Agile Project Management Practices are now part of the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition!
On September 6th 2017, the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition was released and since March 26, 2018, the PMP® exam has based on the Sixth Edition of the PMBOK® Guide.
The sixth edition of the PMBOK® Guide contains a combination of both subtle and significant changes. We no longer , for example, “manage time”, but rather practice “schedule management”. Likewise “stakeholder management” is out, and “stakeholder engagement” is in.
One of the most significant changes to PMBOK® Guide — Sixth Edition, is the addition of Agile Project Management techniques. For the first time, each project management knowledge area now includes a section entitled “Approaches for Agile, Iterative and Adaptive Environments”. These sections provide descriptions of how agile practices may be integrated within the traditional project environment. An appendix will include additional detail on agile and on other adaptive and iterative approaches.
The sixth edition also includes greater emphasis on strategic and business knowledge, including discussions on project management business documents.
Together the changes within this latest edition of the PMBOK® Guide signal both the maturing and evolving of project management.
For a complete analysis of the changes between the 5th and the 6th Edition of the PMBOK® Guide, watch Kiron Bondale walk you through what you need to know, in the webinar recording PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!
For some perspective on how to start integrating agile techniques within a more traditional waterfall environment, watch Kiron’s recent live presentation in YouTube titled “It’s hard being agile while getting drenched in a waterfall.“
Important: June 30, 2020 will be the last day to write the PMP exam before it changes!
Recently, PMI announced that another significant change will be made to the PMP Exam. In their initial announcement, PMI originally indicated that the last date to write the current version of the PMP exam would be December 15, 2019. On August 27, 2019, PMI updated their announcement and indicated that the changes to the exam will not be made until July 1, 2020.
While the PMP exam will continue to be based on the current version of the PMBOK® Guide, after June 30, 2020 the exam itself will undergo significant changes.
Why the PMP exam is changing
Every 3- 5 years, PMI conducts research to understand how the project management industry is changing, and the impact of emerging trends and the role of project managers. The previous review conducted in 2015 resulted in the current version of the PMP Exam.
While it is impossible to say at this point whether or not the changes will ultimately result in a more difficult or simplified exam, what we do know, is that after June 30, 2020, up to 50% of the questions on the exam will be based on agile project management or hybrid approaches to project management (currently, writers of the PMP exam generally only see a few questions related to on agile and/or hybrid approaches to project management)
For an overview of the actual changes and how they compare to the current exam click here.
Our recommendations
For those planning on writing the exam within the next 12 months, we therefore recommend the following:
- Plan to write the exam sooner than later.
Schedule your exam sooner than later — if you don’t pass the first time (yes that is a possibility regardless of the exam prep training you take), you will want to have enough time to re-take the exam before the exam changes on July 1, 2020.For participants of our public sessions – if you don’t pass the exam the first time, you can take the course again at the same location within 12 months at no charge*
* If you require updated course materials, you will only have to pay for the cost of these materials
- Don’t wait to the last minute to book your exam.
Traditionally, whenever there is a significant change in the PMP exam, there is a rush on the number of people who want to schedule their exam prior to when the changes go into affect. Our advice — schedule your exam early to improve your chances of being able to select the date and location that will work best with your schedule.
We will update this recommendation as we know more.
Other Considerations:
- Once you open your exam application with PMI, you have 90 days to complete and submit it.
- Once PMI approves your application, you have one year to pass the exam. Sometimes, more than one attempt is necessary so be sure to leave enough time to re-take the exam before your eligibility expires (one year after your application is approved).