Chapter 2 of 4 · PMI CAPM
Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies
When a predictive approach fits, process group activities, WBS and critical path, and controls such as earned value variances.
- 3topics
- 11 minfast track
- 2diagrams and exhibits
- 17%of the exam
Topics in this chapter
Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 1When to Use a Predictive ApproachWhen a predictive, plan-based approach fits for CAPM: suitable conditions and structures, activities in each process group and…3 min
- 2WBS, Work Packages and the Critical PathCAPM scheduling: work breakdown structure and work packages, dependencies, critical path and float, schedule compression, quality…Diagram4 min
- 3Predictive Artifacts and Cost and Schedule VariancesCAPM project controls: predictive artifacts, change requests and logs, and earned value basics: PV, EV, AC, CV, SV, CPI and SPI…Diagram4 min
About this chapter
What this chapter covers
Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies is 17% of the CAPM exam. Its three tasks are: explaining when a predictive approach is appropriate, understanding the project management plan schedule, and documenting project controls for predictive projects.
This is the most numeric part of CAPM. Expect to read a small network diagram, find the critical path and float, and calculate cost and schedule variances.
How the topics fit together
A predictive project defines its scope early, breaks it into work packages, schedules them with the critical path method and then controls performance against baselines. Changes go through formal change control.
For calculation questions, write the formula first, then put the numbers in. Most wrong answers on CAPM come from subtracting in the wrong order.
How to use these pages
Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.
- What it is: the idea in plain words.
- How it works: the mechanism, with tables and examples.
- What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise and how questions are phrased.
- Common mistakes: the classic traps.
- Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.
Ready for more practice?
The full PMI CAPM question bank has 1,049 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
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