The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is the cornerstone reference for project management professionals worldwide. With each new edition, the PMBOK evolves to address the changing landscape of project management. In this article, we will explore the key differences between the PMBOK 6th Edition and the PMBOK 7th Edition, shedding light on the updates and enhancements that project managers and organizations can expect.
The PMKBOK guide is considered the recipe book for project managers. Not only do we frequently refer to it while managing our projects, but it also serves as the foundation for the certification exams that we take to showcase our project expertise.
The knowledge areas are used to organize project management processes by what needs to be done to manage the project successfully. These knowledge areas are like a recipe for project success—they describe processes that direct project managers to effectively plan, manage, and finalize all aspects of a project.
PMBOK 6th Edition: A Foundation for Project Management
The PMBOK 6th Edition, released in 2017, was a comprehensive guide emphasizing process-based project management. This edition was well-received for its robust framework and clear guidelines, which helped professionals and organizations improve their project management practices.
The project management process groups provide the rest of the structure of the PMBOK 6th edition project management process framework. They organize project management processes by when they need to happen. It was structured around the five traditional process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.
The PMBOK knowledge areas assist project managers with categorizing and organizing the various project components and then creating a systematic approach to project execution.
Each knowledge area plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of the project:
Knowledge area | Purpose |
Project Integration Management | Coordinate work to make sure that all aspects of the project come together at the right time to accomplish the project objectives. |
Project Scope Management | Define project objectives, establish a scope baseline and monitor and control the project to meet the scope baseline. |
Project Schedule Management | Determine a realistic schedule baseline and monitor and control the project to meet this baseline. This is often alternately referred to as project time management. |
Project Cost Management | Estimate costs, establish a realistic project budget and cost baseline, and control costs so the project is completed within the approved budget. |
Project Quality Management | Determine project quality requirements and ensure that project will meet these requirements. |
Project Resources Management | Ensure necessary equipment, material, and facilities are available in a timely fashion, assign the right people to work on the project, and organize them to create a high-performance team. |
Project Communications Management | Ensure timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination, storage of project information to all stakeholders. |
Project Risk Management | Identify risks, analyze risks, and monitor risks. Plan risk responses and prepare to handle individual risks and project uncertainty. |
Project Procurement Management | Plan, manage and control the acquisition of goods and services from outside the performing organization. |
Project Stakeholder Management | Ensure thorough identification of all stakeholders and conduct effective stakeholder engagement throughout the overall project. |
What's New in the PMBOK 7th Edition: A Shift in Focus
The PMBOK 7th edition marks a departure from its predecessors. Instead of relying on a comprehensive project management process framework, this edition introduces a novel approach centered on foundational principles and domains. These domains encompass crucial activities, allowing experienced project managers across various project environments to effectively lead projects to success.
This principle-based approach represents a notable departure from the detailed recipe-style presentation found in the 6th edition. It offers a more dynamic and hands-on approach to project management, guided by overarching principles and flexible guidelines.
The primary goal of the 7th edition is to equip project managers with the tools to proactively navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern project management. It promotes innovation and adaptability, enabling project managers to thrive in the fast-paced world of project execution while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
PMBOK 7th Edition: Adapting to a Changing Landscape
The PMBOK 7th Edition, released in 2021, is a significant departure from its predecessor. It reflects the need for agility and adaptability in modern project management.
The PMBOK 7th edition does not reference the traditional knowledge areas or process groups. Instead, it introduces project management through the lens of overarching principles and performance domains. However, it's important to note that the knowledge areas and process groups haven't disappeared; instead, they have evolved into the broader framework of performance domains.
Individuals working on projects of any size are guided in their behavior by the 12 principles outlined in the 7th edition. Regardless of what you are doing or where you are in the project life cycle, these principles offer a framework for all project operations.
The performance domains in the 7th edition offer an alternative to the 6th edition's project management framework, which was structured around process groups and knowledge areas. Both approaches encompass the full spectrum of project management, albeit with distinct focal points.
In the 7th edition, performance domains underscore the importance of performance across all domains, aiming to achieve value delivery as the ultimate objective. Conversely, the 6th edition's process framework prioritizes the precise sequence and execution of the right processes.
Introducing the Tailoring vision:
This 7th edition of the PMBOK® Guide focuses on delivering outcomes regardless of the approach used by the project team. However, project practitioners using the PMBOK® Guide also benefit from some level of understanding of how to deliver projects.
This edition is very different from the inputs, tools/techniques, and outputs (ITTOs) from previous editions of the PMBOK® Guide. In the previous editions, the ITTOs supported the implementation of various processes used in project management. The shift from a process-based standard to one based on principles necessitates a different approach for thinking about the various aspects of project management. Thus, the project performance domains represent a group of related activities that are critical for the effective delivery of project outcomes. There are eight project performance domains in this guide.
Tailoring is the deliberate adaptation of the project management approach, governance, and processes to make them more suitable for the given environment and the work at hand. The tailoring process is driven by the guiding project management principles, organizational values, and organizational culture.
In embracing the full spectrum of project approaches, this edition of the PMBOK® Guide recognizes that no publication can capture every tool, technique, or practice that project teams might use. Therefore, this edition presents an array of commonly used models, methods, and artifacts that project practitioners can use to accomplish their work.
Key differences between the two editions:
Elements | Difference |
Framework Flexibility | The PMBOK 7th Edition introduces a more flexible framework that acknowledges the diverse approaches to project management. It recognizes that one size does not fit all and provides a range of project delivery approaches, including predictive, adaptive, and hybrid methodologies. |
Tailored Guidance | In the 6th Edition, the PMBOK offered prescriptive guidance for each phase of a project. The 7th Edition, however, focuses on providing tailored guidance that allows project managers to adapt best practices to their specific projects. |
Domains and Competencies | The 7th Edition introduces a shift from knowledge areas to domains and competencies. There are now four domains: People, Process, Business Environment, and Delivery. Each domain is associated with specific competencies that project managers and teams should possess. |
Emphasis on Agile | The PMBOK 7th Edition places a more significant emphasis on Agile methodologies, acknowledging their growing popularity and relevance in project management. It integrates Agile concepts and practices into the framework. |
New Chapter | The 7th Edition includes a new chapter on project management in an adaptive environment. This chapter explores the principles and techniques of Agile and other adaptive methodologies, providing guidance on how to apply them effectively. |
Digital Representation | The 7th Edition features a digital representation of the PMBOK. This dynamic, online version allows users to access real-time updates and customized content, keeping pace with the evolving field of project management. |
Enhanced Leadership Skills | While leadership was touched upon in the 6th Edition, the 7th Edition places a stronger emphasis on leadership skills, acknowledging their importance in modern project management. |
Focus on Value Delivery | The 7th Edition emphasizes value delivery, ensuring that project managers are guided by the objective of delivering value to the customer and the organization. |
In conclusion
The PMBOK 7th Edition represents a significant shift in the world of project management. It embraces flexibility, acknowledges the prominence of Agile methodologies, and emphasizes the importance of leadership and value delivery. By doing so, it equips project managers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving field.
As the project management landscape continues to transform, the PMBOK 7th Edition serves as a valuable resource for both seasoned professionals and those new to the field. It offers adaptable guidance that can be customized to meet the unique needs of each project, making it an essential reference for today's project managers and organizations seeking to stay competitive in the dynamic world of project management.
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