PMBOK Guide: 6th edition vs 7th edition what are the differences

The PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide has undergone significant changes from the 6th to the 7th edition. One of the key differences is the shift from a process-based approach in the 6th edition to a principle-based approach in the 7th edition. The 6th edition is structured around 49 processes grouped into ten knowledge areas and five process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing. In contrast, the 7th edition focuses on 12 project management principles and eight performance domains, moving away from the detailed process orientation of its predecessor.

Another major difference is the organization around knowledge areas in the 6th edition, such as Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communication, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management. The 7th edition replaces these with performance domains, which include Stakeholder, Team, Development Approach and Life Cycle, Planning, Project Work, Delivery, Measurement, and Uncertainty. This shift reflects a broader and more flexible approach to project management.

Embracing Agile and Hybrid Approaches

The emphasis on methodologies also changes significantly. The 6th edition primarily emphasizes predictive (waterfall) methodologies, with some discussion of agile approaches. In contrast, the 7th edition places a stronger emphasis on adaptive, agile, and hybrid approaches, reflecting the growing use of these methodologies in the industry. This change highlights the importance of being adaptable and responsive to project needs.

Tailoring guidance is another area of difference. While the 6th edition provides some guidance on tailoring processes to meet project needs, the 7th edition emphasizes tailoring throughout, encouraging practitioners to adapt principles and performance domains to the specific context of their projects. This makes the 7th edition more flexible and applicable to a wider range of project environments.

Flexibility and Inclusion

The 7th edition introduces new elements such as models, methods, and artifacts, providing a broader range of tools and practices compared to the 6th edition, which lists tools and techniques within each process. The concept of value delivery also shifts from focusing on delivering project outputs in the 6th edition to emphasizing delivering value and outcomes in the 7th edition. This aligns projects more closely with organizational strategy and goals, ensuring that they contribute to broader business objectives.

The language and presentation have been simplified in the 7th edition to make it more inclusive and easier to understand for a broader audience. Unlike the 6th edition, which uses more technical project management jargon, the 7th edition uses simpler, more accessible language. It also introduces 12 guiding principles that provide a foundation for effective project management practices, a feature not present in the 6th edition.

The 7th edition highlights the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and team engagement, which are less explicitly focused on in the 6th edition. Additionally, it encourages continuous professional development and learning to adapt to the evolving nature of projects and environments, beyond the process-focused guidance of the 6th edition.

These changes reflect PMI's effort to keep the PMBOK Guide relevant and aligned with the evolving practices and needs of the project management community.

Which version should I know for the PMP Exam?

Both.

If you are preparing to take the PMP exam, you are probably aware it uses a lot of content from the PMBOK guide which leaves the big question... Which version of PMBOK do you need to know?

At the time this article was written (July, 2024) the latest PMI exam does include content from both PMBOK 6 and PMBOK 7. The PMBOK guides are pretty big, 300+ pages when in PDF form, and that is unfortunately a lot of reading, but if you want to be fully prepared for the PMP exam you should know both editions before making your first attempt!