PMP certification is so far the most popular certification for project management personnel. Since 1984, PMI, Project Management Institute has been dedicated to developing a comprehensive certification project based on exam and strict standards with a purpose of confirming personal achievement in the industry of project management. Today, we will analyze the change of PMI PMP exam mainly from the perspective of analyzing the changes of the PMP guidance, PMBOK and the exam outline.
First of all, we need to understand why the guidance, PMBOK is upgraded?
We know that the full name of PMBOK Guide is A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. It is a general description of the knowledge, skills, and tools of project management established by PMI. Project management is an applicable discipline. Its ultimate purpose is to guide practices, to realize the success of projects efficiently with lower costs and less time. To achieve the target, we need more scientific and feasible theoretical guidance. These theories are evolving during practices, which determines the updating of PMBOK so that the guidance can catch up with the frontiers of project management.
Before the change, PMBOK consists of five major process groups: initial, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. However, when we enter the era featuring VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous). The demands of products and projects will change at any time. Let’s have a look at what changes have happened.
What are the changes between the sixth version and seventh version PMBOK?
1) A major change has happened to the structure of the guidance.
If you keep paying attention to the changes of PMBOK, you may notice the framework of the book has been changed greatly.
2) The focus of project management standards is changed
The methodology based on process of the sixth version has been shifted to the one based on principles. The standards based on principle can better adjust to the current products and project environment which is more flexible and changeable.
The changes of the PMP exam outline
1) The changes of the distribution of different parts
According to the latest notification of China International Talent Exchange Fund, the outline of PMI PMP exam on 2021 will be changed in the later half year of 2021. That is to say, the exam on June, 2021 was the last exam based on the old exam outline. Based on these changes, candidates may consider how to take the PMP exam prep. You may search more information on the official website of SPOTO where you can know the changes of question form and number, exam time and basic methods.
Also read: How to study for CCNP exam?
To sum up
1. After the change, the exam will attach more importance to practices and understanding. The exam will be more difficult.
2. It emphasizes the soft skills of project managers such as leadership, and strategic and business management abilities.
Generally speaking, the difficulty of the new PMP certification exam is higher than the old one. To pass the exam, you need to make a full preparation.
