In 2021, the PMI updated the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam to contain mostly scenario-based questions. So what does this mean for existing prep questions with memorization of inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs (ITTOs)?

We have chosen to keep our existing ITTO questions in our PMP prep. To pass the current PMP exam, you will need to understand why the specific input, tool or technique, and output belong to a specific process.

However, the more practice you have with ITTOs, the more confidently you will be able to answer those tricky scenarios in the exam. When studying ITTOs, you’ll want to ask yourself, “Why is this in this process? What purpose does it serve? How does it help accomplish an objective?”

Here’s an example of an existing ITTO question:

All of the following are examples of project documents that can be updated as a result of the Manage Communications process except:

A. Issue log

B. Project schedule

C. Project charter

D. Stakeholder register

Correct answer: C. Project charter

An output of the Manage Communications process is project documents updates. These project documents updates include, but are not limited to:

  • Issue log
  • Lessons learned register
  • Project schedule
  • Risk register
  • Stakeholder register

The project charter is created in the Initiating process group and gives enough information to serve as formal authorization for the project. It would not be updated as a result of the Manage Communications process.

Here is a scenario-based example aligning with the type of question you’ll see on the current PMP exam:

Maggie leads a partially dispersed team of people who work in various locations. She notices that sometimes queries from one team member to another remain unanswered until the next day. She sets up a video conferencing link that remote team members can access at any point in the day to check in with each other, ask questions, and get information in real time. What is this technique called?

A. Standup

B. Fishbowl window

C. Remote pairing

D. Caves and common

Correct answer: B. Fishbowl window

Fishbowl windows are long-lived video conferencing links which can be useful to overcome challenges that come with time zone differences and the lag caused by geographical separation.

Remote pairing is a form of virtual conferencing where screens, voice, and video can be used to share information almost as if face-to-face. Caves and common refers to private and public spaces within a workplace. Standups are regularly scheduled meetings.

To recap, we’ve chosen to offer both types of ITTO questions in our prep to better serve a variety of members’ learning styles.