{"id":4803,"date":"2024-01-04T11:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T10:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/?p=4803"},"modified":"2024-07-04T15:01:54","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T13:01:54","slug":"pmbok-guide-seventh-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/pmbok-guide-seventh-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition: What Candidates for the PMP Exam Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Project Management Institute (PMI\u00ae) published the current <strong>PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition<\/strong>, officially on August 1, 2021 (though for members it came a little earlier). Across six editions, the work had become larger and more elaborate \u2013 and therefore harder to read. Hence, the aim of this edition was to venture a <strong>fresh start<\/strong> and slim down the book. The <strong>structure<\/strong> was also reorganized. Previously, the <em>PMBOK\u00ae Guide <\/em>already consisted of several parts. These were rearranged in this edition.<\/p>\n<p>November 2022 also saw the publication of the new \u201cProcess Groups: A Practice Guide\u201d. This brought back the contents of the <em>PMBOK Guide 6th Edition<\/em> in a shortened form.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, you will learn all you need to know about the <em>PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter1\">What is the PMBOK Guide?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter2\">The PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition: A fresh start<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter3\">PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition &amp; PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition \u2013 A comparison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter3a\">The new \u201cProcess Groups: A Practice Guide\u201d<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter4\">Implications for the PMP exam<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter5\">Conclusion \u2013 PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let us begin.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter1\">What Is the PMBOK Guide?<\/h2>\n<p><em>A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK\u00ae Guide)<\/em> is PMI\u2019s flagship publication. The guide is a fundamental resource for effective project management in any industry. Over the last few years, the business world has changed considerably, but projects remain critical drivers of business success.<\/p>\n<p>The book includes <em>The Standard for Project Management<\/em>. The standard is the foundation upon which the vast body of knowledge builds. The additional guide serves to capture and summarize that knowledge.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The <strong>printed version of the PMBOK Guide 7<\/strong> as well as the <strong>digital PDF and eBook versions<\/strong> are available in multiple languages. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/membership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMI\u00ae members<\/a> can download the guide for project managers in the eBook format (PDF) in English and 9 other languages for free. This way to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/pmbok-guide-standards\/foundational\/pmbok\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMBOK 7th Edition Download (PDF)<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter2\">PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition: A Fresh Start<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4804\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4804\" style=\"width: 945px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/1-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4804\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/1-1.png\" alt=\"PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition \u2013 History since 1996\" width=\"945\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/1-1.png 945w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/1-1-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/1-1-768x423.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4804\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The history of the PMBOK Guide since the first version in 1996<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In all previous editions including the <em>Sixth Edition<\/em>, the first and more comprehensive part was the actual \u201cGuide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This was followed by the \u201cStandard for Project Management\u201d, the official <em>ANSI Standard<\/em>. ANSI is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ansi.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American National Standards Institute<\/a>. The third part was an appendix.<\/p>\n<p>In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/pmbok-guide-standards\/about\/current-projects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seventh Edition<\/a>, the two parts were reversed. As a result, the order is as follows:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em>ANSI Standard<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Actual <em>Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Appendix as before<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter3\">PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition &amp; PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition \u2013 A Comparison<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"301\">\n<h3><strong>PMBOK Guide 6th Edition*<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"301\">\n<h3><strong>PMBOK Guide 7th Edition<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"301\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8266 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021-08-24_17-06-43-150x150.png\" alt=\"PMBOK Guide 7th Edition\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/td>\n<td width=\"301\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8267 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021-08-24_17-06-57-150x150.png\" alt=\"PMBOK Guide 7th Edition\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"301\">A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<\/li>\n<li>The environment in which projects operate<\/li>\n<li>The role of the project manager<\/li>\n<li>10 areas of knowledge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"301\">The Standard for Project Management<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<\/li>\n<li>System for value delivery<\/li>\n<li>12 principles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"301\">The Standard for Project Management<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<\/li>\n<li>5 process groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"301\">A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>8 project performance domains<\/li>\n<li>Tailoring<\/li>\n<li>Models, methods, and artifacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>*<em> In November 2022, the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition was replaced by the new standard \u201cProcess Groups: A Practice Guide\u201d. More detail in the chapter below.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/project-management-certifications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PM certifications and their effect on project management salaries.<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter3a\">The New \u201cProcess Groups: A Practice Guide\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>Almost unnoticed, the Project Management Institute (PMI) published a new standard with major implications \u2013 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/pmbok-guide-standards\/practice-guides\/process-groups-a-practice-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Process Groups: A Practice Guide<\/a>\u201d \u2013 in November 2022. This brings back the contents of the <em>PMBOK Guide 6th Edition<\/em> in a shortened form. Already, it has replaced the latter in the development of exam questions at the PMI. In addition, it helps companies who developed methods based on the old standard, to retain them without losing the methodological basis.<\/p>\n<p>Since spring 2023, the CAPM certification and the necessary exam have also been renewed and upgraded. The beginner\u2019s certificate has been upgraded from a mere test on the textbook to an application-oriented certificate. I (Oliver F. Lehmann) \u2013 PMP trainer at TPG and author of this article \u2013 collaborated on the development and quality assessment of the certification.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter4\">Implications for the PMP Exam<\/h2>\n<p>In the past, there was always a cutover date for every new edition of the <em>PMBOK Guide<\/em> by which time the exam would be revised. This time, however, there is a <strong>coexistence of both <em>Sixth Edition<\/em> and <em>Seventh Edition<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Questions regarding methods and processes are more likely to refer to <em>PMBOK Guide 6th Ed. \/ Process Groups: A Practice Guide<br \/>\n<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Questions regarding principles and values, on the other hand, will tend to reference the <em>7th Edition<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/project-management-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Project Management Newsletter TPG PMO Resource Management Agile PM Project Projects Projectmanager Projectmanagementoffice\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/TPG_Banner-Blog_1400_Newsletter_EN.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/project-management-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe to the TPG Blog Newsletter now<\/a> and never miss another blog post.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You should be aware that the authors of the exam questions for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/pmp-training-test-prep-seminar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMP<em>\u00ae<\/em> exam<\/a> can also use other literature as references. After all, this is not just a test about the <em>PMBOK Guide<\/em>. The amount of material for the PMP exam therefore increased with the <em>PMBOK 7<\/em>. At the end of this article, you will find a link to a reference list with other sources that are relevant to the PMP exam.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter5\">Conclusion \u2013 PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition<\/h2>\n<p>Over the past few years, emerging technology, new approaches and rapid market changes have changed the world of work. This has caused the project management profession to evolve. The<strong><em> Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK\u00ae Guide) \u2013 Seventh Edition<\/em><\/strong> was therefore updated to meet these challenges. The aim was to better align the guide to how people work today and help them be more proactive, innovative and nimble.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>The PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reflects the full range of development approaches (predictive, traditional, adaptive, agile, hybrid, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Provides an entire section devoted to tailoring the development approach and processes<\/li>\n<li>Expands the list of tools and techniques in a new section, \u201cModels, Methods, and Artifacts\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Focuses on project outcomes in addition to deliverables<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliverlehmann.com\/free\/free-pmp-practice-questions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Free PMP exam practice questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/certifications\/project-management-pmp\/earn-the-pmp\/pmp-exam-preparation\/pmp-reference-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overview of PMP reference literature<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/95742577\/Project_Business_Study_Book_Free_edition_04_2022_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project Business Study Book<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3IFmguV\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Microsoft 365 Project Management TPG ProjectPowerPack: Best Practice Solution for Project & Portfolio Management Based on Microsoft 365 & Power Platform\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/csm_PPP_Blog_Banner2_EN_1300px_tiny_8e50efa17d.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n<blockquote><p><strong>Our final tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Get to know the individually adaptable \u201cPPM Paradise\u201d \u2013 the optimal environment for your enterprise-wide project, program, portfolio and resource management (PPM). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/data\/Downloads_eBooks\/TPG_PPM_Paradise_eBook_EN_-_TPG_TheProjectGroup.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the free eBook \u201cThe PPM Paradise\u201d now<\/a> (just click, no form).<\/p>\n<p>And sign up for our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/project-management-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bi-weekly blog newsletter<\/a> with information on more hands-on articles, eBooks, etc. to improve your project management maturity level.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Interested in PMP Exam Preparation? <\/strong>At TPG, Oliver F. Lehmann, the trainer who is also author of this article, offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/pmp-training-test-prep-seminar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">English-language company seminars<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your opinion on the changes in the <em>PMBOK Guide 7?<\/em> Please leave a comment below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"id69573c4cd7f01\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573c4cd7f01\">\n                    <p><strong>Subscribe to TPG BlogInfo:<\/strong> Never miss new practice-oriented tips &amp; tricks<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573c4cd7f01\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573c4cd7f01\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\" style=\"height: 520px;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                \t<p>Every other week: Receive practical tips in TPG blog posts written by recognized experts in project, portfolio, and resource management.<br \/>\n* Required Fields\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/data-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Protection<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing\">This form is blocked by your cookie settings to our website. Please <a>click here<\/a> and select at least the marketing cookies. Then this form will be visible. Thanks a lot.<\/div>\n\n                    <iframe src=\"https:\/\/scnem.com\/art_resource.php?sid=hqvs9.qdei48\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 520px;\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Oliver-F-Lehmann.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6986 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Oliver-F-Lehmann-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Oliver F. Lehmann\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Oliver-F-Lehmann-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Oliver-F-Lehmann.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>The author: Oliver F. Lehmann, MSc, ACE, PMP<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Oliver F. Lehmann is a trainer for project management and project business management. He is renowned as an author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/Oliver-F.-Lehmann\/e\/B01L2WAM2A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reference books<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pmworldlibrary.net\/authors\/oliver-f-lehmann\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">articles<\/a> and as an analyst for critical projects. For over ten years, he was actively involved in project management before becoming a trainer in 1995. Today, he serves a global audience, focusing on the certification of individuals and improving the project business. He is the owner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.project-business.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project Business Foundation<\/a>, a think tank that provides support for customers and suppliers in the project business. Furthermore, he is a long-serving volunteer at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pmi.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMI<\/a>, the Project Management Institute. His activities for the PMI have included those of President of the PMI Southern Germany Chapter from 2013 to 2018 and project manager of the 24-hour global online charity conferences under the name of \u201cTalk around the Clock\u201d.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\">You can read more about Oliver F. Lehmann on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/oliverlehmann\/?locale=us_EN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xing.com\/profile\/Oliver_LehmannPMP\/cv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XING.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3IFmguV\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Microsoft 365 Project Management TPG ProjectPowerPack: Best Practice Solution for Project & Portfolio Management Based on Microsoft 365 & Power Platform\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/csm_PPP_Blog_Banner2_EN_1300px_tiny_8e50efa17d.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Project Management Institute (PMI\u00ae) published the current PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, officially on August 1, 2021 (though for members it came a little earlier). Across six editions, the work had become larger and more elaborate \u2013 and therefore harder to read. Hence, the aim of this edition was to venture a fresh start and<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/pmbok-guide-seventh-edition\/\" title=\"Read More\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":7045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4803"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7652,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions\/7652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}