PMBOK 7th Edition Review (my honest thoughts... is it worth it?)

Summary

In this honest review of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, the speaker shares their personal experiences and insights after using the guide to pass the PMP exam. They highlight the guide’s strengths, including its modern, user-friendly layout, outcome-focused approach, and valuable leadership insights. However, they note its theoretical nature, lack of practical examples, and minimal coverage of certain tools and techniques. Overall, the 7th Edition is recommended for those with experience in project management, but may not be suitable for beginners. The speaker provides personal tips and resources for maximizing its use.

Takeaways

• 😀 The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is significantly thinner and easier to carry compared to the 6th Edition, making it more user-friendly as a reference book.
• 😀 The 7th Edition is much easier to read and skim through, with clearer, more digestible content that is designed to be more accessible than the previous edition.
• 😀 It adopts an outcome-focused model, shifting away from the ITTO (Input-Tools-Techniques-Outputs) approach, allowing more flexibility in applying project management principles.
• 😀 The guide includes a greater number of visuals, charts, tables, and diagrams, which help to clarify complex concepts and make the material more engaging.
• 😀 The 7th Edition is best suited for experienced project managers, as it focuses more on theory and principles rather than detailed, step-by-step instructions.
• 😀 One of the key changes is the emphasis on principles over specific methods, empowering readers to select tools and techniques based on their project needs.
• 😀 While the 7th Edition is practical and easy to use, some parts remain quite theoretical, especially concepts like systems thinking, which may be challenging for newcomers.
• 😀 Specific examples are lacking in some chapters, which means readers may need to turn to external sources to fully understand how to apply certain methods and techniques.
• 😀 The final chapter lists project management tools but only provides a superficial overview, requiring further exploration through other materials to gain a deeper understanding of how to apply these tools.
• 😀 The sections on leadership characteristics (pages 40-42) and the development approach (Chapter 2.3) are particularly valuable, offering actionable insights for improving leadership skills and understanding project management approaches.
• 😀 Overall, the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is a valuable reference tool for anyone with some project management experience, but may not be detailed enough for complete beginners. It is best used for quick reference and brushing up on key concepts.

Q & A

What is the main takeaway about the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition from the review?

The main takeaway is that the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is a modern, user-friendly resource that is great for experienced project managers. It is more outcome-focused, easier to read, and contains more visual aids compared to the 6th Edition. However, it may be challenging for beginners due to its theoretical nature.

How does the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition differ from the 6th Edition?

The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is significantly thinner and more portable than the 6th Edition. It is also designed to be easier to read, with a more modern look, including colorful diagrams, charts, and visuals. The content is more outcome-focused, moving away from the prescriptive ITTO model of the 6th Edition.

What are the key pros of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition?

Key pros include its user-friendly layout, flexibility in applying different tools and methods, rich visual aids, and practical examples. It also offers a more modern approach to project management by focusing on outcomes rather than detailed step-by-step processes.

Who would benefit the most from using the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition?

The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is ideal for experienced project managers who are looking for a quick reference guide. It is especially useful for those who want a modern approach to project management that focuses on principles and outcomes rather than rigid processes.

What are the cons of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition?

The cons include its theoretical nature, which might be difficult for beginners to grasp. It lacks specific examples for many concepts, and its descriptions of tools and methods are often superficial, requiring further research or external resources for a deeper understanding.

Why is the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition considered more outcome-focused?

The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition shifts from the ITTO model to an outcome-focused approach, providing principles to follow rather than a strict set of processes. This allows project managers more flexibility in choosing the tools and methods that best suit their specific project needs.

How does the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition help with leadership development?

The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition includes a section on leadership (pages 40-42) that lists key characteristics of effective leaders. It encourages readers to assess their own leadership skills and identify areas for improvement, emphasizing that leadership is not tied to a formal title.

What is the significance of the Development Approach section in the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition?

The Development Approach section (Chapter 2.3) explains the differences between predictive, agile, and hybrid project management approaches, using a real-world example of constructing a community center. This helps project managers understand when and how to apply each approach based on the project's needs.

What resources are recommended for someone new to project management after reading the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition?

Newcomers to project management may need to supplement the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition with additional resources. This could include external references, online courses, or real-world examples that provide deeper insights into the tools and methods mentioned in the guide.

Is the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition suitable for beginners?

The PMBOK Guide 7th Edition is better suited for experienced project managers. Beginners may find some of the theoretical concepts difficult to understand without prior experience in project management. It’s ideal as a reference for those with some practical knowledge of the field.