Planning to take the PMP^® exam this year? Not sure if you should get your exam application in quickly and get it over with while the fourth edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide) is still the basis of the PMP^® exam? Or should you wait until after July and learn all about the PMBOK^® Guide fifth edition?

On this page:

• Changes and Streamlining in the PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition
• Transitioning to the PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition
• Velopi’s Assistance in PMP® Exam Preparation

Changes and Streamlining in the PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition

At first glance, it looks like the PMBOK^® Guide fourth edition is the better bet, particularly if you have already attended a PMP^® preparation course. The fifth edition has introduced a new project management knowledge area and the overall number of processes has grown from 42 to 47. But, if you look more closely, you will see a different picture.

Transitioning to the PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition

Firstly, the new knowledge area is not actually new. What the Project Management Institute (PMI) has done is taken the Stakeholder Management part of Communications Management out and given it its own area. This is a logical move and one that highlights the importance of stakeholders in project management.

Secondly, there are been significant streamlining of the terminology used. Although the number of processes has increased, the number of verbs being used to describe them has dropped from 21 to 18. For instance, in each knowledge area besides Integration, you now have a “Plan” process in the Planning process group. Similarly, instead of using the verbs Control, Perform, Report, Monitor and Administer in the Monitor & Control group, these have been harmonized into one verb, Control.

Thirdly, if you have, like me, spent some time learning that validation is about building the right product and verification is about building the product right, then you will be glad to see that PMI has corrected its Scope Management area and now uses Validate Scope instead of Verify Scope.

Velopi’s Assistance in PMP® Exam Preparation

In short, the PMBOK^® Guide fifth edition gives you more material to cover, but it should be easier to learn. In essence though, there should be no surprises moving to the new version – all the old project management techniques are there – critical path method, earned value analysis, qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, etc.

In other words, if your schedule means you really would not be ready for the exam before July 31st, don’t panic – the PMBOK^® Guide fifth edition is no more (or no less) demanding than the fourth.

Whichever path you choose, Velopi is here to assist. We will continue to provide a managed end to end solution taking you from the application process, through the training course and provide you access to our web accessible PMP^® exam simulator. Our PMP^® preparation courses will continue to be run in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. As the changeover date approaches, these will be moved over to the new PMBoK® edition. However, if someone has a PMP^® exam booking scheduled for before the end of July, the old PMP^® preparation course materials will be used to assist that person. You can see a full summary of the exact changeover dates for all the PMI certification in this post.

If you want to discuss your options and get advice on your own particular situation, please contact Velopi and one of our training instructors will be happy to talk you through the process and timelines of getting PMP^® certification.