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PMP® Cheat Sheet for Effective Study
ByThe Knowledge AcademyLast updated on: 10 October 2026
Want to know how to use a PMP Cheat Sheet? Read this blog to learn all you need to know about a PMP Cheat Sheet, its formulas, domains, and more.
A chef has recipes. A pilot has checklists. An engineer has reference tables. So, why shouldn't an aspiring Project Manager have a quick-reference guide for exam preparation?
That's the idea behind a PMP Cheat Sheet. Instead of searching through lengthy materials every time you need to recall a formula or concept, you can revisit important information in one place. This blog covers essential PMP® formulas, project management concepts and exam domains to support your revision. Let's get started!
What is a PMP® Cheat Sheet?
A cheat sheet is typically a set of concise notes intended to aid one’s memory. It is most widely used for quick reference before examinations. A PMP® cheat sheet is a quick-reference guide that summarises important formulas, concepts, terms and techniques related to the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam.
It serves as a useful revision tool for refreshing knowledge, remembering formulas and identifying areas that need further attention. While it cannot replace comprehensive exam preparation, it can make revision more focused, efficient and manageable, helping individuals approach the PMP® exam with greater confidence.
Bonus Tip
Don't wait until the final days before your PMP exam to use a cheat sheet. Review a small set of concepts regularly, then try recalling them without looking at your notes. This helps identify knowledge gaps early and makes revision more effective than simply rereading the same material.
Formulas in PMP® Cheat Sheet
Typically, formulas compute several kinds of values and functions. As the scope of project management is vast, the number of formulas to be considered is large and depends on many factors.
From a PMP exam perspective, the following formulas are useful project management formulas for revision. The PMP formulas listed below are important references for professionals preparing for numerical and scenario-based questions. So, let us have a look at them:
| Name | Acronym | Formula |
| Future Value | FV | PV × (1 + i)^n |
| Present Value | PV | FV/ (1 + i)^n |
| Target Price | Target cost + Target profit | |
| Point of Total Assumption | PTA | Target cost + [(Ceiling price – Target price) / Buyer’s share ratio] |
| Communication Channel | n (n -1) / 2 | |
| Earned Value | EV | Budgeted value of work actually completed |
| Cost Variance | CV | Earned value (EV) – actual cost (AC) |
| Schedule Variance | SV | Earned value (EV) – planned value (PV) |
| Actual Cost | AC | Total actual costs incurred for the work performed |
| Cost Performance Index | CPI | EV / AC |
| Schedule Performance Index | SPI | Earned value (EV) / Planned value (PV) |
| Estimate at Completion | EAC |
AC + Bottom-up ETC AC + (BAC – EV) AC + [(BAC – EV) / (CPI x SPI)] |
| Estimate to Complete | ETC | EAC – AC |
| Variance at Completion | VAC | BAC – EAC |
| To-Complete Performance Index (BAC-based) | TCPI | (BAC – EV) / (BAC – AC), when BAC remains the cost target (or) (BAC − EV) / (EAC − AC) when EAC is the revised cost target |
| PERT Standard Deviation | (Pessimistic – Optimistic) / 6 | |
| Pert Formula Beta | (Optimistic + 4 × Most Likely + Pessimistic) / 6 | |
| Expected Monetary Value | EMV | Probability × Monetary Impact |
| Risk Priority Number | RPN | Detection × Occurrence × Severity |
| Cost Plus Percentage of Cost Contract | CPPC | Total payment = Reimbursable cost + (Agreed fee percentage × Reimbursable cost) |
| Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contract | CPFF | Total payment = Reimbursable cost + Agreed fixed fee |
| Cost Plus Award Fee Contract | CPAF | Allowable cost + Base fee (if applicable) + Earned award fee |
| Cost Plus Incentive Fee Contract | CPIF | Allowable Cost + Incentive Fee determined by the contract terms |
| Return on Investment | ROI | (Net profit / cost of investment) * 100 |
| Payback Period | Initial investment / periodic net cash inflow (when cash inflows are equal) | |
| Benefit-cost Ratio | BCR | Present Value of Benefits / Present Value of Costs |
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PMP® Exam Domains and Key Concepts for Revision
The PMP® exam covers three key domains: People, Process and Business Environment. Each domain focuses on different aspects of project management and includes important concepts that individuals should understand during their preparation.
This section of the PMP Cheat Sheet highlights the essential topics under each domain, making it easier to review key concepts, identify areas for revision and prepare effectively for the exam.
Domain 1: People (33%)
This domain concentrates on creating a high-performance team. The topics under this domain cover the following:
1) Leadership Styles
2) Conflict resolution techniques like collaborate, compromise, smooth, force and withdraw
3) Team roles and responsibilities using the RACI matrix
4) Team development using Tuckman's five stages
5) Team motivation and empowerment
6) Emotional intelligence and active listening
7) Ground rules and team agreements
8) Stakeholder analysis, power-interest grid and stakeholder mapping
9) Stakeholder engagement and expectation management
10) Communication methods like interactive, push and pull
11) Communication management and feedback loops
12) Knowledge transfer including coaching, mentoring and lessons learned
Domain 2: Process (41%)
This domain focuses on planning, delivering, monitoring and managing project work using appropriate project management approaches. It also emphasises selecting suitable delivery methods, managing resources and ensuring that projects deliver value.
Project Management Approaches:
Scope Management:
1) Scope Baseline: Approved scope statement, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and WBS dictionary.
2) Scope Creep: Uncontrolled expansion of project scope.
3) Requirements Management Plan: Explains how requirements are collected, analysed and managed.
4) Scope Management Plan: Explains how project scope is defined, validated and controlled.
Schedule Management:
Cost and Financial Management:
1) Cost Baseline: Approved, time-phased project budget, excluding management reserves.
2) Contingency Reserve: Budget for identified risks.
3) Management Reserve: Budget for unforeseen work within the project scope.
4) Earned Value Management (EVM): Measures project performance by comparing planned value, earned value and actual cost.
5) Estimate at Completion (EAC): Forecasts the total cost of the project.
Agile and Value Delivery Concepts:
1) Product Backlog: An ordered list of work needed to improve the product.
2) Sprint Backlog: Selected work and the plan for achieving the Sprint Goal.
3) Velocity: Amount of work completed during an iteration, commonly measured in story points.
4) Kanban: A method for visualising workflow and managing work in progress.
5) Incremental Delivery: Delivers usable portions of a solution over time.
6) Benefits Tracking: Measures whether project outputs contribute to intended business outcomes.
Procurement Management:
1) Fixed-price Contracts: The agreed price is generally established in advance, subject to contract terms.
2) Cost-reimbursable Contracts: The buyer reimburses allowable costs along with the agreed fee.
3) Time and Materials Contracts: Payments are based on agreed rates and materials used.
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Domain 3: Business Environment (26%)
This domain focuses on aligning projects with organisational objectives, governance, compliance and business value. It also covers managing changes, resolving issues, addressing risks and supporting continuous improvement.
Project Governance:
1) Governance Framework: Defines how project decisions, oversight and accountability are managed.
2) Escalation Procedures: Specify when and how issues or decisions are referred to higher authorities.
3) Project Success Metrics: Measures used to evaluate outcomes, benefits and performance.
Compliance Management:
Important compliance considerations include:
1) Regulatory and legal requirements
2) Information security and data protection
3) Health and safety requirements
4) Environmental and sustainability obligations
5) Organisational policies and standards
Change Control Process:
Identify Change → Submit Request → Assess Impact → Review and Decide → Implement if Approved → Update Records
Risk Management:
| Risk Type | Response Strategies |
| Threats (Negative Risks) | Avoid, Mitigate, Transfer, Accept, Escalate |
| Opportunities (Positive Risks) | Exploit, Enhance, Share, Accept, Escalate |
Continuous Improvement:
1) Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA): A cycle for planning, testing, evaluating and improving processes.
2) Kaizen: An approach focused on ongoing incremental improvements.
3) Root Cause Analysis: Identifies underlying causes of recurring problems.
Common PMP® Terms and Their Differences
Several project management terms may appear similar but serve different purposes. You can add table to distinguish them quickly.
Important Project Management Documents
Knowing the purpose of frequently used project documents can help you identify which information is needed in different situations.
| Document | Purpose |
| Business Case | Explains the business justification for a project |
| Project Charter | Formally authorises the project and the Project Manager's authority |
| Project Management Plan | Describes how the project will be executed, monitored and controlled |
| Risk Register | Records identified risks, assessments and planned responses |
| Issue Log | Tracks existing problems, responsible owners and resolutions |
| Stakeholder Register | Records stakeholder information and relevant characteristics |
| Lessons Learned Register | Captures knowledge and experiences throughout the project |
| Benefits Management Plan | Describes how expected benefits will be delivered, measured and sustained |
Keep This in Mind
A PMP cheat sheet is a revision tool, not a shortcut to exam success. Use it to reinforce important concepts but focus on understanding when and how to apply them. The PMP® exam tests your ability to make informed decisions in real-world project situations, not just recall formulas and definitions.
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