PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition vs PMBOK® Guide 5th Edition: What has Changed in the PMP® Exam?

The Project Management Institute performs a role delineation study every five to seven years. The study focuses on what a project manager does day-to-day and relates this to the qualification. The recent RDS has revealed that the role of a project manager has slightly changed and so, the PMI® is releasing PMBOK® Guide 6th edition that reflects the new changes in the 3rd quarter of 2017.

It is worth noting that American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognizes PMBOK® Guide is recognized as an American National Standard. This article will focus on the how the PMBOK® Guide 6 is different from the PMBOK® Guide 5 (current version).

The PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition is currently a work in progress. The first draft of this edition was released in March 2016 for feedback and comments. Note that the PMP® Exam will be updated in the first quarter of 2018 and it will be based on the PMBOKGuide 6.

What has Changed in PMBOK® Guide 6?

Here are the changes you should expect in the PMBOK® Guide 6.

1. More emphases on Agile

Agile is now a major part of business. This management philosophy had initially made its way into the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition. However, in the sixth edition, it will feature significant additions. Note that these additions are based on the PMI®’s investigations regarding the ever growing use and influence of Agile Scrum. Here are the expected changes.

Profound agile-related information with the guide where necessary
An appendix page on Agile

Though not part of the PMBOK® Guide 6, a separate practice agile guide will be released alongside the PMBOK® Guide 6

2. 3 new processes have been added to the PMBOK® Guide 6

The addition of the three processes in the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition hasn’t made it easier than the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition. It has made it, without a question, more holistic and it’s expected to fill the gap in the areas that weren’t adequately addressed in the PMBOK® Guide 5. Here are the added processes.

Control of resources: the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition had the process “Manage Project Team” but as project managers recognize, it is crucial to assess actual vs. planned usage of supplies, equipment, materials, and human resources.

Manage project knowledge: this process focuses on broadening the idea of managing information within the project including raw data, integrated information, knowledge, and decision-making wisdom.

Implement risk responses: this process will fill the gap that has been existing between the five planning processes and the monitoring and controlling process that has featured in the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition. Though this process was included in the “Direct and Manage Project Work”, considering the significance of risks on projects, the process needs to be addressed adequately.

3. Some processes have been moved and names of some knowledge areas changed

The following changes will reflect in the upcoming PMBOK® Guide 6:

The name of knowledge areas

• “Project Time Management” has changed to “Project Schedule Management” (a synonymous switch)
• “Project Human Resource Management” has changed to Project Resource Management”. This change reflects the proactive stance from the PMI® when it comes to keeping an eye on the project resources.

Names of processes

• Perform Quality Assurance has been altered to Manage Quality
  Control Risks to Monitor Risks
• Control Communications has changed to Monitor Communications
• Plan Stakeholder Management has changed to Plan Stakeholder Engagement
• Control Stakeholder Engagement is now Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
• Plan Human Resource Management has changed to Plan Resource Management

4. In the upcoming PMBOK® Guide 6th edition, PMs will no longer be “control” freaks

In the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition, the PMI® has made attempts to minimize the use of the phrase “control” where necessary. Here are the expected changes:

• Control Risks to Monitor Risks
• Control Stakeholder Engagement to Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
• Monitor Communications instead of Control Communications

However, for a good reason, the following terms will continue having the phrase “control”.

• Control Resources (one of the processes added to PMBOK® Guide 6th edition)
• Control Procurement
• Control Costs
• Control Schedule
• Monitor and Control Project Work
• Control Quality

5. “Closing Procurement” has been excluded from the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition

According to PMI®, some project managers have no authority to terminate procurements or contracts. Therefore, all the actions relating to procurement closure have been moved to Control Procurement.

6. The PMBOK® Guide 6th edition will include emerging trends and practices

The upcoming version of PMBOK® has been stretched to cover not only acceptable management practices, but also, emerging trends, tools practices, and techniques. This is good news for individuals who are in search for industry specific or unique approaches to project management.

Do the changes in the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition have an impact on the PMP® exam?

Of course, yes. The changes in the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition will have an impact on the PMP® exam that will be based on the guide. To assess that impact, you need to consider the following:

• The number of processes in the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition has increased to 49. Though this isn’t an indicator of a complicated exam, a good PMP® certification training should aim at training for more “functions” within the project management.
• The new PMBOK® version will include three extra processes. Perhaps this translates to at least 5% to 10% of new content that you will need to understand during your preparation for the PMP® exam.
• Besides, the Agile and Scrum related information has been emphasized in the PMBOK® Guide 6th Therefore, you must be prepared to learn new terminologies and study Agile and Scrum at a great depth.

What do I need to do?

• Don’t panic. These changes in the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition aren’t difficult to learn. After all, they will be effected in 2018 PMP exam
• Get yourself a copy of the new exam content outline when the changes have been effected
• Use the PMP exam preparation materials that reflect the new exam structure
• Take some practice exams to enhance your confidence and then face the exam!
   

Good luck.