Changes to Impact PMP® Exam 2017

When will PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition be released?

According to PMI, we can expect the following release dates: Final Release is scheduled for the third quarter of 2017 (July-Sept 2017)

Which version of the PMBOK® Guide should I use to study for the PMP® Exam?

• If you are taking the exam before Jan 1, 2018? Use PMBOK® Guide 5th Edition.
• If you are taking the exam after Jan 1, 2018? Use PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition.

What are the major changes that will happen?

1. Processes

Total Number of Processes:

Processes added, moved & removed:

Nine Processes Renamed:

2. Knowledge Areas

Two Knowledge Areas will be renamed:

3. Agile

The Agile concept is incorporated in all 10 knowledge areas. Each knowledge area will contain a section entitled Approaches for Agile, Iterative and Adaptive Environments, describing how these practices integrate in project settings.

4.PMI Talent Triangle

The PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition will contain a new chapter on the role of the project manager which discusses the PMI Talent Triangle™ and the skill sets organizations demand that make project managers more competitive and relevant. Technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management are all covered. You can explore preparation resources like the PMP Passport to build these competencies.

5.Chapter Re-alignment

The first 3 chapters of the book have been completely rewritten to highlight importance of project management’s role in the business value creation and any organizational change. In the new edition, the role of the project manager has been expanded as a leader, business expert and strategic thinker.

6.Some Other Changes  

• The PMBOK® Guide itself is taking on more of a voluntary instead of mandatory tone in some areas. For instance, for Requirements Collection, they might now say something to the effect that, “Here is a list of possible choices of tools. Choose any of these that best might fit your current project.”
• All 10 knowledge areas will focus on new topics like Key Concepts, Approaches in Agile, Tailoring Considerations, Trends and Emerging Practices, Iterative and Adaptive Environments and so on.
• There will be various notations throughout the new PMBOK® Guide differentiating between processes that are “Ongoing” (continuously executing) vs. “Non-ongoing processes.” This concept will be emphasized for the first time in the new PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition. Candidates preparing for the exam may also find the PMP Simulator useful for practising these concepts.
• The Product Scope vs Project Scope concept will also be emphasized for the first time in the new PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition.
• There will be a distinction between “Communication” (as in communicating between two people) and “Communications” (artefacts, such as published emails). For further reading on topics like these, visit the IPM blog.
• The new strategy, “Escalate Responses” provides for a PM escalating risk to the appropriate party so that the risk is no longer his/her responsibility.\