Head First PMP, 4th Edition (Book)

Head First PMP is a PMP exam preparation book published in its fourth edition in 2018 by O’Reilly Media. The authors are Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman. In this edition, the authors emphasize their aim to present the latest principles from the The PMBOK® Guide sixth edition in a visual and learning science-based format. The book’s page layout follows the characteristic style of the Head First series; illustrations, diagrams, graphs and colorful visuals accompany the textual explanations.

The book is organized around the project management process groups and knowledge areas covered by the PMP exam. The initial chapters introduce project management, the role of the project manager, and the project environment and process framework. Subsequent chapters cover topics related to the PMBOK knowledge areas in sequence: Project Integration Management, Scope Management, Time Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Resource Management, Communication Management, Risk Management, Procurement Management, and Stakeholder Management. The chapter titles are arranged to align with the PMI exam syllabus and follow the sequence of the PMBOK Guide. Thus, each chapter in the book presents the relevant PMBOK knowledge area concepts within a context designed to facilitate learning and retention.

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The fourth edition covers all principles and exam objectives from the PMBOK® Guide sixth edition. The authors explicitly state that the book includes all topics from the sixth edition of the PMBOK Guide. Consequently, the book’s scope directly corresponds to the content of the PMP certification exam. It is primarily aimed at experienced project managers preparing for the PMP certification and those seeking to effectively apply project management knowledge in exams and professional practice. The authors clearly indicate that this book is suitable for individuals who wish to prepare for the PMP exam and become better project managers at the end of the process. Due to its foundational project management concepts, the book is also usable by CAPM exam candidates. Additionally, the book includes exam strategies and hundreds of practice exam questions.

The book employs the Head First series’ customized pedagogical methods to facilitate learning and enhance information retention. For instance, based on learning science and neuroscience research, multisensory techniques are applied in information delivery. Content is presented through interactive puzzles, games, practical problems and simulated examples. Key features include:

• Multisensory learning: Colorful graphics and diagrams designed in alignment with brain function replace text-heavy, monotonous explanations. This visual format aims to ensure concepts are understood meaningfully and stored in long-term memory.
• Interactive content: Topics are presented through narrative scenarios, with in-page puzzles, quiz questions and games designed to engage the reader. These elements activate learning and reinforce knowledge retention.
• Repetition and reinforcement: Key concepts are revisited from different angles across various sections of the book. The authors repeat topics using diverse examples to strengthen memory retention; this is a core component of the Head First series’ learning-focused approach.

All these methods aim for long-term learning beyond the exam; rather than providing information to be memorized for test passage, the book ensures deep conceptual understanding.

The book is highly aligned with the PMBOK Guide. Its chapter sequence and content are fully structured to mirror the PMBOK’s process groups and knowledge areas. The authors recommend using the book alongside the PMBOK Guide, emphasizing its supportive role in exam preparation. The book also includes PMP-specific tips and exam strategies, guiding readers through how process groups integrate and how to approach questions likely to appear on the exam. The latest edition of Head First PMP organizes all PMBOK principles underlying the PMP exam into a structured study plan.

The book’s page design heavily utilizes graphics and diagrams for information delivery. As per the Head First style, most pages feature images, diagrams and eye-catching headings. These visual elements make abstract concepts concrete and easier to understand. For example, in the Project Integration Management chapter, complex process flows are supported by visual diagrams; in the Time Management chapter, critical path calculations are illustrated with graphs. This visual format helps the brain encode the book’s information more effectively. Earlier sections of the book also include exam-style multiple-choice questions and elements such as “Crossword Puzzles.”

The fourth edition has been updated to reflect the new PMP exam content introduced by PMI in January 2021. In that year, PMI defined three main domains for the exam: “People,” “Process,” and “Business Environment.” However, the exam still draws primarily from the 2017 PMBOK sixth edition. In alignment with the new exam structure, questions in chapters 15 and 16 have been rebalanced and new topics have been added to match the updated exam content. As a result, the book remains current with the PMP exam content as of 2021.