PMBOK Key Terms & Definitions

These flashcards summarize key terms and definitions from the PMBOK guide to aid in exam preparation.

Acceptance Criteria

A set of conditions that is required to be met before deliverables are accepted.

Accuracy

Within the quality management system, accuracy is an assessment of correctness.

Activity List

A documented tabulation of schedule activities that shows the activity description and identifier.

Actual Cost (AC)

The realized cost incurred for the work performed on an activity during a specific time period.

Adaptive Approach

A development approach where requirements are likely to change throughout the project.

Affinity Diagram

A diagram that groups large numbers of ideas for review and analysis.

Agile

Describes a mindset of values and principles as set forth in the Agile Manifesto.

Ambiguity

A state of being unclear, having multiple options from which to choose.

Analogous Estimating

Method for estimating durations or costs using historical data from similar projects.

Artifact

A template, document, output, or project deliverable.

Assumption

A factor in planning considered to be true without proof or demonstration.

Backlog

An ordered list of work to be done.

Baseline

The approved version of a work product used for comparison to actual results.

Benefits Management Plan

Documented explanation defining processes for creating, maximizing, and sustaining benefits.

Change Control

A process for managing modifications to project documents or deliverables.

Communication Management Plan

A component of planning that describes how project information will be administered.

Constraint

A limiting factor that affects project execution.

Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD)

A chart indicating features completed over time and developmental states.

Daily Standup

A daily meeting where the team reviews progress and identifies obstacles.

Deliverable

Any unique product, result, or service required to complete a project.

Dependency

A logical relationship between two project activities.

Earned Value (EV)

Measure of work performed expressed as the budget authorized.

Gantt Chart

A bar chart that visually represents schedule information.

Kanban Board

A visualization tool showing the team's work in progress.

Milestone

A significant point or event in a project.

Risk

An uncertain event that can positively or negatively affect project objectives.

Stakeholder

An individual or group affected by a decision or outcome of a project.

Value Proposition

The value a product or service provides to its customers.

Variance

A quantifiable deviation from a known baseline.

Velocity

A measure of a team’s productivity rate for deliverables within a predefined interval.