You probably saw that the seventh edition of the PMBOK is released today. I am curious to read your feedback here. On my side, I just started reading, and my first impression: many good additions including a more adaptive way of working. However, I feel it is a good continuation to the sixth edition which I will keep referring to. I also had a quick look at the PMI standards but didn't find a way how to correlate the two contents yet.
I would appreciate reading your feedback when possible. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
The most unusable piece of work I read from the PMI. I think people will not use it and will continue to use version 6. Unfortunatelly I lived the same situation with the IIBA time ago. Now I understand why there was not a public draft review of the guide. Saving Changes...
As you can tell from Sergio's response, it has been a very polarizing update in the PM community. Some people like the revamp whereas others detest it. I would agree with Sergio that given how long it took the volunteer committee to develop and release it, they could have allowed for more feedback.
The principles orientation is a welcome shift for me. The process-centric approach of previous editions encouraged tailoring laziness whereas the current approach puts tailoring front and foremost, whether that is lifecycle choices or specific tools & techniques.
I was part of one of the teams who did the preliminary review on things like the principles, domains and other core elements. I provided a lot of feedback, some of which was incorporated.
I've ordered the hardcopy version (50% off for PMI members) and will take the time to read it thoroughly once I get that as I find my attention span for reading content in a PDF document is less than a traditional format.
Kiron
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Jul 03, 2021 8:28 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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Hi Kiron, just to exchange some comments with you, let me say I have no problem with the orientation. In fact, the certification exam content outline document, which is the basement for creating certification exam questions, is domain oriented. Like you, I was part of the preliminary version of the standard but, as far as I know, the guide was not for public review. When I read this guide version, in a first sight, I found a mess because some of the things in the old version are still there so there is not a clear orientation. But what it was sad for me is with this version, I think, people that performs project management outside the software domain is "discriminated". I think the PMI is trying to make compatible the PMBOK with DA way of working and principles. But unfortunately it has not been achieved. If the intention of the PMI is that (make both compatible) I think the PMI must think outside the software domain and take the advantage and power of DA which is something that can be used without problems outside the software domain.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Jul 03, 2021 8:02 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Soha -
As you can tell from Sergio's response, it has been a very polarizing update in the PM community. Some people like the revamp whereas others detest it. I would agree with Sergio that given how long it took the volunteer committee to develop and release it, they could have allowed for more feedback.
The principles orientation is a welcome shift for me. The process-centric approach of previous editions encouraged tailoring laziness whereas the current approach puts tailoring front and foremost, whether that is lifecycle choices or specific tools & techniques.
I was part of one of the teams who did the preliminary review on things like the principles, domains and other core elements. I provided a lot of feedback, some of which was incorporated.
I've ordered the hardcopy version (50% off for PMI members) and will take the time to read it thoroughly once I get that as I find my attention span for reading content in a PDF document is less than a traditional format.
Kiron
Hi Kiron, just to exchange some comments with you, let me say I have no problem with the orientation. In fact, the certification exam content outline document, which is the basement for creating certification exam questions, is domain oriented. Like you, I was part of the preliminary version of the standard but, as far as I know, the guide was not for public review. When I read this guide version, in a first sight, I found a mess because some of the things in the old version are still there so there is not a clear orientation. But what it was sad for me is with this version, I think, people that performs project management outside the software domain is "discriminated". I think the PMI is trying to make compatible the PMBOK with DA way of working and principles. But unfortunately it has not been achieved. If the intention of the PMI is that (make both compatible) I think the PMI must think outside the software domain and take the advantage and power of DA which is something that can be used without problems outside the software domain. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Soha
In some way, I do agree with my fellow colleagues Kiron and Sergio. Some parts feels like a welcome change for me (such as the principles), while others, I feel neutral about them. Overall, I find the 6th edition of the PMBOK much more well structured and comprehensive than the 7th edition.
As for your confusion about the correlation between the Standard of PM and the Body of Knowledge, have a look at page 14 in the PDF (Page xiii in the actual book). The figure might help with this confusion and you will see the change between both editions. The changes from the 6th to the 7th edition were drastic so it might take time for many to absorb and correlate.
I was also part of one group that did the review of the PMBOK Guide, provided lots of comments which some were incorporated as well. Before I provide further solid feedback about the new edition, I want first to go through it in details so I ordered a paperback copy and will go through it as soon as I receive it. I am old school, I like to read and mark the book physically, not digitally.
Thanks all.
Me too, I prefer reading paper books. I just ordered both editions (hard copies) for ref and for comparison purposes. I loved the sixth edition as it was structured and easy to follow. So keeping it handy. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Hi Soha
also I still have to read the new edition and cannot compare the content at this time.
The reasons for a seismic change were manyfold (size of the book, shift to principles, ISO standard changes, agile inclusion, being prepared for more frequent updates of knowledge etc).
There were many experienced volunteers involved, only a few of them were influential though, given PMI's process focus. But it is a good thing, granting the PMBoK permission and relevance.
My current concern is that PMP applicants will need to consider not only ed6 but also ed7 and much more - which makes the exam more uncertain and ambiguous and the preparation more cumbersome. Maybe the now global standard exam prep slideset can help a bit.
I am looking forward how upcoming changes to the PM or changemaker profession will be covered. Look out for AI inclusion, leadership, really complex projects.
Thomas Saving Changes...
Phil AkinwaleProject Management & Leadership Speaker, Coach, Trainer & Author| PRAIZIONMesa, Az, United States
Much needed thread Soha. Thanks for creating it. Very interesting comments from our esteemed colleagues all of which I incorporated into my PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition multi-point assessment YT webinar 7/5. In terms of value, it is subjective but I'd tell anyone to hold on tightly to their Agile Practice Guide and Sixth Edition! Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
HI Soha,
I am yet to learn hands on the new edition... But I can trust my senior colleagues Sergio & Kiron's analyses on the matter Saving Changes...
Michael HilbertDirector of Project Management| TuWay CommunicationsBethlehem, Pa, United States
Soha,
Thanks for your post. I too have ordered the hard copy of the 7th edition for reference and review. I understand from comments on other posts that the 7th edition will complement, not replace, the 6th edition. I can see where this will be confusing to those aspiring for the PMP/CAPM unless there is clear guidance on the exam criteria moving forward. Does anyone know if there is a road map for the 8th edition to combine 6th ed, Agile Supplement and 7th ed into a single document?
Regards,
Mike
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Jul 06, 2021 7:23 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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Hi Michael. As I mentioned I was not directly involved in the guide creation. I was reviewer in the standard. But at the same time I was working on creation and reviewing of other standards then what I heard and understood from the PMI is that the new guide is like an "index" and people will find the details inside the PMIstandards+ site. The body of knowledge is inside the PMIstandards+ site, not inside the guide itself as we can see in previous versions. When I saw the final version of the guide I did not perceived that.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Jul 06, 2021 6:52 AM
Replying to Michael Hilbert
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Soha,
Thanks for your post. I too have ordered the hard copy of the 7th edition for reference and review. I understand from comments on other posts that the 7th edition will complement, not replace, the 6th edition. I can see where this will be confusing to those aspiring for the PMP/CAPM unless there is clear guidance on the exam criteria moving forward. Does anyone know if there is a road map for the 8th edition to combine 6th ed, Agile Supplement and 7th ed into a single document?
Regards,
Mike
Hi Michael. As I mentioned I was not directly involved in the guide creation. I was reviewer in the standard. But at the same time I was working on creation and reviewing of other standards then what I heard and understood from the PMI is that the new guide is like an "index" and people will find the details inside the PMIstandards+ site. The body of knowledge is inside the PMIstandards+ site, not inside the guide itself as we can see in previous versions. When I saw the final version of the guide I did not perceived that. Saving Changes...
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