Project management is a discipline that involves use of set standards, principles, code of conduct, methods and techniques. Today managers involve in project handling due to increasing competition and scarcities of resources are force to learn application of these rules.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL EXAM test individual's knowledge of decision-making, resource allocation and handling teamwork by testing him/ her in following areas:

• PROJECT INITIATION
• PROJECT PLANNING
• PROJECT EXECUTION
• PROJECT CONTROL
• PROJECT CLOSING
• PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

It is a computerized based exam held for 4 hours and consists of 200 multiple type questions each having 4 options. One needs to get 137 out of 200 to clear the paper.

The following weights have been assigned to each area:

PROJECT INITIATION:

It checks individual's knowledge in identification of project ideas that appear to be of high priority and can achieve important development objectives. 8.5% of the total questions are covered by project initiation.

PROJECT PLANNING:

It tests individual's ability to perform feasibility study along technical, financial, economic, social dimensions of project. It includes designing the project and making them adapt to local, political, administrative, economic and cultural needs.

Project planning covers 23.5% of the total questions.

PROJECT EXECUTION:

All the project implementation work is directed towards facilitating projects success. It checks individuals' excellence towards allocating resources, managing progress, communicating the results to top management and implementing quality assurance programs. It also covers 23.5% of the total exam.

PROJECT CONTROL:

The project cycle does not end with the implementation and project goes into operation even afterwards. The main purpose is to learn the lessons for design of future projects and help ensure accountability. Project control part of the exam test individuals excellence in doing the comprehensive and detailed review of the elements of success and failure of the project for enhancing the development impact of project work. It covers 23% out of the total paper.

PROJECT CLOSING:

A project is a scheme for investing resources in an enterprise. It tests individual's knowledge in getting the acceptance of deliverables, preserving records for products and processes used and facilitating closure. Around 7% of the exam focuses on this area.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

It tests individual's knowledge in applying professional standards and principles for achieving project objectives. It consists of 14.5% of the total paper.