PMBOK
PMI publishes the PMBOK®, or Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, as the project management standard. For this purpose, it serves as a reference for project managers worldwide. PMI published the first edition of the PMBOK Guide in 1996. Finally, the latest and most recent edition is the seventh edition, published in 2021.
Regarding the PMP exam, PMI updated it in January 2021. Although the new PMBOK Guide was released later, it already reflected the changes the PMBOK introduced to project management.
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The Evolution of the PMBOK Guide
As new practices, methods, and tools emerge, we must update and share knowledge within the community. Consequently, PMI captures this knowledge to publish and distribute it as a standard, such as the PMBOK Guide.
PMBOK Guide – A Best Practices Guide
This guide logically structures project management knowledge based on internationally recognized best practices. As a result, this organization of knowledge translates into a collection of best practices generally accepted as standards.
In other words, “generally accepted” means that the knowledge and practices described are applicable to most projects, most of the time. Therefore, there is a broad consensus on their value and usefulness. Furthermore, “best practice” means there is a general agreement that applying these processes, knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques can increase the chances of success in many projects.
PMBOK 6th Edition – A Process-Based Guide
The PMBOK Guide 6th Edition describes how work is performed through processes, using a process-based approach. Accordingly, this approach aligns with other management standards, such as ISO 9000 and CMMI from the Software Engineering Institute.
In this context, processes overlap and also interact throughout a project and its various phases. For this purpose, these processes include:
- Inputs (outputs from other processes, decisions, etc.)
- Tools and Techniques
- Outputs (plans, designs, etc.)
Finally, the PMBOK Guide identifies 47 processes, divided into five basic process groups and ten knowledge areas that are typical of most projects.
PMBOK 7th Edition
The Project Management Institute (PMI) released the seventh edition of the PMBOK Guide in August 2021. This new guide reflects the changes PMI made to the PMP exam in January 2021. Consequently, the PMBOK® 7th Edition represents a significant shift from previous editions of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Unlike earlier versions, which focused on processes, the 7th edition emphasizes principles and performance domains, making it more adaptable to various project environments, including agile, hybrid, and traditional approaches.
Key Changes in PMBOK 7th Edition:
- Shift from Process-Oriented to Principle-Based Approach
- Previous editions structured project management around process groups and knowledge areas.
- The 7th edition moves to 12 principles that guide project management behavior.
- Introduction of Eight Performance Domains
- Instead of defining fixed processes, the guide now organizes project work into performance domains such as stakeholders, team, development approach, and delivery.
- Greater Emphasis on Value Delivery
- The 7th edition highlights outcomes over outputs, ensuring that project efforts contribute to business value.
- Incorporation of Tailoring and Adaptability
- The PMI encourages project managers to tailor their approach based on project needs rather than following a rigid framework.
- Integration with Agile and Hybrid Approaches
- Unlike previous editions, which leaned toward predictive (waterfall) methodologies, the 7th edition aligns with agile and hybrid practices, reflecting modern project environments.
- The PMBOK Guide as a Digital Resource
- PMI now provides an online, continuously updated “PMBOK Guide Digital Content” to keep up with evolving project management practices.
PMBOK® 8th Edition
The PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition is currently in development, with the Project Management Institute (PMI) actively gathering feedback from the project management community. The draft was open for public review and comment until January 19, 2025.
Although an official release date has not been confirmed, the final version is expected to be published in late 2025, likely in the third or fourth quarter.
Finally, a group of volunteers contributes to developing this collection of processes, best practices, terminology, and guidelines. This is because they spend months working on and reviewing the standard. In short, project management knowledge is constantly evolving. The latest project management trends, often driven by project management consultants, may not influence the most recent version of the PMBOK Guide as a result.