Book Review – A Guide to Project Management Knowledge Book – Guide to the PMBOK – Fourth Edition
The Project Management Foundation Guide (PMBOK Guide) is universally recognized as the standard for project management methodologies and practices. Project managers routinely use the PMBOK® as a reference for accepted tools, knowledge, and processes to ensure the successful completion of a wide range of projects. The PMBOK is also the industry standard that candidates must study and possess functional knowledge in preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certifications. Since its inception, the PMBOK has undergone several revisions, the most recent of which is the 4th edition. Although much of the content is the same as in the 3rd edition, there are some significant changes in terms of clarity and improvement.
The fourth edition of the PMBOK reflects a focused effort to bring more clarity to various aspects of project management practices while reducing ambiguity and redundancy. There are several areas where this is evident. First, for consistency, all processes are now noted in a verb-noun format (ie define activities, develop schedule, plan quality, check scope, etc.). In a discipline as dynamic as project management, it is imperative to maintain as high a level of consistency and simplicity as possible. In addition to its simplicity, the fourth edition has also grouped corrective action, preventive action, defect repair, and requested changes under the heading “change request.” The purpose of this is to provide visibility into these change requests while allowing for easier understanding of project management processes.
It is important for a project manager to have a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in successful project management. To help with this, the fourth edition of the PMBOK has focused more on clarifying process interactions. By explaining more clearly the inputs and outputs of the process with the help of the new PMBOK data flow diagrams, which replaced the process flow diagrams, and the relationships between these processes, the project manager will have a better understanding of how to use these tools to your advantage. .
Another important clarification is the distinction between the project management plan and the various project documents that the project manager may use to help manage the project. An example of this is that a change record may have previously been erroneously bundled into a project management plan. The PMBOK® now makes it clear that while change management is an important part of a project management plan, a change log is a project document and should not be included in a formal project plan.
Additional clarification was made to the PMBOK® by more clearly differentiating what contents of the project charter and scope statement are required. Previously, these documents may have shared some common ground as there was no clear distinction between required content. As projects are gradually elaborated, or become more defined as they progress, what is noted in the charter will evolve and become apparent in the project scope statement. This progressive elaboration is an important part of project management and the PMBOK has done well to make this consideration while defining clearer boundaries between these two documents.
Perhaps the most significant difference between editions 3 and 4 of the PMBOK is the addition, consolidation, and removal of various processes. The Develop Preliminary Scope Statement (Project Integration Management Knowledge Area) and Plan the Scope (Project Scope Management Knowledge Area) processes were removed in the 4th Edition. Processes that were added include Gather Requirements (Project Scope Management Knowledge Area) and Identify Stakeholders (Project Communications Management Knowledge Area). Within the Project Procurement Management Knowledge Area, the six processes were consolidated into four. These process revisions represent bold changes between editions 3 and 4 of the PMBOK. However, by renaming processes in verb-noun format, removing those that were redundant or unnecessary, adding where necessary, and consolidating others, the fourth edition of the PMBOK represents a significant improvement and another step in the right direction for managing Projects.
Another enhancement added to the fourth edition of the PMBOK is Appendix G which contains a list and discussion of the interpersonal skills needed to manage projects successfully. While it is debatable whether or not these skills can be learned through training and practice, or whether one is born more adept at these soft skills, it is clear that they are necessary to manage projects and project teams effectively. Their inclusion in the PMBOK is an improvement because they indicate areas where project managers need to maintain their focus as they interact with their project teams and stakeholders.
While the release of the fourth edition of the PMBOK was a step in the right direction for project management, it was also part of a larger picture and not the only PMI standards book published. Concurrent with the fourth edition of the PMBOK, PMI released The Standard for Program Management 2nd Edition; The Standard for Portfolio Management 2nd Edition; and Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3) 2nd Edition. The publication of these four standards represents an effort to link methodologies between these various levels of project and program management in a clear, consistent and comprehensive manner. These standards of basic project management, program and portfolio management, and organizational project management, along with consistent language, terminology, and practices, provide a framework under which practitioners in the project management profession can operate with awareness, clarity, and and trust.
In addition to the professional content contained in the PMBOK, there are other features of the book that are worth commenting on. First, the book maintains its quality of being easy to read and understand. The fonts and graphics used in the book are clearly visible and the reader will find them easy to follow. Also, the data flow diagrams at the beginning of each knowledge area chapter are much easier to follow and understand than the 3rd edition process flow diagrams.
Another nice feature is the reader’s ability to take notes in the margins which provide very adequate spacing. One feature that should be improved is the soft cover of the PMBOK. With a book cost of $65.95 through PMI (or $49.50 for PMI members), a paperback is hardly adequate to protect such an investment and valuable reference tool. A simple internet search also found that the book can be purchased for $41.55 through Amazon.com with free shipping. This is certainly the most affordable price to be found online, although, perhaps, it can be bought second-hand or from a used bookstore for less.
One of the reasons for the explosive growth of the project management profession is the degree to which practices and methodologies have evolved. The revisions in the fourth edition of the PMBOK® represent the efforts made by its governing body, PMI, to remain proactive in a cycle of continuous development and improvement. The utility of effective project management has been realized in all industries and market segments. By including feedback from its professionals in this improvement cycle, the project management industry will effectively continue to evolve through the refinement of standards, tools, and practices.