What are the most significant PMBOK changes in the last five years?

1 Agile and adaptive approaches

One of the biggest changes in the PMBOK sixth edition is the increased emphasis on agile and adaptive approaches to project management. Agile is a set of principles and practices that focus on delivering value to customers through iterative and incremental development, collaboration, and feedback. Adaptive approaches are those that can respond to changing requirements, risks, and opportunities in complex and uncertain environments. The PMBOK sixth edition recognizes that these approaches are not only suitable for software projects, but also for many other types of projects in different industries and domains. The PMBOK sixth edition also provides guidance on how to tailor the project management processes and tools to fit the specific context and needs of each project, whether it follows a predictive, agile, or hybrid approach.

2 The role of the project manager

Another important change in the PMBOK sixth edition is the expanded description of the role and competencies of the project manager. The PMBOK sixth edition acknowledges that the project manager is not only responsible for managing the project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and resources, but also for leading and influencing the project team, stakeholders, and organization. The PMBOK sixth edition also defines the three dimensions of project management competencies: technical, strategic and business, and leadership. Technical competencies include the knowledge and skills related to the project management processes and tools. Strategic and business competencies include the ability to align the project objectives with the organizational strategy, vision, and values. Leadership competencies include the ability to motivate, inspire, communicate, and collaborate with others. The PMBOK sixth edition emphasizes that the project manager needs to develop and balance these competencies to deliver successful projects in a dynamic and competitive environment.

3 The project management processes

The PMBOK sixth edition also introduces some changes in the structure and organization of the project management processes. The PMBOK defines a process as a set of interrelated actions and activities that are performed to achieve a specific outcome. The PMBOK groups the processes into five process groups: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The PMBOK also categorizes the processes into 10 knowledge areas: integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholder management. The PMBOK sixth edition adds a new process called Manage Project Knowledge, which belongs to the integration knowledge area and the executing process group. This process aims to capture, share, and use the knowledge generated during the project to improve the project performance and outcomes. The PMBOK sixth edition also renames two processes: Perform Quality Assurance becomes Manage Quality, and Control Communications becomes Monitor Communications. These changes reflect the shift from controlling to managing and monitoring the project quality and communications.

4 The project management tools and techniques

The PMBOK sixth edition also updates and expands the project management tools and techniques that are used to perform the project management processes. Tools and techniques are the methods and devices that help the project manager and the project team to plan, execute, and control the project. The PMBOK sixth edition adds several new tools and techniques, such as agile release planning, backlog management, burn-up and burn-down charts, cumulative flow diagrams, kanban boards, and retrospectives. These tools and techniques are mainly related to agile and adaptive approaches and help the project team to deliver value to customers faster and more efficiently. The PMBOK sixth edition also modifies some existing tools and techniques, such as stakeholder analysis, data analysis, data representation, decision making, and interpersonal and team skills. These changes reflect the increased importance of stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision making, and team collaboration and communication in project management.

5 The project management trends and practices

The PMBOK sixth edition incorporates the latest trends and practices in project management, such as the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data to automate and optimize tasks and processes. It also encourages the adoption of social media, cloud computing, and mobile technologies to improve communication and collaboration. Additionally, it emphasizes the integration of sustainability, social responsibility, and ethics into project management processes and outcomes. Lastly, it promotes the development of project management skills and competencies that are aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle - technical, strategic and business, and leadership domains - to help project managers deliver value while managing complexity and uncertainty.