PMI-CP study guide
PMI-CP · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
PMI-CP (PMI Construction Professional)™ is a specialized credential from the Project Management Institute, listed on PMI's certification menu alongside other specialized credentials such as PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP and PMI-SP. PMI separates these from its core certifications - CAPM, PMP, PgMP and PfMP - which signals that PMI-CP is built around one industry rather than general delivery practice; PMI also maintains a separate construction industry-solutions area on its site. Candidates are typically construction project managers, project engineers, owners' representatives and contractor staff who already handle budgets, schedules, contracts, change and site coordination, and who want a credential reflecting that context instead of generic theory. Because PMI's construction certification page was returning an error when this page was compiled, the exam blueprint, item count, time limit, fee, eligibility and renewal rules are deliberately not quoted here. The PMI-CP study guide has 4 sections and about 1,260 words.
01Construction Project Management Fundamentals
Construction projects move through distinct phases: feasibility and front-end planning, design (concept, detailed, construction documents), procurement and award, mobilization, construction, commissioning, substantial completion, closeout, and the warranty period. Know what gate each phase and which deliverables must exist before proceeding.
319 words, about 2 min02Stakeholder and Team Management
Stakeholders extend well beyond contract signatories: owner, owner's representative, designer of record, general contractor, subcontractors and suppliers, authorities having jurisdiction (building, fire, environmental), lenders, utilities, labor unions, adjacent property owners, community groups, and end users. Identify early, analyze by power and interest, and calibrate engagement: high power/high interest gets close management, high power/low interest gets kept satisfied, low power/high interest gets kept informed.
305 words, about 2 min03Contract and Commercial Management
Lump sum (fixed price) transfers quantity and productivity risk to the contractor and fits well-defined scope. Unit price suits uncertain quantities with firm unit rates.
309 words, about 2 min04Risk and Schedule Management
Risk management is continuous: identify, analyze (qualitative then quantitative), plan responses, implement, monitor. Keep a live risk register with owner, probability, impact, trigger, response, and residual risk.
327 words, about 2 min