for their module.
- Task 5: Ensure Team Members/Stakeholders are Adequately Trained
- What it means: Identifying skill gaps and providing necessary learning opportunities.
- Example Enabler: You arrange a course for your team on a new software tool crucial for the project.
- Task 6: Build a Team
- What it means: Assembling the right mix of skills and personalities, and keeping them engaged.
- Example Enabler: You recruit a diverse group of experts to form a new project task force.
- Task 7: Address and Remove Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers for the Team
- What it means: Clearing the path so your team can work efficiently.
- Example Enabler: You escalate a delay in software procurement to unblock your development team.
- Task 8: Negotiate Project Agreements
- What it means: Reaching mutually agreeable terms with stakeholders and vendors.
- Example Enabler: You discuss scope changes with a client to find a win-win solution.
- Task 9: Collaborate with Stakeholders
- What it means: Working together effectively with everyone involved in the project.
- Example Enabler: You organize a cross-departmental workshop to align on project objectives.
- Task 10: Build Shared Understanding
- What it means: Ensuring everyone is on the same page and communicating transparently.
- Example Enabler: You facilitate a meeting to ensure all stakeholders agree on the project’s critical success factors.
- Task 11: Engage and Support Virtual Teams
- What it means: Managing dispersed teams effectively, bridging cultural and geographical gaps.
- Example Enabler: You set up a regular video conference schedule to maintain engagement with remote team members.
- Task 12: Define Team Ground Rules
- What it means: Establishing clear expectations for how the team will work together.
- Example Enabler: You facilitate a session where the team collectively agrees on communication protocols and meeting etiquette.
- Task 13: Mentor Relevant Stakeholders
- What it means: Guiding and supporting individuals involved in the project.
- Example Enabler: You spend time coaching a new team lead on effective delegation techniques.
- Task 14: Promote Team Performance through the Application of Emotional Intelligence
- What it means: Using awareness of emotions to foster a positive and productive team environment.
- Example Enabler: You recognize signs of stress in a team member and offer support or workload adjustment.
Domain II: Process (50% of Questions)
This is the largest domain, focusing on the technical “how-to” of project management—the methodologies, practices, and activities needed to manage a project effectively.
- Task 1: Execute Project with Urgency Required to Deliver Business Value
- What it means: Focusing on delivering value quickly and efficiently.
- Example Enabler: You prioritize features that provide immediate customer value for the next release.
- Task 2: Manage Communications
- What it means: Planning, executing, and monitoring all project communications.
- Example Enabler: You create a communication plan detailing who gets what information, when, and how.
- Task 3: Assess and Manage Risks
- What it means: Identifying, analyzing, planning responses for, and monitoring project risks.
- Example Enabler: You identify a potential delay in a critical vendor delivery and develop a contingency plan.
- Task 4: Engage Stakeholders
- What it means: Actively involving and managing expectations of all project stakeholders.
- Example Enabler: You regularly meet with key sponsors to ensure their continued support and alignment.
- Task 5: Plan and Manage Budget and Resources
- What it means: Estimating costs, allocating resources, and tracking expenditures.
- Example Enabler: You estimate the labor costs for the next project phase and secure budget approval.
- Task 6: Plan and Manage Schedule
- What it means: Developing, monitoring, and controlling the project timeline.
- Example Enabler: You use a Gantt chart to track task progress and identify potential schedule delays.
- Task 7: Plan and Manage Quality of Products/Deliverables
- What it means: Defining quality standards, performing quality assurance, and controlling quality.
- Example Enabler: You establish acceptance criteria with the client for the final software deliverable.
- Task 8: Plan and Manage Scope
- What it means: Defining what work is included and ensuring only approved changes are made.
- Example Enabler: You break down the high-level project objectives into detailed work packages.
- Task 9: Integrate Project Planning Activities
- What it means: Ensuring all planning efforts (scope, schedule, cost, etc.) work together cohesively.
- Example Enabler: You ensure that the risk management plan is consistent with the project’s schedule and budget.
- Task 10: Manage Project Changes
- What it means: Handling requests for changes to scope, schedule, or cost in a structured way.
- Example Enabler: You submit a scope change request to the Change Control Board for review and approval.
- Task 11: Plan and Manage Procurement
- What it means: Managing external purchases, contracts, and vendor relationships.
- Example Enabler: You draft a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids for a new hardware supplier.
- Task 12: Manage Project Artifacts
- What it means: Organizing and maintaining project documents, logs, and other outputs.
- Example Enabler: You ensure all meeting minutes and decision logs are stored in the project’s central repository.
- Task 13: Determine Appropriate Project Methodology/Methods and Practices
- What it means: Choosing the best approach (agile, waterfall, hybrid) for your specific project.
- Example Enabler: You analyze the project’s high uncertainty and decide to adopt an agile iterative approach.
- Task 14: Establish Project Governance Structure
- What it means: Defining roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes for the project.
- Example Enabler: You define the roles of the steering committee and their decision-making authority.
- Task 15: Manage Project Closure or Transitions
- What it means: Formally closing the project, archiving documents, and transferring deliverables.
- Example Enabler: You conduct a final lessons learned session and archive all project documentation.
Domain III: Business Environment (8% of Questions)
This domain connects your project to the broader organizational and external strategic context, focusing on value delivery and external influences.
- Task 1: Manage Compliance Requirements
- What it means: Ensuring the project adheres to all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.
- Example Enabler: You consult with the legal department to ensure the project design meets data privacy regulations.
- Task 2: Evaluate and Deliver Project Benefits and Value
- What it means: Ensuring the project delivers the intended benefits and contributes value to the organization.
- Example Enabler: You track the post-implementation success metrics to verify the project delivered its anticipated ROI.
- Task 3: Address External Business Environment Changes
- What it means: Monitoring external factors (market, technology, economy) and adapting the project as needed.
- Example Enabler: You analyze a new market trend and recommend a slight pivot in the project’s marketing strategy.
- Task 4: Support Organizational Change
- What it means: Helping the organization adopt the changes introduced by the project.
- Example Enabler: You develop a communication plan to prepare employees for new processes introduced by the project.
There you have it! A comprehensive look at the Domains, Tasks, and Enablers. This level of detail is exactly what you need to master for the PMP exam. Keep this structure in mind as you study!
