Plain-English definitions of the terms for CAPM study. Simplified for learning; PMI’s materials are authoritative.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Project | A temporary effort to create a unique product or result. |
| Project lifecycle | The phases a project passes through. |
| Predictive | A plan-up-front, waterfall approach. |
| Iterative | Repeating cycles to refine the product. |
| Incremental | Delivering the product in working pieces. |
| Agile | An adaptive, iterative and incremental approach. |
| Hybrid | A blend of predictive and agile. |
| Scope | The work required to deliver the product. |
| WBS | Work Breakdown Structure — decomposition of work. |
| Milestone | A significant point or event in a project. |
| Baseline | The approved plan against which performance is measured. |
| Stakeholder | Anyone affected by or able to affect the project. |
| Risk | An uncertain event that could affect objectives. |
| Quality | Meeting the agreed requirements. |
| Backlog | A prioritised list of work in agile. |
| Sprint / iteration | A short, fixed agile delivery cycle. |
| User story | A short description of a need from a user’s view. |
| Requirement | A documented need a solution must satisfy. |
| Business analysis | Identifying needs and recommending solutions. |
| Change control | A process for evaluating and approving changes. |