Poster 13 · Models, Methods & Artifacts
PMBOK® Guide — 7th Edition · Section 4
Quick Reference & Exam Tips
Scan-and-recall tables for the highest-yield Section 4 facts: model → use, estimating methods, and contract types.
| Model | Use it to… |
|---|---|
| Situational Leadership II | match leadership style to a person’s competence & commitment |
| OSCAR | structure a coaching / mentoring conversation |
| Tuckman | understand the team’s development stage |
| Cynefin | choose decision style by problem context |
| Stacey | gauge complexity from requirement & tech uncertainty |
| ADKAR / Kotter | lead change (individual / organisation) |
| Salience | classify stakeholders (power/legitimacy/urgency) |
| Conflict (TKI) | pick a conflict-handling style |
| Method | Best when… |
|---|---|
| Analogous | little detail; similar past project exists (top-down) |
| Parametric | reliable historical data & a scalable parameter |
| Multipoint | uncertainty — weight 3 scenarios (PERT-like) |
| Relative / Story point | adaptive work; compare effort, not absolutes |
| Affinity grouping | fast sizing of many items (T-shirt / Fibonacci) |
| Wideband Delphi | expert consensus needed (planning poker) |
| Single-point | one best-guess value; low precision needed |
| Type | Use / risk |
|---|---|
| Fixed-price (FFP/FPIF/FP-EPA) | well-defined scope; most cost risk on the seller |
| Cost-reimbursable (CPAF/CPFF/CPIF) | unclear / changing scope; more cost risk on the buyer |
| Time & materials (T&M) | small / staff-aug work; shared risk; agreed rates |
| IDIQ & others (MOA/MOU/SLA) | indefinite quantity; lighter understandings |
Exam tips
- Watch the verbs: “explain how it works” → model; “produce / achieve” → method; “template / document” → artifact.
- The lists are not prescriptive — the team selects and tailors.
- Map the scenario to a performance domain, then recall the items linked to it.
- For complexity questions, decide known vs unknown cause-effect → Cynefin domain.
- For procurement, match scope clarity to contract type and who carries the risk.