From PMBOK 6 to PMBOK7- My Views
PMBOK 7 is a big game changer and a huge step from PMI to align itself with the current waves of Business Agility.
On the core of these changes are the same principles of Agile, which is about managing changes more efficiently and effectively instead of a long Change Control Process.
While It is a welcome change, I believe one thing which PMI has to make sure is not to lose its core which has made PMP the most sort after Project Management Certification in the world and PMBOK the best guide in project management, the last thing PMI can do is to move too far ahead and lose what they have, a very strong and customizable process framework.
While I am all for Agile and Business Agility but it is not applicable in all the domains. Agile with all its delicacy and beauty is still very much application in IT and telecom sectors
PMBOK has always been a Process-Oriented methodology with a process defined for every project related activity. PMBOK currently consists of 5 process groups consisting of 49 Processes which are divided into 10 knowledge areas as shown below
So what is changing? And Why?
One line to define the changes:
"Processes Based Approach to Principles-Based Approach"
There won't be any processes in the new PMBOK 7, rather there will be set principles that need to be followed for a successful delivery of the project with the outcome be measured on the value that the project will provide to the business.
PMBOK 6 was All about Processes producing deliverables, PMBOK7 is about Principles Producing deliverables and high-quality products that deliver value to the organization. It is all about establishing the right level of principles from portfolio strategy, to programs nad to projects that deliver values to the organization
Just to explain in a simple context, there will be a Value Delivery System and Project Delivery principles . Value Delivery System will delivery outcomes which will be based on value rather than deliverables . The principles will guide the Project Managers and everyone related to the project to get the Value from the projects to the organisation and to the end user customers and intended stakeholders
Value Delivery System- A Refined Approach
Value Delivery system is the overall approach or system or culture which the project will use to deliver value to the business and organization
The 7th Edition of Standard for Project Management, on which PMBOK is based, shows how good strategy leads to intended business value in the organization.
We have Organisational strategies that define business objectives and goals. These Strategies are delivered via portfolios, programs, and projects. These initiative produces deliverable which will produce outcomes that will provide value to the end-users and customer and will increase the capability of the organization and the business value of the organization. There will be a smooth flow of information and a feedback mechanism to ensure the whole system work efficiently and produce the value it is intended for, hence creating a perfect delivery model for the organization
Project Delivery Principles
The 12 Project Delivery principles in PMBOK 7 are as follows:
Stewardship: Be a diligent, respectful, and caring steward
Team: Build a culture of accountability and respect.
Stakeholders: Engage stakeholders to understand their interests and needs.
Value: Focus on value.
Holistic Thinking: Recognize and respond to systems’ interactions.
Leadership: Motivate, influence, coach, and learn.
Tailoring: Tailor the delivery approach based on context.
Quality: Build quality into processes and results.
Complexity: Address complexity using knowledge, experience, and learning.
Opportunities & Threats: Address opportunities and threats.
Adaptability & Resilience: Be adaptable and resilient.
Change Management: Enable change to achieve the envisioned future state.
Conclusion
In the end, I will conclude with a viewpoint that these are massive changes from PMI in the new PMBOK from their typical process-based approach to a principle-based and behavior-based approach. As mentioned before one of the reasons is to line up PMBOK with the existing wave of agile and business agility. Though it looks a welcome change, there is an element of risk in it as PMBOK will be moving away from their existence proven approach to managing a project to the new approach.
It may end up being a great move from PMI but it may end up becoming a big cluster of confusion considering they may try to cater to everyone and every domain while bringing change to their methodology. In either case, it will be an interesting wait for me to see how it will be implemented in all the organizations and the effect it will have on existing PMO models.
From the PMP aspirant's point of view, it will be a good move from them to get their PMP Certification before PMBOK7 comes out in Jan 2021. It will much easier to pass the exam at this point in time.
