CAPM Vocab 2026 and prep
A guide to the project management body of knowledge - correct answersThe PMI publication that
defines widely accepted project management practices. The CAPM and the PMP exam are based on this
book
Application areas - correct answersthe areas of expertise, industry, or function where a project is
centered. Examples of application areas include architecture, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - correct answersA person who has slightly less
project management experience than a PMP, but who has qualified for and then passed the CAPM
examination
Cultural and social environment - correct answersDefines how a project affects people and how those
people may affect the project. Cultural and social environments include the economic, educational,
ethical, religious, demographic, and ethnic composition of the people affected by the project.
General management skills - correct answersthese include the application of accounting, procurement,
sales and marketing, contracting, manufacturing, logistics, strategic planning, human resources
management, standards and regulations and information technology
International and political environment - correct answersthe consideration of the local and international
laws, languages, communication challenges, time zone differences, and other non-collocated issues that
affect a project's ability to progress
Interpersonal skills - correct answersthe ability to interact, lead, motivate, and manage people
Iron Triangle of Project Management - correct answersa triangle with the characteristics of time, cost,
and scope. Time, cost, and scope each constitute one side of the triangle; if any side of the Iron Triangle
is not in balance with the other sides, the project will suffer. The Iron Triangle of Project Management is
also known as the "Triple Constraints of Project Management, as all projects are constrained by
time,cost, and scope
Physical Environment - correct answersthe physical structure and surroundings that affect a project's
work
Program - correct answersa collection of related projects working in unison toward a common
deliverable
Progressive elaboration - correct answersthe process of gathering project details. This process uses
deductive reasoning, logic, and a series of information-gathering techniques to identify details about a
project, product, or solution
Project - correct answersa temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service, or result. The end-
result of a project is also called a deliverable
,Project environment - correct answersthe location and culture of the environment where the project
work will reside. The project environment includes the social, economic, and environmental variables
the project must work with or around
Project Management Institute (PMI) - correct answersan organization of project management
professionals from around the world, supporting and promoting the careers, values, and concerns of
project managers
Project Management Professional (PMP) - correct answersa person who has proven project
management experience and has qualified for and then passed the PMP examination
Project portfolio management - correct answersthe management and selection of projects that support
an organization's vision and mission. It is the balance of project priority, risk, reward, and return on
investment. This is a senior mangement process
Subprojects - correct answersa smaller project managed within a larger, parent project. Subprojects are
often contracted work whose deliverable allows the larger project to progress
Triple Constraints of Project Management - correct answersAlso known as the Iron Triangle. This theory
posits that time, cost, and scope are three constraints that every project has.
Adaptive life cycle - correct answersthis is a project life cycle that anticipates many changes to the
project scope and demands highly involved project stakeholders. Because change happens often,
change control is managed tightly by the project manager. This approach is also known as the agile
project management methodology
balanced matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled
into one project team, but the functional managers and the project managers share the project power
composite structure - correct answersan organization that creates a blend of the functional, matrix, and
projectized structures
customer / user - correct answersthe person(s) who will pay for and use the project's deliverables
deliverable - correct answersa verifiable, measurable product or service created by a phase and/or a
project
functional structture - correct answersan organization that is divided into functions, and each employee
has one clear functional manager. Each department acts independently of the other departments. A
project manager in this strucutre has little to no power and may be called a project coordinater
influencers - correct answerspersons who can positively or negatively influence a project's ongoing
activities and/or the project's likelihood of success
kill point - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. A kill
point signals an opportunity to kill the porject if it should not continue
,negative stakeholder - correct answersa stakeholder who does not want a project to succeed. He or she
may try to negatively influence the project and help it fail
performing organization - correct answersthe organization whose employees or members are most
directly involved in the project work
phase - correct answersthe logical division of a project based on work or deliverable completed within
that phase. Common examples include the phases within construction, software development, or
manufacturing
phase exit - correct answersthe review of phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. It
signals the exiting of one phase and the entering of another
phase gate - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. Like
a phase exit, a phase gate shows the qualifications to move from one phase to another
phase-end review - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its
requirements. A phase-end review is also called a phase exit, a phase gate, and a kill point
postive stakeholder - correct answersa stakeholder who wants a project to exist and succeed. He or she
may try to positively influence the project and help it succeed.
predictive life cycle - correct answersa predictive life cycle, also called a plan-driven approach, is a life
cycle that "predicts" the work that will happen in each phase of the project. The project plan, time, cost,
and scope are defined early in the project and predict what is to happen in the project
product life cycle - correct answersthe life cycle of the product a project creates. For example, a project
can create a piece of software; the software then has its own life cycle until it becomes defunct
project life cycle - correct answersthe collection of phases fro the start of a project to its completion
project management office (PMO) - correct answersa business unit that centralizes the operations and
procedures of all projects within the organization. The PMO supports the project manager through
software, templates, and administrative support. A PMO can exist in any organizational structure, but it
is most common in matrix and projectized structures
Project management systems - correct answersthe defined set of rules, policies, and procedures that a
project manager follows and utilizes to complete the project
project stakeholder - correct answersanyone who has a vested interest in a project's operation and/or
its outcome
projectized structure - correct answersan organization that assigns a project team to one project for the
duration of the project life cycle. The project manager has high-to-almost-complete project power
strong matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled into
one project team, but the functional managers have lass project power than the project manager
, weak matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled into
one project team, but the functional managers have more project power than the project manager
assumption - correct answersa belief that may or may not be true within a project. Weather is an
example of an assumption in construction projects
change request - correct answersa documented request to add to or remove from the project scope. A
change request may be initiated to change an organizational process asset, such as a template or a form.
closing process group - correct answersthe project management process group contains the activities to
close out a project and project contracts
constraint - correct answersa condition, rule, or procedure that restricts a project manager's options. A
project deadline is an example of a constraint
corrective action - correct answersA corrective action brings project work back into alignment with the
project plan. A corrective action may also address a process that is producing errors
defect repair - correct answersthe activity to repair a defect within the project
Deming's PDCA cycle - correct answersstandard project management is based on Deming's plan-do-
check-act cycle, which describes the logical progression of project management duties
enterprise environmental factors - correct answersAny external or internal organizational factors that
can affect project success. Enterprise environmental factors include the culture, organizational
structure, resources and commercial databases the project will use, market conditions, and your project
management software
executing process group - correct answersthe project management process group that provides the
activities to carry out the project management plan to compete the project work
initiating process group - correct answersthe project management process group that allows a project to
be chartered and authorized
issue log - correct answersa record of the issue, its characteristics, the issue owner, and a target date for
resolving the issue
manage project team - correct answersthe project manager must, according to enterprise
environmental factors, manage the project team to ensure that they are completing their work
assignments with quality and according to plan
manage stakeholder expectations - correct answersthis process is based on what the stakeholders
expect from the project and on project communications from the project manager
monitoring and controlling process group - correct answersthe project management process group
oversees, measures, and tracks project performance
A guide to the project management body of knowledge - correct answersThe PMI publication that
defines widely accepted project management practices. The CAPM and the PMP exam are based on this
book
Application areas - correct answersthe areas of expertise, industry, or function where a project is
centered. Examples of application areas include architecture, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - correct answersA person who has slightly less
project management experience than a PMP, but who has qualified for and then passed the CAPM
examination
Cultural and social environment - correct answersDefines how a project affects people and how those
people may affect the project. Cultural and social environments include the economic, educational,
ethical, religious, demographic, and ethnic composition of the people affected by the project.
General management skills - correct answersthese include the application of accounting, procurement,
sales and marketing, contracting, manufacturing, logistics, strategic planning, human resources
management, standards and regulations and information technology
International and political environment - correct answersthe consideration of the local and international
laws, languages, communication challenges, time zone differences, and other non-collocated issues that
affect a project's ability to progress
Interpersonal skills - correct answersthe ability to interact, lead, motivate, and manage people
Iron Triangle of Project Management - correct answersa triangle with the characteristics of time, cost,
and scope. Time, cost, and scope each constitute one side of the triangle; if any side of the Iron Triangle
is not in balance with the other sides, the project will suffer. The Iron Triangle of Project Management is
also known as the "Triple Constraints of Project Management, as all projects are constrained by
time,cost, and scope
Physical Environment - correct answersthe physical structure and surroundings that affect a project's
work
Program - correct answersa collection of related projects working in unison toward a common
deliverable
Progressive elaboration - correct answersthe process of gathering project details. This process uses
deductive reasoning, logic, and a series of information-gathering techniques to identify details about a
project, product, or solution
Project - correct answersa temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service, or result. The end-
result of a project is also called a deliverable
,Project environment - correct answersthe location and culture of the environment where the project
work will reside. The project environment includes the social, economic, and environmental variables
the project must work with or around
Project Management Institute (PMI) - correct answersan organization of project management
professionals from around the world, supporting and promoting the careers, values, and concerns of
project managers
Project Management Professional (PMP) - correct answersa person who has proven project
management experience and has qualified for and then passed the PMP examination
Project portfolio management - correct answersthe management and selection of projects that support
an organization's vision and mission. It is the balance of project priority, risk, reward, and return on
investment. This is a senior mangement process
Subprojects - correct answersa smaller project managed within a larger, parent project. Subprojects are
often contracted work whose deliverable allows the larger project to progress
Triple Constraints of Project Management - correct answersAlso known as the Iron Triangle. This theory
posits that time, cost, and scope are three constraints that every project has.
Adaptive life cycle - correct answersthis is a project life cycle that anticipates many changes to the
project scope and demands highly involved project stakeholders. Because change happens often,
change control is managed tightly by the project manager. This approach is also known as the agile
project management methodology
balanced matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled
into one project team, but the functional managers and the project managers share the project power
composite structure - correct answersan organization that creates a blend of the functional, matrix, and
projectized structures
customer / user - correct answersthe person(s) who will pay for and use the project's deliverables
deliverable - correct answersa verifiable, measurable product or service created by a phase and/or a
project
functional structture - correct answersan organization that is divided into functions, and each employee
has one clear functional manager. Each department acts independently of the other departments. A
project manager in this strucutre has little to no power and may be called a project coordinater
influencers - correct answerspersons who can positively or negatively influence a project's ongoing
activities and/or the project's likelihood of success
kill point - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. A kill
point signals an opportunity to kill the porject if it should not continue
,negative stakeholder - correct answersa stakeholder who does not want a project to succeed. He or she
may try to negatively influence the project and help it fail
performing organization - correct answersthe organization whose employees or members are most
directly involved in the project work
phase - correct answersthe logical division of a project based on work or deliverable completed within
that phase. Common examples include the phases within construction, software development, or
manufacturing
phase exit - correct answersthe review of phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. It
signals the exiting of one phase and the entering of another
phase gate - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its requirements. Like
a phase exit, a phase gate shows the qualifications to move from one phase to another
phase-end review - correct answersthe review of a phase to determine if it accomplished its
requirements. A phase-end review is also called a phase exit, a phase gate, and a kill point
postive stakeholder - correct answersa stakeholder who wants a project to exist and succeed. He or she
may try to positively influence the project and help it succeed.
predictive life cycle - correct answersa predictive life cycle, also called a plan-driven approach, is a life
cycle that "predicts" the work that will happen in each phase of the project. The project plan, time, cost,
and scope are defined early in the project and predict what is to happen in the project
product life cycle - correct answersthe life cycle of the product a project creates. For example, a project
can create a piece of software; the software then has its own life cycle until it becomes defunct
project life cycle - correct answersthe collection of phases fro the start of a project to its completion
project management office (PMO) - correct answersa business unit that centralizes the operations and
procedures of all projects within the organization. The PMO supports the project manager through
software, templates, and administrative support. A PMO can exist in any organizational structure, but it
is most common in matrix and projectized structures
Project management systems - correct answersthe defined set of rules, policies, and procedures that a
project manager follows and utilizes to complete the project
project stakeholder - correct answersanyone who has a vested interest in a project's operation and/or
its outcome
projectized structure - correct answersan organization that assigns a project team to one project for the
duration of the project life cycle. The project manager has high-to-almost-complete project power
strong matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled into
one project team, but the functional managers have lass project power than the project manager
, weak matrix structure - correct answersan organization where organizational resources are pooled into
one project team, but the functional managers have more project power than the project manager
assumption - correct answersa belief that may or may not be true within a project. Weather is an
example of an assumption in construction projects
change request - correct answersa documented request to add to or remove from the project scope. A
change request may be initiated to change an organizational process asset, such as a template or a form.
closing process group - correct answersthe project management process group contains the activities to
close out a project and project contracts
constraint - correct answersa condition, rule, or procedure that restricts a project manager's options. A
project deadline is an example of a constraint
corrective action - correct answersA corrective action brings project work back into alignment with the
project plan. A corrective action may also address a process that is producing errors
defect repair - correct answersthe activity to repair a defect within the project
Deming's PDCA cycle - correct answersstandard project management is based on Deming's plan-do-
check-act cycle, which describes the logical progression of project management duties
enterprise environmental factors - correct answersAny external or internal organizational factors that
can affect project success. Enterprise environmental factors include the culture, organizational
structure, resources and commercial databases the project will use, market conditions, and your project
management software
executing process group - correct answersthe project management process group that provides the
activities to carry out the project management plan to compete the project work
initiating process group - correct answersthe project management process group that allows a project to
be chartered and authorized
issue log - correct answersa record of the issue, its characteristics, the issue owner, and a target date for
resolving the issue
manage project team - correct answersthe project manager must, according to enterprise
environmental factors, manage the project team to ensure that they are completing their work
assignments with quality and according to plan
manage stakeholder expectations - correct answersthis process is based on what the stakeholders
expect from the project and on project communications from the project manager
monitoring and controlling process group - correct answersthe project management process group
oversees, measures, and tracks project performance
