Different Audit types inside PMBoK

Let is understand different types of audits. The terminologies are important.

Work performance data, Work performance information and Work performance reports

Let us understand the three project documents namely Work performance data, Work performance information and Work performance reports.

Work performance data is the raw date which is being collected as part of measurements. Data is the output of executing. For example Planned Value, Earned Value and Actual Cost are Work performance data.

Work performance information is the processed data which will be the output of every control processes like control schedule, control cost, etc...For example Schedule Variance, Cost Variance are the Work performance information.

Work performance reports is the report which is used for project communication to stakeholders. The stakeholders are interested in reports and not the data. For example dashboard which indicates the status like Red, Green, Amber are the Work performance reports.

This concept has been introduced from Data-Information-Konwledge-Wisdom (DIKW) model. This is part of ITIL(Information technology Infrastructure Library)syllabus.

Control Quality, Validate Scope and their relationship

Control Quality and Validate Scope are the processes under Monitor and control Process group. Control Quality is part of the Quality Management knowledge area where as Validate Scope is under Scope management knowledge area. Let us see what these processes means.

Control Quality is to check the correctness of the deliverables which is the output of executing. This process is used to check the correctness of the Product. This is like internal testing. One of the technique is Inspection which means Testing, audit, review, walkthrough...If this Inspection is through then we can move towards Validate Scope process.The output of Control Quality process is Verified deliverables.The verified deliverables will be fed as an input to Validate scope process.

Validate scope is formalizing the acceptance of the deliverables. Who is going to accept the deliverable? Yes, Customer. Before calling the Customer we need to check is the deliverable working as per the requirements or not? That is why Control Quality will be performed before Validate Scope process. Validate Scope is something like User Acceptance Testing(UAT). Here too we are having Inspection as one of the techniques. The output of Validate scope is Accepted deliverables. Then we proceed for closing.

PMP® exam is changing in 2015--Update: The PMP exam update has moved to 11 January 2016 to allow all stakeholders adequate time to prepare for this change.

Let me explain the changes that has been made to the PMP examination content outline which will be effective from after Nov 1 2015. The 5 domains which is mapped to 5 process groups Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing remains same. Under these domains some tasks has been added. In total there are 8 tasks has been added.

Domain 1---Initiating the Project

3 tasks added – task 2, task 7, task 8

Domain 2---Planning the Project

1 task added – task 13

Domain 3---Executing the Project

2 tasks added – task 6, task 7

Domain 4---Monitoring and controlling the project

2 tasks added – task 6, task 7

There is no addition of tasks under Closing process group/domain.

Here is the list.

Initiating

# Identify key deliverables based on the business requirements, in order to manage customer expectations and direct the achievement of project goals.

# Conduct benefit analysis with stakeholders (including sponsor, customer, subject matter experts), in order to validate project alignment with organizational strategy and expected business value.

# Inform stakeholders of the approved project charter, in order to ensure common understanding of the key deliverables, milestones, and their roles and responsibilities.

Planning

# Develop the stakeholder management plan by analyzing needs, interests, and potential impact, in order to effectively manage stakeholders' expectations and engage them in project decisions.

Executing

# Manage the flow of information by following the communications plan, in order to keep stakeholders engaged and informed.

# Maintain stakeholder relationships by following the stakeholder management plan, in order to receive continued support and manage expectations.

Monitoring & Controlling

# Capture, analyze, and manage lessons learned using lessons learned management techniques, in order to enable continuous improvement.

# Monitor procurement activities according to the procurement plan, in order to verify compliance with project objectives.

Please refer to the following links to get the details for the information and to find the difference between existing and proposed examination content outline.

http://www.pmi.org/certification/exam-changes/pmp.aspx

http://www.pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pmp-certification-exam-outline.ashx

http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Pr...ons/PMP Examination Content Outline_2010.ashx

The following tables provides the change in the percentage of questions in each of the process group and the changes in the exam content outline from the previous one.

This is latest update from PMI. Update: The PMP exam update has moved to 11 January 2016 to allow all stakeholders adequate time to prepare for this change. The current examination content outline remains till 11th Jan 2016 and the new examination content outline published during June 2015 will be effective from 12 Jan 2016.