Since PMI has announced changes in PMI-PMP exam, we are getting many queries about the changes and its effect on the exam. Let’s understand from where these changes are coming. Every 3 to 5 years PMI conducts Role Definition Study (RDS) to identify what type of work the target professionals are involved in; this helps in keeping the certification aligned with market needs and trends. PMI takes inputs and suggestions from experienced project managers across the world to ensure that the credentials are in line with industry best practices, meet current needs in the profession, and also comply with the current ISO standards.
The role of a project manager has been experiencing change in past few years. Initially project managers were responsible only for the successful delivery of the project but now they are involved in major decisions like go, no-go decisions with respect to project selection.
Key changes include:
Emphasis on business strategy and benefits realization: Project manager would be involved earlier in the project where benefit is carried out. Project Manager is involved in all the processes where he can focus whether the benefits are involved, rather than generically on deliverable.
Value of lessons learned: More emphasis is placed on lessons learned throughout the entire life cycle of a project.
Lessons learned of other projects during initiation of the project.
Lessons learned of current project during its closure.
Project Charter responsibility: Project manager can participate in the development of project charter but is not solely responsible for it.
Enhancing stakeholder relationships: More emphasis on two ways relationship with stakeholders rather than one way communication. Project manager is now involved in maintaining stakeholder relationships by analysing and following the stakeholder management plan, so as to ensure continued support from them.
Let’s look at the change in detail:
Domains
Domain 1
Initiating
Domain 2
Planning
Domain 3
Executing
Domain 4
Monitoring&Control
Domain 5
Closing
Percentage of questions in exam
13%
24%
31%
25%
7%
New Tasks Added
Task 2,7,8
Task 13
Task 6,7
Task 6,7
None
Initiating: (3 new tasks)
Task 2
Emphasis on identifying key deliverables based on the business requirements, in order to manage customer expectations.
Knowledge Area- Project Integration Management
Process- Develop Project Charter
This task is more mapped to Develop Project Charter; project manager should be active participant in project charter preparation process and help stakeholders in identifying listing of key deliverables from the project.
Task 7
Emphasis on conducting benefit analysis of the project with other stakeholders.
Knowledge Area- Project Integration Management
Process- Develop Project Charter
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in project selection decisions. Project managers can now participate in benefit analysis and help other stakeholders, in validating project alignment with organizational strategy and expected business value.
Task 8
Emphasis to ensure that all the key stakeholders carry a common understanding of the project charter.
Knowledge Area- Project Stakeholder Management
Process- Identify Stakeholders
Project managers are now responsible to inform stakeholders regarding the approved project charter and help stakeholders, to ensure common understanding of the key deliverables, milestones, and their roles and responsibilities.
Planning: (1 new task)
Task 13
Emphasis on more Involvement and engagement of key stakeholders.
Knowledge Area- Project Stakeholder Management
Process – Plan Stakeholder Management
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in the development of the stakeholder management plan. Project managers can now participate in analyzing needs, interests, and potential impact of key stakeholders in order to effectively manage their expectations and increase their engagement in the project.
Executing: (2 new tasks)
Task 6
Emphasis on effective and efficient communication with the key stakeholders.
Knowledge Area- Project Communications Management
Process – Manage Communications
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in managing the flow of information by following the communications plan. This way they can keep the stakeholders engaged and informed in timely manner.
Task 7
Emphasis on maintaining healthy relationship with the key stakeholders.
Knowledge Area- Project Stakeholder Management
Process – Manage Stakeholder Engagement
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in maintaining stakeholder relationships by following the stakeholder management plan. This can help project managers in getting required continued support of all the stakeholders and their expectations can be managed better.
Monitoring & Control: (2 new tasks)
Task 6
Emphasis on lessons learned from start to closure of the project.
Knowledge Area – Project Integration Management
Process – Monitor and Control Project Work
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in documentation of lessons learned. Project managers can now participate in capturing, analyzing, and managing lessons learned using lessons learned management techniques, in order to enable continuous improvement.
Task 7
Emphasis to ensure that the procurement plan is complaint with the objectives of the project.
Knowledge Area – Project Procurement Management
Process – Control Procurements
This task is mapped with involvement of project manager in analysis of procurement plan. Project managers can now participate in monitoring the procurement activities according to the procurement plan, in order to verify compliance with project objectives.
Closing: (no new task)
From PMP exam point the primary changes are-
Modification to existing tasks with respect to change in the role of a project manager.
Weighting of exam- One can expect 25-30% of change in content.
What is not changed?
The reference book for examination- You still need to refer to PMBOK® fifth edition and other related reference books.
The eligibility criteria
The application form filling
PMI Audit process
Please note the change is only to the examination content outline, and not to the PMBOK® fifth edition. Advice for test takers, you will do well if you can just understand the change in roles and responsibilities of the project manager and start attempting the questions with this changed role in mind.
Author Profile
Jyoti Gupta
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Jyoti Gupta is certified PMP® Consultant and Mentor with iZenBridge having approx 12 years IT and Project management experience with multinational companies. She is passionate about blogging on different project management processes and areas.
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