Why Project+ Is the Entry Point for IT Project Management
CompTIA Project+ is the vendor-neutral, IT-focused project management certification that validates foundational skills without requiring years of experience. Unlike PMP, there are no prerequisites—making it ideal for those entering project management.
Who This Guide Is For
- IT professionals transitioning to project roles
- Team leads managing small-to-medium projects
- Developers or analysts seeking project management skills
- Anyone pursuing entry-level project management
Exam Structure
Overview (PK0-005)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | Maximum 90 |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice + performance-based |
| Passing Score | 710/900 |
| Cost | $369 |
Domain Distribution
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Project Basics | 36% |
| Project Constraints | 17% |
| Communication and Change Management | 26% |
| Project Tools and Documentation | 21% |
Domain 1: Project Basics (36%)
This is the largest domain. Master it thoroughly.
Project Lifecycle Phases
Initiation:
- Business case development
- Project charter
- Stakeholder identification
- High-level requirements
Planning:
- Scope definition
- WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
- Schedule development
- Resource planning
- Risk planning
- Budget estimation
Execution:
- Team coordination
- Deliverable creation
- Quality management
- Stakeholder engagement
Monitoring and Controlling:
- Performance tracking
- Change control
- Risk monitoring
- Issue resolution
Closing:
- Deliverable acceptance
- Lessons learned
- Documentation archive
- Team release
Project Roles
Key Stakeholders:
- Project sponsor
- Project manager
- Project team
- Functional manager
- Customer/End user
Organizational Structures
| Structure | PM Authority | Resource Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Functional | Low | Low |
| Matrix (Weak) | Low-Medium | Low-Medium |
| Matrix (Balanced) | Medium | Medium |
| Matrix (Strong) | Medium-High | Medium-High |
| Projectized | High | High |
Domain 2: Project Constraints (17%)
The Triple Constraint
Scope, Time, Cost (plus Quality)
Understanding the interrelationships:
- Change scope → impacts time and cost
- Reduce time → may increase cost or reduce scope
- Cut cost → may extend time or reduce scope/quality
Scope Management
WBS (Work Breakdown Structure):
- Hierarchical decomposition
- Work packages
- 100% rule
Scope Creep Prevention:
- Clear scope statement
- Change control process
- Stakeholder sign-off
Schedule Management
Techniques:
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)
- Resource leveling
- Schedule compression (crashing, fast-tracking)
Dependencies:
- Finish-to-Start (FS)
- Start-to-Start (SS)
- Finish-to-Finish (FF)
- Start-to-Finish (SF)
Cost Management
Estimation Techniques:
- Analogous (top-down)
- Parametric
- Bottom-up
- Three-point (PERT)
Budget Components:
- Direct costs
- Indirect costs
- Contingency reserves
- Management reserves
Domain 3: Communication and Change Management (26%)
Communication
Communication Planning:
- Stakeholder analysis
- Communication matrix
- Meeting schedules
- Status reporting
Communication Methods:
- Push (send information)
- Pull (information available)
- Interactive (meetings, calls)
Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder Analysis:
- Identify stakeholders
- Analyze interest and influence
- Plan engagement strategy
- Monitor engagement
Change Management
Change Control Process:
- Submit change request
- Evaluate impact
- Approve/reject (CCB)
- Implement if approved
- Update documentation
Change Control Board (CCB):
- Reviews change requests
- Evaluates impact
- Makes approval decisions
Conflict Resolution
Techniques:
- Collaborating (win-win)
- Compromising
- Smoothing/Accommodating
- Forcing
- Avoiding/Withdrawing
Domain 4: Project Tools and Documentation (21%)
Planning Documents
Project Charter:
- Project purpose
- High-level requirements
- Success criteria
- PM authority
Project Management Plan:
- Integration of subsidiary plans
- Scope, schedule, cost baselines
- Risk, quality, communication plans
Work Breakdown Structure:
- Deliverable-oriented
- Progressive elaboration
- WBS dictionary
Tracking and Reporting
Status Reports:
- Work completed
- Work planned
- Issues and risks
- Schedule/budget variance
Dashboards:
- Key performance indicators
- Visual status representation
- Traffic light indicators
Risk Management
Risk Identification:
- Brainstorming
- Checklists
- Expert interviews
- SWOT analysis
Risk Analysis:
- Probability × Impact matrix
- Qualitative assessment
- Prioritization
Risk Response:
- Avoid
- Mitigate
- Transfer
- Accept
Quality Management
Techniques:
- Quality planning
- Quality assurance
- Quality control
- Continuous improvement
The 4-Week Study Plan
Week 1: Project Basics
- Project lifecycle phases
- Organizational structures
- Roles and responsibilities
- 40 practice questions
Week 2: Constraints
- Triple constraint
- WBS and scope management
- Schedule techniques (CPM, dependencies)
- Cost estimation
Week 3: Communication and Change
- Stakeholder management
- Communication planning
- Change control process
- Conflict resolution
Week 4: Tools, Documentation, and Review
- Risk management
- Quality management
- Full practice exam
- Weak area review
Study Resources
Official Materials
- CompTIA Project+ Study Guide
- CertMaster Learn for Project+
Third-Party Resources
- Professor Messer’s Project+ videos
- Jason Dion’s Project+ course
- Udemy Project+ preparation courses
Practice Exams
- CompTIA CertMaster Practice
- Pearson practice tests
- Udemy practice exams
Project+ vs. PMP
| Aspect | Project+ | PMP |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | None | 36-60 months experience |
| Focus | IT projects | All industries |
| Difficulty | Entry-level | Advanced |
| Cost | $369 | $555-$555 |
| Maintenance | 3-year renewal | 60 PDUs/3 years |
Project+ is ideal for those without extensive experience who want to validate project management fundamentals.
Career Impact
Immediate Benefits
- Role Access: Junior PM, Project Coordinator
- Salary Range: $50,000-$70,000
- Foundation Building: Prepares for PMP later
Career Pathways
Management Track:
- Project+ → CAPM → PMP → PgMP
IT Track:
- Project+ → ITIL → IT Service Management
Common Roles
- Project Coordinator
- Associate Project Manager
- IT Project Specialist
- Team Lead
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating Domain 1. It’s 36% of your score
- Weak WBS understanding. Know how to create and use it
- Ignoring change management. It’s heavily tested
- Not practicing PBQs. Performance-based questions appear
The Bottom Line
CompTIA Project+ at $369 is an accessible entry into project management. With no prerequisites and IT focus, it’s ideal for technical professionals seeking project leadership skills.
Master the project lifecycle, understand constraints, and practice scenario-based questions. Your project management career starts here.