Tools and Techniques in PMBOK 6th edition has seven groups of 132 different project management tools and techniques. These tools are grouped as per their purpose. The group names describe the intent of what needs to be done. The project management techniques in the group represent different methods to accomplish the intent.
Project Management Tools and Techniques Groups
PMBOK 6th edition has seven groups of 132 different project management tools. The following list enumerates the break-up of these tools based on their groups.
- 09 – Data Gathering Tools
- 27 – Data Analysis Techniques
- 15 – Data Representation Tools and Techniques
- 02 – Decision Making Techniques
- 02 – Communication Skills
- 17 – Interpersonal and Team Skills
- 60 – Ungrouped Tools and Techniques
Data Gathering Tools
Data-gathering tools and techniques are used to collect data and information from a variety of sources. The following list enumerates the nine data-gathering tools.
- Benchmarking
- Brainstorming
- Check sheets
- Checklists
- Focus groups
- Interviews
- Market research
- Questions and Surveys
- Statistical sampling
Data Analysis Techniques
Data analysis tools and techniques are used to organize, assess and evaluate data and information. There are 27 data analysis tools. The following paragraph enumerates important data analysis techniques.
- Cost of Quality
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Decision Tree Analysis
- Earned Value Analysis
- Make-or-Buy Analysis
- Process Analysis
- Regression Analysis
- Risk Probability And Impact Assessment
- Root Cause Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Variance Analysis
- What-if Scenario Analysis
Also read: Seven Basic Quality Tools PMP Exam Guide
Data Representation Tools and Techniques
Data representation techniques represent the data and information in a visual format. There are 15 data representation tools. The following list enumerates some of the important data representation tools.
- Affinity Diagrams
- Cause-and-Effect Diagrams
- Control charts
- Flowcharts
- Histograms
- Mind Mapping
- Probability and Impact Matrix
- Scatter Diagrams
- Stakeholder Engagement Assessment Matrix
- Stakeholder mapping/representation.
Also read: Quality Control Data Representation Tools
Decision-Making Techniques
Decision-making techniques are used to select a course of action from different alternatives. The following are the two decision-making techniques.
- Multi-criteria decision analysis
- Voting
Communication Skills
Communication skills are the tools used to transfer information among different project stakeholders. The following are the two communication skills.
- Feedback
- Presentations
Interpersonal and Team Skills
Interpersonal and team skills consist of 17 different techniques used to lead project teams. The following list presents some important interpersonal skills.
- Active Listening
- Conflict Management
- Cultural awareness
- Decision Making
- Emotional Intelligence
- Facilitation
- Influencing
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Negotiation
- Nominal Group Technique
- Political awareness
Ungrouped Tools and Techniques
This group consists of an exhaustive list of 60 different tools. The following list describes some of the most important project management techniques in this category.
- Critical Path Method
- Decomposition
- Knowledge Management
- Leads and Lags
- Organizational Theory
- Precedence Diagramming Method
- Resource Optimization
- Risk Categorization
- Rolling Wave Planning
- Schedule Compression
- Schedule Network Analysis
- Three Point Estimating
- To-Complete Performance Index
Conclusion
To summarize, the 132 project management tools described in PMBOK 6th edition are good practices that can be used for successful project delivery. Appendix X6 in PMBOK maps all 132 tools with their processes and corresponding knowledge areas. For a complete list of these techniques refer to The Project Management Body of Knowledge, 6th Edition®.
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