The Project Management Institute (PMI) released the highly anticipated PMBOK 6th edition! The PMP exam will switch over from the 5th edition to the 6th edition on March 26, 2018.
In the new edition, the number of processes increases from 47 to 49. The diagram above outlines the changes to process names and new additions.
In PMBOK 6th edition, there’s an increasing emphasis on agile methodologies. The guide has become more informative and up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field.
Below, we’ve outlined all the changes in the PMBOK 6th edition.
What Has Changed in PMBOK 6th Edition
PMI Talent Triangle
In the latest edition, a new chapter has been added regarding the project manager’s role. According to the PMI Talent Triangle, a project manager requires complex strategic & business management skills, as well as leadership and technical skills.
2 Knowledge Areas Renamed
Another change in the PMBOK 6th edition is that two knowledge areas have been renamed. Time Management and Human Resource Management are now called Schedule Management and Resource Management, respectively.
A project manager is responsible not for the balance of time, but for the smooth progress of the project according to schedule. In addition, resources are not limited to teams, but also include physical resources.
4 Sections Added to Each Knowledge Area
Furthermore, all Knowledge Areas at the PMBOK 6th edition feature four new sections. These sections are the following:
- Key Concepts
- Trends and Emerging Practices
- Tailoring Considerations
- Considerations for Agile/Adaptive Environments
3 New Processes Added
The guide aims at a much more detailed description of the project management processes. To this end, three new processes have been added to a total of 49. These new processes include: 1) Manage Project Knowledge, 2) Implement Risk Responses, and 3) Control Resources.
Manage Project Knowledge is all about the power of using data to the advantage of the project. The right process of information leads to prudent decision making and eventually results in better project management.
Implement Risk Response has been a much anticipated addition to the risk management process.
Finally, Control Resources reflects the broadened term of the recently renamed Knowledge Area.
6 Processes Renamed
More over, six processes have been renamed to better respond to the current needs of the PMBOK 6th edition. Changes are as follows:
- Perform Quality Assurance has been renamed to Manage Quality
- Plan Human Resource Management has been altered to Plan Resource Management
- Control Communications has been changed to Monitor Communications
- Control Risks has been modified to Monitor Risks
- Plan Stakeholder Management has been changed to Plan Stakeholder Engagement
- Finally, Control Stakeholder Engagement has been changed to Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
All these name changes comply with the change of scope observed in the PMBOK 6th edition pdf.
Bottom Line
Having reviewed the changes in the PMBOK 6th edition, it is evident that project management is moving towards agile and adaptive methodologies. The PMBOK has been updated to reflect the changes in the project management industry.
PMI members can download the PMBOK 6th edition PDF for free. To become a member, you can register at www.pmi.org.
At the time of this writing, it is still not too late to get PMP certified on the PMBOK 5th edition if you act fast! Download 200 free practice questions to help you prepare!
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