Maybe first we should ask the reader if we know the difference between the PMBOK and the PMBOK Guide?
Second, the guide is only a guide. It is not the holy book.
So,
Why many PMP and PMI students feel like the answers to every question lies in the PMBOK Guide? What trigger this post is another post when we mentioned firing someone. The response was "it does not align with the PMBOK Guide". Although this is what triggered this post, there are many situations like this.
For example, before 6th edition, the guide did not talk about benefits management - so does that mean managing projects should not consider this topic?
Also before the latest edition, the guide did not talk about stage gates, does not mean we do not need gates on projects?
The guide does not offer a clear project life cycle, does it mean we do not need life cycles? Or it is ok to confuse the process groups as project phases and the project life cycle? Saving Changes...
Notice, in your writing - I know this is for convenience - you refer to the book that PMI publishes as the "PMBOK" and you know that is not correct.
Again, I know many use it for convenience but if you notice in my own writing, I will always use the PMBOK Guide or the guide --- unless i made a mistake, I never use PMBOK
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Dec 10, 2017 4:12 PM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Mounir, is it because the ANSI standard you refer to is old and outdated? I believe the PMBOK 5th edition is aligned with ANSI/PMI 99-001-2013, the updated PM standard from ANSI. I also believe the PMBOK is also aligned with the ISO standard for project management 21500. But I could be wrong.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I love your response. This is why I love this community. Such a depth of experience, knowledge, and experiences. I learn so much here.
It is very interesting to hear how the PMI PMBOK is view around the globe. I need to expand my horizons. :) Saving Changes...
It is interesting that unlike in other professions where there is no single authoritative reference for performing a role, novice PMs fixate on the Guide as a sole source and complain when it doesn't cover something. Imagine if a physician tried to practice medicine purely using Gray's Anatomy!
The confusion with Process Groups is an unfortunate by-product of companies using similar names for the phases in their (usually waterfall-like) methodologies.
I like the Disciplined Agile use of Inception-Construction-Transition to steer well clear of the Process Group names...
Kiron Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Dec 10, 2017 10:41 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
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I love your response. This is why I love this community. Such a depth of experience, knowledge, and experiences. I learn so much here.
It is very interesting to hear how the PMI PMBOK is view around the globe. I need to expand my horizons. :)
Andrew
:)
Did you notice you are using the PMI PMBOK? Technically, no such thing exists :) Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Dec 10, 2017 11:22 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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It is interesting that unlike in other professions where there is no single authoritative reference for performing a role, novice PMs fixate on the Guide as a sole source and complain when it doesn't cover something. Imagine if a physician tried to practice medicine purely using Gray's Anatomy!
The confusion with Process Groups is an unfortunate by-product of companies using similar names for the phases in their (usually waterfall-like) methodologies.
I like the Disciplined Agile use of Inception-Construction-Transition to steer well clear of the Process Group names...
Kiron
Kiron
I think the confusion on the process group is primarily PMI fault and responsibility. Why do I say this:
1. The PMBOK Guide clearly states that the process group repeat in every phase, yet they use names for some processes that contradict the text. Develop Project Charter, Develop Project Team, Control Project Work, etc. So if these processes repeat in every phase then would not be more appropriate to name these processes Develop Phase Charter --- or Develop Charter (without Phase or Project) --- or Develop Project or Phase Charter?
2. I have seen many articles, videos, case studies published on PMI owned sites that claim that the project life cycle consists of Initiating, Planning ... including controlling. At least, PMI should have required them to state that this does NOT align with the guide.
3. Almost everyone I know, I know about this problem -- so I am sure PMI knows about it as well, but outside the PMBOK Guide, there has been no post or message by PMI on social media and other sites correcting people.
4. The absence of project life cycles images in the guide (before the 6th edition) did not help.
5. REPs and chapters make this mistake as well - but no correction from PMI. I thought there are stringent quality control of REPs.
6. In regard to companies using those names as phases, with exception to Execution Phase (very common in capital projects), I do not see many companies (at least in the past) that had the names of phases like that. On the contrary, most of those that have such names they say they are applying the "PMBOK Methodology"
Regards Saving Changes...
Anonymous
By the way - did anyone notice the ANSI Standard stamp has been removed from the PMBOK Guide; anyone know why :)?
But we still have Global Standard - can anyone tell us who - or what organization award such a status?
My point? PMI does contribute to the confusion, consciously or by mistake?
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1 reply by Dan Balean
Dec 10, 2017 10:06 PM
Dan Balean
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To be honest with you... I don't have an answer for you. But Part 2, the Standard, still carries the ANSI stamp.
As I mentioned above, ANSI standards are US standards and do not have jurisdiction globally, unless they were jointly adopted and issued by ISO.
I believe the answer to your question lays in the semantics, a Guide vs. a Standard.
For further reading, you may want to follow the link below:
https://www.trade.gov/td/standards/United%...-%20English.pdf
Saving Changes...
Dan BaleanOperations Mgmt.| 2089956 Ontario Inc.Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
I believe "global" standards are ISO standards; ANSI is an American institution. ISO standards have ANSI analogues, but the opposite is not always true.
I am amazed how deep a knowledge of the PMBOK, and guide, you folks have, it is like you are true scholars and quote from it as from the Holy Book.
I am not into IT, where the PMBOK was intended originally to be used, but I do use it as a guideline and reference to streamline and standardize some processes in my line of work.
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2 replies by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Dec 10, 2017 4:14 PM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Dan has a point, ISO is global and ANSI is well "smaller" ;-)
Dec 10, 2017 11:55 PM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Dan, well there are companies in Australia that use ANSI if that's what you mean, not least because there are US and non-US companies in Australia selling US products/services that are aligned with ANSI. Far more use ISO for obvious reasons.
Actually I do believe the PMBOK (Guide) is the gold standard in PM processes. It is not the be all and end all of PM practices, but it is the best known go-to-guide. The Prince2 methodology is another go to reference, and I am reluctant to call this the silver standard, as they really can't be compared, and my friends in the Prince2 will lynch me if I call it the silver standard. It is indeed the gold standard for PM methodology however. Saving Changes...
Mounir, is it because the ANSI standard you refer to is old and outdated? I believe the PMBOK 5th edition is aligned with ANSI/PMI 99-001-2013, the updated PM standard from ANSI. I also believe the PMBOK is also aligned with the ISO standard for project management 21500. But I could be wrong. Saving Changes...
I believe "global" standards are ISO standards; ANSI is an American institution. ISO standards have ANSI analogues, but the opposite is not always true.
I am amazed how deep a knowledge of the PMBOK, and guide, you folks have, it is like you are true scholars and quote from it as from the Holy Book.
I am not into IT, where the PMBOK was intended originally to be used, but I do use it as a guideline and reference to streamline and standardize some processes in my line of work.
Dan has a point, ISO is global and ANSI is well "smaller" ;-)
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1 reply by Dan Balean
Dec 10, 2017 9:55 PM
Dan Balean
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Do you use any ANSI standards in Australia? Just curious.
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