This article provides a brief overview of A Guide to theProject Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK[r] Guide) Sixth Edition and how it affects the PMP (r)Exam.
We will provide you with all the dates for the PMBOK(r), Guide6 release. We will also recommend which version to use for your PMP exam preparation studies.
This article will be updated as Project Management Institute (PMI(r) releases specific release dates.
When willPMBOK(r)GuideSixth Edition be released?
We can expect the following release dates according to PMI(r):
Draft Release is scheduled for January-Mar 2017, the first quarter 2017.
Final Release is scheduled for June-Aug 2017, the third quarter 2017.

When will the PMP(r), Exam change?
The PMP(r), Exam is largely based upon the content in thePMBOK (r) Guide. The following schedule outlines the exam changeover from version 5-6:
PMP Exam Update toPMBOK(r), Guide6 will occur in Q1 2018, possibly as early as January 2018.
What are the most significant changes that will occur?
1) There will be 49 processes starting at 47.
2) Three new processes and one deleted will be added.
New processes:
“Manage Project Knowledge”
“Control Resources”
“Implement Risk Responses”

Process canceled:
Close Procurements have been eliminated. Its functionality has been consolidated in the “Close Project or Phase Process”.
2) Two Knowledge Areas will change their names:
FromProject Human Resource Managementto “Project Resource Management”
FromProject Time Managementto “Project Schedule Management”

4) Some processes will be renamed
FromPerform Quality Assurance to “Manage Quality”
FromPlan Human Resource Managementto “Plan Resource Management”
FromAcquire Project team to “Acquire resources”
FromControl Communications to “Monitor Communications”.
FromControl Risksto “Monitor Risks”
FromPlan Stakeholder Managementto “Plan Stakeholder Engagement”
From Control Stakeholder Engagement to “Monitor stakeholder engagement” Adaptive and Iterative Approaches

5) Chapters Re-alignment
There will be chapters on Front End alignment (Chapters 1 through 3). The information from Chapter 1 to 3 will now be combined into two chapters. A new Chapter 3 will focus on “The Role of the Project manager” where many aspects of the Project manager’s role will be mapped to the PMI Talent Triangle.
6) Process Tailoring will be performed. This involves analyzing the project to determine the importance of each process (based upon the project’s scope and size).
7) The newPMBOK (r) Guide will have different notations that distinguish between “Ongoing” (continuously executed) and “Non-ongoing” processes. This concept will be highlighted for the first time in the newPMBOK[r] GuideSixth Edition.
8) The Project Scope and Product Scope concepts will be highlighted for the first time in newPMBOK(r), Guide6th Edition.
9) The Earned Value Tool Kit, which is supported by thePMBOK(r), Guide, will now include “Earned Schedule Management”.
10) There will be a distinction between “Communication”, which is communication between two people, and “Communications”, which are artifacts such as published email.
11) The new strategy “Escalate Responds” allows a PM to escalate a risk to the appropriate party, so that the risk is no more his/her responsibility. The PM can now choose to either escalate the risk or take it on his/her shoulders.
If necessary, removing the risk from the project’s register.
It should be kept in the risk register but classified as “Escalated/Assigned to”.
12) The new Lessons Learned Register now forms part of the ITTOs. Project managers will be encouraged to keep the register updated on a regular basis, not just at the end. You can update at any point in the project, including at the end of project phases (similarly to Agile’s “Retrospective”)
13) ThePMBOK (r) Guideitself is adopting a voluntary tone instead of a mandatory tone in certain areas. For example, Requirements Collection might now say, “Here’s a list of options for tools.” You can choose the one that best suits your current project.
14) ITTO Bundling
The ITTO table will simplify inputs and outputs. Tools & Techniques will now be grouped under the same headings.
15) Information Updated Appendix
Summary of Key Concepts
Summary of Tailoring Considerations
Summary of Tools & Techniques

Which GUIDE version should I use to study?
Are you taking your exam prior to January 1, 2018? UsePMBOK(r), Guide 5th Edition.
Are you taking your exam after Jan 1, 2018? UsePMBOK(r), Guide 6th Edition.
The above recommendation is based upon the expectation that the PMP (r) exam will likely change to the new standard in January 2018. In September 2016, we had discussions with the PMBOK(r) Guideteam and determined that “about January 2018” would be the best target date. This recommendation will be updated once more information becomes available.