3 Differences between PMP 5th edition and PMP 6th edition you should know
- October 31, 2017
- Posted by: Polaris Human Development
- Category: Project Management
As you may know the PMP Exam will change in the beginning of 2018 based on the upcoming sixth Edition of the PMBoK Guide. Historically, this happens every 4 to 5 years, and that time is here again. When the Project Management Institute (PMI)® makes a new release of the PMBOK® Guide, it causes fear and anxiety to some while also causing, excitement and eagerness to others, so we here bring into your hands most changes that will happen in the next edition:
3 New Processes
There will be 49 processes from 47.
Three new processes will be added and one process will be deleted.
New processes:
“Manage Project Knowledge”
“Control Resources”
“Implement Risk Responses”
Deleted process:
Close Procurements process has been removed. Its functionality has been consolidated into the “Close Project or Phase” Process
Agile (Adaptive PM) Addition
Agile and adaptive practices are now a big part of all business strategy and projects. This otherwise “lean” or lightweight (mainly technology) management philosophy had already made its entrance in the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition. But, the upcoming 6th edition will feature significant additions. These changes are based on PMI’s research on the growing influence and application of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and similar adaptive and change-driven project management methodologies. The changes include
a) Agile and adaptive environment considerations in each knowledge area. PMI discusses how the knowledge area is applicable over a range of predictive to adaptive life cycles.
b) Agile related ITTOs (Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs) throughout the PMBOK® Guide
c) A separate appendix on Agile, Iterative, Adaptive, and Hybrid environments
d) Although, not part of the PMBOK® Guide, a separate Agile Practice Guide has been released with the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition
If you are exposed to Agile processes and have been using terms such as iterations, product backlog, sprint backlog, user stories, release planning, iteration or sprint planning, kanban board, refactoring, test driven development, scrum master, agile coach, etc. you will be delighted to see them and many more Agile practice ideas in the PMBOK® Guide sixth edition.
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 names of 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
WHY DO YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR CERTIFICATION EXAM Before January 2018?
The PMP Exam is expected to be updated to the new PMBOK® Guide material sometime around the 1st Quarter of 2018. If you have the 35hrs of training and you are yet to sit the exams, it is recommended that you get certified before the official launch of the new exam for the following reasons.
The changes to terminology in the Sixth Edition will be made to the PMP® exam to align the two and remove discrepancies.
The number of processes has gone up from 47 to 49. While this does not predict a difficult exam, it simply means you will have to cover the additional content before you sit for your exams.
There are three new processes. Meaning, there will be at least 5-10% of new content to acknowledge in your PMP exam preparation.
There is Agile and Scrum related content strewn all over the PMBOK®Guide 6TH Edition and a brand-new Appendix to expand its coverage. There is a good chance that PMI will borrow content from the PMI-ACP exam and incorporate it into the PMP certification test.
Additionally, there are several other miscellaneous changes that will affect the exam in small and possibly big ways.