The word 'PMBOK' stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge, and it's an entire collection of terminologies, processes, guidelines, and best practices that are accepted as standard within the project management field.

The Guide is considered the most valuable asset for organizations as it aids them standardizes practices across a wide range of departments, customizing processes to suit particular prerequisites, and preventing project failures. It is also a top study resource for the PMP credential test.

As the body of knowledge evolves as practitioners come upon novel practices or best approaches, it must be regularly revised and disseminated. This endeavor is governed by a global non-profit member association of project management, the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Many aspirants are already knowledgeable about what's in the PMI PMBOK Guide, or do they know what the Guide is? However, the term 'PMBOK Guide' will be new for fresh PMP enthusiasts.

Therefore, considering the newcomers in the project management industry, this blog will answer the questions:

• What is PMBOK Guide?
• Why PMBOK Guide Ed 7?
• Comparison between PMBOK Guide Ed 6 and Ed 7.
• Is PMP Exam 2022 Based on PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Most of the aspirants are perplexed on the last point: whether the PMP exam will change this year and will the exam be based on the PMBOK Guide's latest version. Stay tuned for the answer.

What Exactly is PMBOK Guide?

The PMBOK Guide is an instructional book consisting of fundamental standards, guidelines, and terminologies to assist professionals in managing diverse projects.

It breaks project management processes down into five - initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing, which can be integrated into your choice of project methodology.

PMI attempts to integrate standards that reveal the upgraded practices in portfolio, project, and program management professions via the PMBOK Guide.

PMI ensures regular updating of all the standard products, keeping this in mind. The first edition of PMBOK Guide was released in 1996, and its latest version - PMBOK Guide Ed 7 fin August 2021.

Other than the 5 processes, there are other disciplines included in the Guide: organizational behavior, budgeting and forecasting, management science, and different planning approaches.

The PMBOK Guide is developed by active project management experts and subject matter luminaries. In addition, the project management community reviews it before its release to ensure that the Guide reflects the profession's current state.

Why PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Over the last few years, emerging technologies, new methods, and swift market transformations have changed how we work, driving the profession to advance. To meet these challenges, better align to how professionals work today, and assist them to be more innovative, dynamic, and agile, PMI has released A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Ed 7.

Quick Facts on the PMBOK Guide Ed 7:

• Reflects the full range of development approaches such as agile, predictive, hybrid, traditional, and more. 
• Offers a complete section dedicated to personalizing the development method and processes.
• Expands the list of techniques and tools in a new area - Models, Methods, and Artifacts.
• Target project results in addition to deliverables. 
• Incorporate with PMIstandards+ for access to content that aids individuals in applying their knowledge on the job.

With both The Standard for Project Management and the PMBOK Guide, the seventh edition includes 12 project management principles and 8 project performance domains crucial for the effective delivery of project results.

PMI has published the seventh edition in English and 9 other languages, which are:

• Korean
• Spanish
• Simplified Chinese
• French
• Arabic
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Russian
• Italian

Edition 6 Vs Edition 7 of PMBOK Guide

Is PMP Exam 2022 Based on PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Many PMP aspirants are under the wrong impression that the PMP test is based on the PMBOK Guide. The accreditation is not dependable on certain books but on the Exam Content Outline (ECO). However, the exam follows PMBOK Guide as a significant reference study resource.

The ECO is similar to an exam syllabus, with its current version being released in January 2021. The ECO is revised by PMI every 4-5 years. According to the January 2021 ECO, there are 3 domains - People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%), and each of these domains has multiple tasks. 

The PMI has published an article containing a list of reference materials to prepare for the PMP exam. According to that article: The seventh edition of the Guide will be a reference to inform the development of the exam; however, before the addition of additional items to the test, there will be a thorough review and field test cycle. This procedure takes more than just 2 months. 

Hence, it's clear that the introduction of PMBOK Guide Ed 7 questions in the PMP exam is still far away. However, if the format of the exam has changed, PMI will surely make an announcement beforehand.

Concluding Thoughts

PMP is a complicated exam, with its difficulty level increasing due to uncertainties around study materials and passing criteria. As a result, several enthusiasts don't attempt or go for PMP because of these lingering uncertainties.

In our opinion, you should not get dejected by the things that aren't under your hold. Instead, try to focus on things you can hold, such as selecting a good training program and striving harder for the credential test.

We hope the article has helped you gain a better idea of the PMBOK Guide and its relation to the PMP exam. Please feel free to mention this in the comment section below in case of any queries.

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