PMI will be making changes to the PMP Exam starting on Jan. 12, 2016. These changes will be based on the RDS (Role Delineation Study), as PMI announced in June 2015.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to take the Exam before the change.
But for those who are curious about the upcoming changes, or who will need to test after January 11, 2016, here is a summary on what the announced changes will be based on:
SUMMARY OF KEY CHANGES (Starting 01/12/2016)
1) CLOSING Processes: Will be Less Emphasis on CLOSING –
There will be slightly less emphasis on the CLOSING Process Group
(Down to 7% from 8% of exam questions.
2) EXECUTING Processes: Will be More Emphasis on EXECUTING –
There will be slightly more emphasis on the EXECUTING Process Group
(Up to 31% from 30% of exam questions)
3) 8 NEW TASKS: 8 New “TASKS” are being added to the PM Role, per the RDS.
The 8 new tasks are being added to 4 of the Process Groups, as follows:
- *Initiating – 3 tasks added: Task #2, #7 & #8
- Task #2 – Identify key deliverables based on the business requirements in order to manage customer expectations and direct the achievement of project goals.
- Task #7 – Conduct benefit analysis with relevant stakeholders to validate project alignment with organizational strategy and expected business value.
- Task #8 – Inform stakeholders of the approved project charter to ensure common understanding of key deliverables, milestones, and their roles and responsibilities.
- Planning – 1 task added: Task #13
- Task #13 – Develop the stakeholder management plan by analyzing needs, interests, and potential impact in order to effectively management stakeholders’ expectations and engage them in project decisions.
- Executing – 2 tasks added: Task #6 & #7
- Task #6 – Manage the flow of information by following the communication plan in order to keep stakeholders engaged and informed
- Task #7 – Maintain stakeholder relationships by following the stakeholder management plan in order to receive continued support and manage expectations
- M&C – 2 tasks added: Task #6 & #7
- Task #6 – Capture, analyze, and manage lessons learned, using lessons learned management techniques in order to enable continuous improvement
- Task #7 – Monitor procurement activities according to the procurement plan in order to verify compliance with project objectives
- Closing – No new tasks added
*Note – There is a change to Initiating Task #5 about developing the Project Charter –
See the new Exam Content Outline (ECO). Pay close attention phrase “Participate.”
5) CROSS-CUTTING SKILLS:
- There are many new skills added to the list of Cross-Cutting Skills at the back of the ECO, especially in the area of Business Knowledge and Benefits Analysis. And some of the skills from the prior RDS (Aug. 2011) have been modified with the new RDS (June 2015).
- It is recommended to study ALL the “Cross-Cutting Skills” in the ECO.
Some of the many skills added to the Cross-Cutting Skills list:
- Benefits Realization
- Business Acumen
- Customer Satisfaction Metrics
- Emotional Intelligence
- Situational awareness
- Delegation Techniques
- Lessons Learned Management Techniques
- Diversity and cultural sensitivity
- Generational sensitivity and diversity
- Stakeholder management techniques
- Virtual/remote team management
6) The new “TALENT TRIANGLE”
- In the near future, I will be publishing a new post on the new Talent Triangle and how it will affect the new version of the PMP test effective Jan. 12, 2016
- The new Talent Triangle is covered in my book:
The Project Management Answer Book <2nd Edition>
MORE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES ABOUT THE TEST CHANGES
- WEBINAR from PMI on the upcoming changes to the test
- Podcast from Cornelius Ficthtner on the changes, PM-Podcast Episode #336
- NEW Exam Content Outline From PMI (compare & contrast to old version below #4)
- OLD Exam Content Outline From PMI
- My next 2 PMP Prep classes for NYU SPS:
- PMP Prep – PROJ1-CE8601 – Section 1 – Starts Feb 6 (Saturdays)
- PMP Prep – PROJ1-CE8601 – Section 4 – Starts April 10 (Sundays)