#2 Comparing the planning process group of PMBOK V3 and V4

The PMBOK third edition has 21 processes in the planning process group, where as V4 has only 20 processes in the planning group;

Here are the mapping of planning processes between V3 and V4. Most of the processes remain unchanged. The names got changed to more of a 'verb-noun' combination. Plan purchases and acquisions, Plan Contracting processes of V3, got replaced with 'Plan procurements', which resulted in the reduction of planning group processes from 21 to 20.

Here is the mapping;

• Develop project management plan -> Develop project management plan
• Scope definition -> Define scope
• Create WBS (work breakdown structure) - Create WBS
• Activity definition -> Define activities
• Activity sequencing -> Sequence activities
• Activity resource estimating -> Estimate activity resources
• Activity duration estimating -> Estimate activity durations
• Schedule development -> Develop schedule
• Cost estimating -> Estimate costs
• Cost budgeting -> Determine budgets
• Quality planning -> Plan quality
• Human resource planning -> Develop human resource plan
• Communications planning -> plan communications
• Risk management planning -> plan risk management
• Risk identification -> Identify risks
• Qualitative risk analysis -> Qualitative risk analysis
• Quantitative risk analysis -> Quantitative risk analysis
• Risk response planning -> Plan risk responses
• Plan purchases and acquisitions - > No mapping to 4th edition
• Plan contracting -> No mapping to 4th edition

#1 Comparing PMBOK V3 and V4

Very often during training, I get this question these days;

"If I prepare for the exam based on PMBOK V3, and write the current exam, will I pass?". Yes, still you can pass. For that matter, even if you prepare based on V2, still you may pass, as the crux of the body of knowledge have not changed much, and it cannot change as well. The key changes are in the structuring of the document, and it there are some deletions and additions to improve clarity. For the benefit of all, who is looking forward to bridge the gap between V3 and V4, quickly, I am planning a series of posts in this blog. Hope it will benefit some one, some where.

Here we go!

PMBOK v3 had 44 processes, where as PMBOK v4 has only 42 processes. The 9 knowledge areas remain the same as;

• Integration management
• Time management
• Cost management
• Scope management
• Quality management
• Risk management
• Human resource management
• Communications management
• Procurement management

The process groups remain the same as;

• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Monitoring and controlling
• Closing

Under Initiation, as per V3, we had two processes;

• Develop project charter
• Define high level scope

In V4, this is changed to;

• Develop project charter
• Identify stakeholders