Easy Shortcut to Remember Itto in Pmp
Memorize the ITTOs with Mind Maps
- Download ITTO mind maps for all 10 Knowledge Areas - based on PMBOK 6th Edition
- Understand how the ITTOs fit together to complete the project
- Learn "PMI-ism", the PMI way of managing projects
- How to Memorize the Process Chart and Understand ITTOs for Your PMP Exam
- Learn the Exact Process to Pass Your PMP Certification in 6 Weeks
The Complete PMP ITTOs Guide: PMBOK 6th Edition
One of the most difficult areas of the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam is ITTOs. Even mentioning the word 'ITTOs' can strike fear for many PMP candidates. This guide will explain what ITTOs are and how to dissect the common ITTOs used in the PMBOK 6th edition guide.
What are ITTOs and how do I read an ITTO process chart?
ITTOs stand for Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs. Together, they tell you how PMI wants you to complete the process.
You can read the ITTO chart the way you read a recipe. For example, if I was to write a process chart for baking a cake, it would look something like the following:
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|
Flour | Mixing | Birthday cake |
The ingredients are theinputs that I need; thetools and techniques are the methods that I use to transform the inputs into the outputs; and theoutputs is the final product that I'm able to produce (in this case the birthday cake).
In other words, the ITTO chart for each of the 49 processes tells youhow you can accomplish the objective of that process.
Let's take an example for the PMBOK for a more realistic example. Below, we have the process chart for Develop Project Charter.
The first thing you want to do before you even look at the process chart is to understand what is the purpose of the process and what is it that it's trying to accomplish.
Develop Project Charter is the process of developing a formal documentation that recognizes the existence of the project and gives the project manager the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. A project cannot start without a project charter.
Now that we know the purpose of this project, let's take a look at its ITTO process chart.
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|
Business documents | Expert judgment | Project charter |
This ITTO chart tells us how we can go about developing the project charter for our project. We will need to look at any relevant business documents, agreements and take any existing organizational policies or procedures into consideration.
Once we have our inputs, we can meet with our experts to discuss how to create the project charter. We may also need to use data gathering techniques, such as brainstorming or interviews, in addition to interpersonal and team skills.
Once we've completed the work, the final outputs that we will obtain are the project charter and the assumption log.
The ITTO chart above summarizes how PMI wants project managers to develop project charter in just a few words.
If the ITTO chart is confusing, try writing it out in layman's terms as we have done for the Develop Project Charter process above.
Tailoring Considerations for ITTOs
Note that you do not need to use all of the ITTOs from the chart in order to complete the process. The ITTO chart is meant to be comprehensive and equip the project manager for any situation that they may face.
However, in real life, the project manager will need to tailor the ITTOs to fit their specific project situation.
Do I need to memorize all the ITTOs?
No, you do not need to memorize the ITTOs. There are on average around 10+ ITTOs per process. With 49 processes, it means there are 500+ ITTOs in the PMBOK 6th edition guide.
While some of you may have photographic memory, most of us do not. The PMP exam is also not meant to be a memorization exam either.
What's more important is that you understand why the specific input, tool or technique, and output belong to that specific process.
For each ITTO, ask yourself, "Why is it here in this process? What purpose does it serve? How does it help me accomplish the end objective?"
It's more important to understandwhy it is included in the ITTO chart than it is to memorize all 49 ITTO charts.
We also have an ITTO mind map that you can download here & register in our free PMP training that will teach you how to get certified in 6 weeks.
Interactions & Flows Between Processes
The 49 processes work together to complete the project. In other words, none of the processes work in isolation. What this means is that: the output of one process becomes the input for another process.
Here's an example:
This image above is taken from Figure 4-13 on page 114 of the PMBOK 6th edition guide. It shows you how the outputs of the Perform Integrated Change Control process then becomes inputs for a number of other processes.
Project processes do not happen in a vacuum; they work together to complete the project. The 49 processes interact with each other continuously, and outputs from one process then become inputs to another.
Understanding the Big Picture
When you're studying for your PMP exam, it's easy to get lost analyzing the endless amounts of ITTOs. However, before you dive in too deeply, you always need to keep the big picture in mind.
The big picture ishow PMI wants you to complete a project from start to finish. This is shown on the 49 Process Chart from the PMBOK 6th edition (see below).
The 49 processes chart tells you how PMI wants you to manage a project from start to finish. Watch the video below for tips and tricks on how to memorize this chart for your PMP exam:
Across the column headers, you have the 5 Process Groups (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing).
Across the row headers, you have the 10 Knowledge Areas. In the intersection, you have 49 processes. Each process has a corresponding knowledge area and process group.
You can zoom into each of the processes and take a look at its ITTOs – but don't lose sight of the big picture.
Pro tip: Although you don't need to memorize all 500+ ITTOs, it's a good idea to memorize the 49 process chart for your upcoming PMP exam.
Tools and Techniques Groups
When you deepdive into the ITTOs, you will start to see groupings of ITTOs. Each grouping shows you related ITTOs that all have a common objective.
Let's talk a look at some common groupings below:
Data gathering techniques – these techniques are used to obtain & collect data from a variety of different sources.
Data analysis techniques– these techniques are used to organize and evaluate the information gathered.
Data representation techniques – these techniques are used to show the data in graphical forms.
Decision-making techniques – these techniques are used to select a course of action after evaluating various different alternatives.
Communication skills – these techniques are used to transfer information between team members or stakeholders on the project.
Interpersonal and team skills – these techniques are used to lead team members and stakeholders.
Here are the tools & techniques that fall under each of the groupings:
Integration Management ITTOS
Integration management is the knowledge area where the project manager combines the results from all the other knowledge areas together to provide an overall view of the project.
Below is the ITTO chart for all processes under integration management.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Develop Project Charter | Business Documents | Expert Judgment | Project Charter |
Develop Project Management Plan | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Project Management Plan |
Direct and Manage Project Work | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Deliverables |
Manage Project Knowledge | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Lessons Learned Register |
Monitor & Control Project Work | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Work Performance Reports |
Perform Integrated Change Control | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Approved Change Requests |
Close Project or Phase | Project Charter | Expert judgment | Project Documents Updates |
Scope Management ITTOs
Scope refers to the features and functions in the end project deliverable. Project scope refers to the work that needs to be completed in order to complete the scope. Thus, project scope management is all about determining and managing the project scope throughout the project lifecycle.
The chart below shows all of the ITTOs for all processes under the Scope Management knowledge area.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Scope Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Scope Management Plan |
Collect Requirements | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Requirements Documentation |
Define Scope | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Project Scope Statement |
Create WBS | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Scope Baseline |
Validate Scope | Project Management Plan | Inspection Decision Making | Accepted Deliverables |
Control Scope | Project Management Plan | Data Analysis | Work Performance Information |
Schedule Management ITTOs
Project scheduling involves creating a detailed plan on when which task will be completed on the project. It provides the project team with a sequence of activities, and it tells the team when the overall project will be completed.
The project schedule is a major communication tool; it can also be used to manage stakeholder expectations.
Please see the chart below for all of the ITTOs for Project Schedule Management.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Schedule Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Schedule Management Plan |
Define Activities | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Activity List |
Sequence Activities | Project Management Plan | Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) | Project Schedule |
Estimate Activity Durations | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Duration Estimates |
Develop Schedule | Project Management Plan | Schedule Network Analysis | Schedule Baseline |
Control Schedule | Project Management Plan | Data Analysis | Work Performance Information |
Cost Management ITTOs
Project cost management deals with the cost of all resources (human and materials) needed to complete all project tasks.
As a project manager, you want to know what individual activities will cost as well as the entire project. You need to track the project budget and product reports about it on a regular basis.
Below are the processes within Cost Management and their associated ITTOs.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Cost Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgement | Cost Management Plan |
Estimate Costs | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Cost Estimates |
Determine Budget | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgement | Cost Baseline |
Control Costs | Project Management Plan | Experts Judgment | Work Performance Information |
Quality Management ITTOs
Quality is "the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements" (ISO 9000).
Project managers should prevent quality issues from getting into the end deliverable. It is usually less costly to prevent problems than to fix it once the product is in the hands of the customer.
The project manager seeks to minimize the overall cost of quality, which is the sum of cost of conformance and cost of nonconformance.
Before the project ends, the project manager needs to inspect the deliverable to ensure that it meets the agreed upon quality standards.
Please see below for the ITTOs of all quality management processes.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Quality Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgement | Quality Management Plan |
Manage Quality | Project Management Plan | Data Gathering | Quality Reports |
Control Quality | Project Management Plan | Data Gathering | Quality Control Measurements |
Resource Management ITTOs
Project resources include both physical resources (e.g. equipments and materials) and team resources.
Resource management revolves around the management of all resources on the project. The project manager needs to use different skills when managing physical and team resources.
When managing teams, the project manager needs to be aware of the organization's culture, geographic location, and internal & external team influences.
The chart below shows all of the processes within resource management plus their corresponding ITTOs.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Resource Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgement | Resource Management Plan |
Estimate Activity Resources | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgement | Resource Requirements |
Acquire Resources | Project Management Plan | Decision Making | Physical Resource Assignments |
Develop Team | Project Management Plan | Colocation | Team Performance Assessments |
Manage Team | Project Management Plan | Interpersonal And Team Skills | Change Requests |
Control Resources | Project Management Plan | Data Analysis | Work Performance Information |
Communications Management ITTOs
Communication is the process of exchanging information. Communications on the project can be internal or external, formal or informal, written or oral.
As a project manager, you need to manage your communication upwards to senior management and project sponsors, downwards to team members, and horizontally to other peers.
Communication is the main task of a project manager, and you will constantly be doing it throughout the project. Effective communications is essential to ensure project success.
We have all the Communications Management processes and their respective ITTOs in the chart below.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Communications Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgement | Communications Management Plan |
Manage Communications | Project Management Plan | Communication Technology | Project Communications |
Monitor Communications | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgement | Work Performance Information |
Risk Management ITTOs
Risk is an uncertain event that may or may not happen in the future. Project risk management aims to identify and manage risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Risks can be positive or negative. A positive risk is called an opportunity, and a negative risk is called a threat.
New risks can occur at any time on the project, so the project manager needs to perform the risk management processes continuously.
Below are the ITTOs for all the risk management processes.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Risk Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Risk Management Plan |
Identify Risks | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Risk Register |
Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Project Documents Updates |
Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Project Documents Updates |
Plan Risk Responses | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Change Requests |
Implement Risk Responses | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgement | Change Requests |
Monitor Risks | Project Management Plan | Data Analysis | Work Performance Information |
Procurement Management ITTOs
Procurement involves obtaining goods and services from a third party vendor. As a project manager, you need to be familiar with the procurement management processes of your organization, and know how to procure, select and manage contractors on your project.
The signed contract between the buyer and seller is a legally binding document, and there is usually an extensive approval process. The 3 main types of contracts that you may have on your project are: fixed cost, time and material, and cost reimbursable.
All of the procurement processes are listed below along with their respective ITTOs.
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Plan Procurement Management | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Procurement Management Plan |
Conduct Procurements | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Selected Sellers |
Control Procurements | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Closed Procurements |
Stakeholder Management ITTOs
A stakeholder is anyone with a stake on the project. A stakeholder can be positively or negatively impacted by the project. Some stakeholders have limited ability to influence project outcomes, while others have significant power and influence. It's important for the project manager to know what the stakeholder's stake is and how much power they have.
It is the project manager's job to communicate with the stakeholders and manage their expectations accordingly. Identifying and managing stakeholders are done continuously throughout the project.
Please see the chart below for all processes and ITTOs associated with stakeholder management.
You should also read: PMP 5th Edition ITTO Commonly Asked Questions Answered
Processes | Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
---|---|---|---|
Identify Stakeholders | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Stakeholder Register |
Plan Stakeholder Engagement | Project Charter | Expert Judgment | Stakeholder Engagement Plan |
Manage Stakeholder Engagement | Project Management Plan | Expert Judgment | Change Requests |
Monitor Stakeholder Engagement | Project Management Plan | Data Analysis | Work Performance Information |
Source: https://www.examspm.com/ittos/
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