Important PMBOK 6th Edition Changes
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) explains the processes, within the project management life-cycle, that are utilized when managing a project. The PMBOK organizes these processes into five discrete process groups identified as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing.
The sixth edition of the PMBOK Guide was released on Sep 6, 2017. This article will share the recent changes to the PMBOK Guide and will be most useful for those considering the CAPM or PMP Certification exam. The PMBOK is crucial for those working in the project management industry or those that aspire to become a project management professional. Let’s take a look at what has change, what remains the same, and how it affects you.
The Structure of the Guide
The most significant structural difference is that the first three chapters were reorganized, while actually maintaining much of the original content from the previous edition. The first three sections focus on:
A common project vocabulary
The definition and importance of projects
The project environment and its influence on projects
Organizational systems & structures
The role and skills of the project manager
Chapter three also affirms the importance of the PMI Talent Triangle. The triangle, in addition to technical skills, emphasizes the importance of leadership and strategic and business management skills as essential to the development and effectiveness of a project manager.
Knowledge Areas Changes
Two names of the ten knowledge areas were changed in the 6th Edition and the changes make sense for those familiar with the PMBOK. Time Management was changed to Schedule Management and Human Resource Management is now Resource Management. Every knowledge area also has four additional sections that provide additional context related to the area and they are:
Key Concepts
Trends and Emerging Practices
Tailoring Considerations
Considerations for Agile/Adaptive Environments
Process Additions/Deletions
The number of project management processes increased from 47 to 49 in the 6th Edition, primarily due to the addition of three new processes and the deletion of another. The relevant changes are listed below:
Added: Manage Project Knowledge (Integration Management)
Added: Implement Risk Responses (Risk Management)
Added: Control Resources (Resource Management)
Deleted: Close Procurement (Procurement Management)
The Close Procurement was integrated into the Control Procurement and Close Project or Phase processes, which simplifies the control and closure of procurements and aligns with the realities of project manager authority.
Name Changes in Existing Processes
Several name changes were incorporated, primarily to align process terminology, technical context, and lexicon uniformity. The changes are listed below:
Perform Quality Assurance > Manage Quality
Plan Human Resource Management > Plan Resource Management
Acquire Project Team > Acquire Resources
Manage Project Team > Manage Team
Develop Project Team > Develop Team
Control Communications > Monitor Communications
Control Risks > Monitor Risks
Plan Stakeholder Management > Plan Stakeholder Engagement
Control Stakeholder Engagement > Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
Agile Methodologies and Concepts
More attention is paid to the adaptive and iterative project life-cycle models in order to inform and educate project managers in alternative project approaches. Agile methodologies are being embraced more and more within the project management domain and their significance should not be minimized.
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