9 NEW Definitions You Need to Know for the NEW PMP Exam
Why should I still study definitions if all questions are situation-based? Before you can answer any situational questions (like the ones we offer in our Exam Simulator) you need to understand what the question is about. The below 9 definitions are NEW definitions you should know for the NEW 2021 PMP Exam.
1. Osmotic Communication
Osmotic communication happens when information flows into the background hearing of team members and they are able to pick up relevant information. This can be accomplished by seating team members in the same room. The cost of communication is low and feedback rate is high. Errors are corrected rapidly, and knowledge is disseminated quickly (source).
2. Spike
A spike is an investment of a product owner to make a story estimable or schedulable. During a short time interval within a project, the team conducts research or prototypes an aspect of a solution to prove its viability (Agile Practice Guide, p. 154).
3. Information Radiator
An information radiator is a visible, physical display that provides information to the rest of the organization enabling up-to-the-minute knowledge sharing without having to disturb the team (Agile Practice Guide, p. 152). A Kanban board is an example of an information radiator.
4. Minimum Viable Product
If the team needs feedback on a prototype, they can decide to create a minimum viable product (MVP). An MVP is a version of a product with just enough features to be usable by a subset of customers who can then provide feedback for future product development (Agile Practice Guide, p. 23).
5. Definition of Done
The Definition of Done (DoD) is concerned with the criteria required to be met so that a deliverable can be considered ready for customer use (Agile Practice Guide, p. 151). When a product backlog item meets the DoD, it can be considered an increment. The DoD creates transparency as it provides the criteria required. If the product backlog item does not meet the definition of done, it cannot be released or even presented at the sprint review (The Scrum Guide, p. 12).
6. Backlog Refinement
During backlog refinement (or backlog grooming) meetings stories are refined enough so the team understands what the stories are and how large the stories are in relation to each other (Agile Practice Guide, p. 52). This is done by breaking down product backlog items into smaller more precise items. Backlog refinement is an ongoing activity to add details, such as description, order, and size (The Scrum Guide, p. 10).
7. Sprint Review
The sprint review is a demonstration of the working product to gather feedback and/or acceptance from the stakeholders. During this review the Scrum team and stakeholders review what was accomplished in the sprint and what has changed in their environment. This can lead to adjustments of the product backlog (The Scrum Guide, p. 9).
8. Sprint Retrospective
The retrospective is designed to improve both process and product in terms of quality and effectiveness. The team inspects how the last sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done (The Scrum Guide, p. 10). The sprint retrospective concludes the sprint.
9. Tuckman
One model to describe team development is the Tuckman ladder. This model includes five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. In the forming phase team members meet and learn about the project and their roles and responsibilities. The team begins to address the project work in the storming phase. The norming phase follows the storming phase. In this phase, team members begin to work together and learn to trust each other. Teams that reach the performing stage function as a well-organized unit. The final phase is adjourning. The team completes the work and moves on from the project in this phase. It is common for these stages to occur in order, however, it is possible for a team to get stuck in a particular stage or regress to an earlier stage (PMBOK Guide, p. 338).
As always, we recommend that you understand these definitions and not just memorize them. This will help you solve all situation-based questions in your exam. Do you think you’re ready for the NEW 2021 PMP Exam? Test it with our Exam Simulator.