A short presentation with a few tips & tricks for the PMP and ACP exams.

1. And more Tips and Tricks
for PMP and ACP Exams
Martin R. Bailey, PMP, ACP, CSM
MartinRBailey@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/martinrbailey

2.  This deck is meant to help you with the
exams
 It is not meant to help you learn to be a
Project Manager or Agile Practitioner
 You should have already viewed the
presentation “Logic of Formulas”

3. Not
Except
Every
All
Always
Never

4. All of the above
None of the above
Which ones (A & C or A & B & D
Not enough information
Sometimes “All of the Above” and “None of the above” are
correct choices, sometimes they aren’t
Choices of “which ones” require you to
read all the answers
“Not enough information” is not always true

5. You are a project manager on a large military contract that involves
7 subcontractor companies and a total of 1,253 team members,
752 stakeholders and sponsors, and 14 project managers
(including you). You need to get a handle on the communications
channels, because otherwise your project will devolve into chaos.
How many potential channels of communication are there on this
project?
A. 2019
B. 91
C. 2,037,171
D. No way to determine
As explained in Logic of Formulas you can determine the answer.
All you need is N.
“no way to determine” is meant to throw you off.

6.  Because the sky is blue….
 That reason is as good as any if you have no
idea what the real answer is.
 Be sure to answer all questions, no matter
what. Mark it for review and go back to it
later

7. Which of the following cumulative measures indicates
that your project is about 9% under budget.
A. The cumulative AC was 100, and the cumulative EV was 110.
B. The cumulative PV was 100, and the cumulative AC was 110.
C. The cumulative AC was 110, and the cumulative EV was 100.
D. The cumulative EV was 100, and the cumulative PV was 110.
 Budget is related to COST
 AC is Actual Cost
 So the answer must have AC in it
 You could guess either A or C and have a 50/50 chance
if you didn’t know the “Logic of Formulas” trick

8.  What do you do if you can’t make
 any sense of the question?
 You are the project manager for a project where your team must
travel to the work site by foot. The walk is 100 miles, and is the
first task on the project schedule. The total amount budgeted for
this task is $4,000. If the team is scheduled to walk 20 miles per
day, they should reach the work site at the end of day 5. At the
end of the second day, you realize the team has only traveled 30
miles, and you have spent $2,000. Based on this, what is the SPI
for your project, and the projected TCPI?
a) 0.8, 1.4
b) 0.75, 1.4
c) 0.75, 1.2
d) Cannot be determined with the given information

9.  If you really can’t determine at all, even
 after breaking down the question … try this.
 You are the project manager for a project where your team must
travel to the work site by foot. The walk is 100 miles, and is the
first task on the project schedule. The total amount budgeted for
this task is $4,000. If the team is scheduled to walk 20 miles per
day, they should reach the work site at the end of day 5. At the
end of the second day, you realize the team has only traveled 30
miles, and you have spent $2,000. Based on this, what is the SPI
for your project, and the projected TCPI?
a) 0.8, 1.4
b) 0.75, 1.4
c) 0.75, 1.2
d) Cannot be determined with the given information

10.  Examine the answers
a) 0.8, 1.4
b) 0.75, 1.4
c) 0.75, 1.2
d) Cannot be determined with the given information
 Assume that D is not a valid answer
 Then examine the remaining answers

11.  Look for commonality in answers
 b is the answer where values overlap
 So b might be the correct answer
 (and it is)

12.  SMART
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realisable
Traceable
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realisable
Time bound

13.  DOWNTIME or WIDETOM
Defects
Overproduction
Waste
Not utilizing talent
Transportation
Inventory
Motion
Extra processing
Waste
Inventory
Defects
Extra processing
Transportation
Overproduction
Motion
Types of waste

14.  INVEST

15.  TDD – Test Driven Development
◦ repeats until the testers can no longer find tests that
fail.
 focuses on “building the code right”
 ATDD – Acceptance Test Driven Development
◦ focusses on “building the right code”
 Four stages Discuss, Distill, Develop & Demo

16. MoSCoW
◦ Must have
◦ Should have
◦ Could Have
◦ Won’t have or Want

18.  XP is known for pair programming
 An easy way to remember is
◦ eXtra Programmer

19.  Definition of mnemonic
◦ assisting or intended to assist memory
◦ Example:To distinguish "principal" from "principle"
use the mnemonic aid "the principal is your pal.“
 Come up with your own mnemonics
◦ Anything that can help

20.  Take several practice tests from
several different sources
 The first couple of tests should report your
weak area as well as explain the correct
answers.
 Once you get on several timed complete tests
you should be ready.

21.  It is a last minute review
 You can organize ITTO so that
you can refer to it if needed.
 It is a reference for other items
 It will help you calm down

22.  I hope this is short PPT is helpful
 More coming soon
 Comments and Feedback appreciated
Martin R. Bailey, PMP, ACP, CSM
MartinRBailey@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/martinrbailey