The first attempt to codify the Project Management Body of Knowledge dates back to 1983. Since then, the Project Management Institute’s (PMI)®, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) has become a globally recognised standard for project management.
The PMBOK® Guide is seen as a foundational reference for project management that has evolved with the profession and provides a common glossary for project management across different sectors and industries.
With the advent of agile frameworks and their somewhat profligate uptake, the PMBOK® Guide is coming under scrutiny and sometimes dismissed as ‘old school’ or ‘invalid’ in the fast-paced world of change. Let’s expose the truth by looking at the somewhat unfortunate myths about the PMBOK® Guide out there.
Myth 1. The PMBOK® Guide process groups namely, Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing, are phases in a project life cycle.
Fact. Unfortunately this is one of the long-standing misconceptions about the PMBOK® Guide. As is very clearly stated in the Guide: The Process Groups are not project life cycle phases.
Myth 2. The PMBOK® Guide is a project management methodology.
Fact. Again, another long-standing misinterpretation of the Guide! The PMBOK® Guide does not even pretend to be a methodology. Instead it identifies a “subset of the project management body of knowledge that is generally recognised as good practice”. I like to see it as an overarching framework providing guidance including a ‘toolkit’ of project management tools and techniques.
Myth 3. Following on from myth 2, it is often assumed that the PMBOK® Guide is only for so-called ‘traditional’ waterfall projects.
Fact. As it is a guide, rather than a specific methodology, the PMBOK® Guide is applicable in all project environments:
Myth 4. The PMBOK® Guide and PRINCE2 are competing methodologies
Fact. By exposing myths 2 and 3, we can start to see the PMBOK® Guide for what it is and isn’t. The PMBOK® Guide is not a methodology competing against PRINCE2. PRINCE2 is a structured project management method that can be used to implement the Guide’s framework. PRINCE2 even clearly states that it should not be confused with a Body of Knowledge, but that the differences between the two make them highly complementary.
Myth 5. The PMBOK® Guide is too onerous and bureaucratic. We don’t have time for 47 processes!
Fact. Each process in the PMBOK® Guide is not meant to be applied robotically in every project; knowledge, skills and processes cannot be applied uniformly to all projects.
So take a moment or two to re-assess the PMBOK® Guide and its place as a versatile reference and resource for the project management profession.
PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. PRINCE2 is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited