The clock's ticking...
I know, I know...
It seems like only yesterday that we got the 6th Edition with all the changes it introduced, and the companion Agile Practice Guide.
But, hot on the heels of PMI's recent change in examination partner, we discover that the 7th Edition is underway.
I got the tip-off from Dave Gordon's excellent weekly round-up of new PM articles.
In his round-up, he notes that Mike Griffiths has been named co-lead for the 7th Edition of the PMBOK Guide. Mike was involved in the creation of the Agile method, DSDM, and has over 20 years of experience in Agile methods. He's an Agilist through and through.
A Radical Departure
What that tells me - and his short article confirms it - is that we can expect the 7th Edtion to be a BIG change from recent editions. Rather than an incremental change, I suspect Mike will want to shake things up. He says:
'this will not be just an update, instead a radical departure from all previous editions aligned with PMI’s new digital transformation strategy.'
If PMI, PMP, CAPM, and the PMBoK Guide are not familiar concepts to you, the links in this sentence will give you primers.
When Can We Expect Publication?
All I can tell you is that:
- Publication is linked to maintenance of the ANS (American National Standard) for Project Management. PMI needs to renew this on (I think) a 4-year cycle.
- The PMBOK Guide has been updated every 4 years since the first edition in 1996, with the exception of a 5-year gap between the 4th and 5th editions. 4 years on from 2017 is... 2021. Two years to go.
The Clock's Ticking...
If you want to pass PMP or CAPM without mastering the deeper integration of Agile that I suspect is coming, you have been warned.
By the way...
If you want to study for PMP or CAPM, we offer a choice of two industry-leading programs, both are exceptionally good value, and both with full exam simulators.
To learn more, check out our guide: 'I Want to Study for Project Management Professional'. , for guidance and both paid and not paid resources. You know I can't put the F word in an email, in case it gets filtered!
from Dr. Mike Clayton, Online PM Courses