The Critical Path

by Brian Grafsgaard, Standards Member Advisory Group

Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned veteran, you have probably been aware of not only the growth in the application of project management across industries and organizations, but the rapid pace of change we have seen within the profession, especially over the last few years. On larger initiatives it is not unusual to see a mix of value delivery approaches, from prescriptive, plan-driven approaches to more adaptive approaches.

We as practitioners are often required to integrate these approaches in order to realize the intended outcomes, at the right time, and for the right price. The balancing act of simultaneously managing scope, schedule, and cost has now extended to finding the right balance between approaches, based on the profile of the project(s) and expected outcomes.

For decades now—since its inception as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) in 1987—A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) has served as a reference to effectively manage “most projects most of the time”. The PMBOK® Guide has provided the foundation for the science of project management, enabling us as practitioners to practice the art. The PMBOK® Guide—which was always intended to be adapted to the project and situation at hand—has evolved and adapted over the years to include advances in core processes.

The associated Standard for Project Management provided the underpinning “fundamentals” of project management and how the processes could be applied. The art of project management is, in part, based on the application of these fundamentals and the particular value delivery approach being taken. It could be said that the art is based on the principles of project management that we all carry with us and continue to adapt and apply each day (and continue to learn as well).

This continuous learning has allowed both The Standard for Project Management and the PMBOK® Guide to evolve and adapt to support the growth of project management as a discipline, as well as changes in how project management is applied. Like previous editions of the PMBOK® Guide, the upcoming seventh edition recognizes that the project delivery landscape continues to evolve and adapt and that the pace of change is accelerating. New technologies as well as the need for organizational agility have introduced new project team structures and project/product delivery methods with a stronger focus on outcomes rather than deliverables.

These changes, as well as other factors, have created the opportunity—and even the imperative—to update the resources we rely upon as practitioners of project management. Consequently, several teams of volunteers and PMI staff have formed to define and develop the next generation of The Standard for Project Management and associated PMBOK® Guide.

The seventh edition will be developed with the following questions in mind:

1. How can The Standard for Project Management evolve to reflect the foundational concepts applicable to all projects, regardless of the type of project or delivery approach selected? The standards team has begun by engaging members around the world to identify the fundamental principles of managing projects that form the essential elements of project management.

2. How can A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge capture and summarize the knowledge relevant to overseeing the work of the project? The standards team is also focusing on defining the “spheres” or domains that influence overall project performance.

The standards teams, with your help, will continue to explore the answers to these questions as they develop the next edition of the PMBOK® Guide and continue the rich history of providing value to practitioners and their organizations. We hope you will join us for the journey!

Brian Grafsgaard is a member of the Standards Member Advisory Group. He possesses over 20 years of experience leading the development and integration of complex, enterprise-class solutions as a Program and Project Manager in multiple industries.

Stay tuned to the Critical Path blog for updates and opportunities to share your thoughts and reactions around how we are progressing on our Standards journey. Learn more here.

Join us Thursday, March 22^nd for PMXPO 2018! ProjectManagement.com is once again excited to bring you its annual virtual conference and exhibition—the 11th edition of its successful show! We broke our attendance record again last year, and want you to join us as we start our second decade of the largest virtual event in project management! Whether you’re a seasoned PM or new to the field, it's your opportunity to learn, network with thousands of your peers, earn PDUs and a badge, and broaden your perspective on project management—all from the comfort of your home or office. And best of all, it’s all free!

Keynote Presentation—The Simpsons: There's No "I" in "Innovation" (oh wait, there's actually two of them)...Lessons in Innovation from the Most Successful Show in TV History

Joel Cohen, Emmy-Winning Writer and Producer of The Simpsons

Register Now for PMXPO 2018!

If you have a PMI certification, we've made it even easier to display your accomplishment!

PMI has partnered with Acclaim to provide you with a digital badge that proudly displays your professional qualifications and achievements. Plus, your badge comes with valuable job market information so that you can keep your career moving forward.

Your badge is a digital version of your certification, skills and qualifications. It allows you to easily show your colleagues, friends or potential employers:

• When you earned the certification
• What key skills are associated with the certification
• What it takes to qualify for the certification
• The work you do to actively maintain the certification

You can share your badge on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, in an email signature or embed it in a website. And, you can share your accomplishment with anyone, anywhere—it’s up to you!

Don't want to share your badge? No problem! You can claim your badge without sharing it and still have the ability to access it whenever you need to quickly verify your certification status.

But how do you actually claim your badge? You will receive an email from Acclaim notifying you that PMI has issued you a badge. Click the Accept button below your badge image. This will take you to the Acclaim page, where you will create an account to claim your badge. Once you've confirmed your e-mail address, then you can sign into Acclaim to claim your badge and share your achievement!

For more information regarding PMI Certification Digital Badges and claiming your badge, visit https://www.pmi.org/certifications/digital-badges.

In case you haven't heard, the date for the PMP® credential exam update, originally scheduled to go live November 2015, has been changed! The PMP® credential exam update will now take place on 11 January 2016.

What does this mean for you as a credential examination candidate? That means that you now have additional time to take the current version of the PMP® examination before the update goes into effect! If you need additional information regarding the updates to the exam, please visit http://www.pmi.org/certification/exam-changes.aspx. 

We wish you the best as you prepare to obtain your PMP® credential!

*photo by Alberto G. via Flickr at http://flic.kr/p/9UnRWS