Are you planning to take up a PMP exam? If yes, did you know that the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam is changing in January 2021? The new exam content outline is released and here you can read to know the latest changes.
As we know PMI continuously strives to update with the current trends in Project Management. Now, PMI recognizes the need to transform its content with a revised Exam Content Outline (ECO). The PMP exam outline has changed but is going to be still based on the PMBoK 6th edition (current edition) until PMBOK 7th edition is officially released.
The structure and the exam content will follow the new pattern from 2nd January 2021.
The New Exam Content Outline
The new exam content outline has huge differences from the old exam content outline. Please read below to clarify the major changes in the exam content.
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The Domains
So you would know that PMP exam content is currently based on the five domains. The new exam content outline has only three domains. Listed below are the current and new domains. This is the primary change you must be aware of.
The five domains in the current exam content are:
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Initiating
-
Planning
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Executing
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Monitoring & Controlling
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Closing
The revised exam content outline that will have 3 domains, they are:
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People
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Process
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Business Environment
In the new content outline, 42% of the exam questions will be based upon the People domain, 50% of the exam will be based upon the Process domain and 8% of the exam questions will be based upon the Business Environment domain.
2. Tasks
Each new domain is made up of several tasks. Remember the number of tasks currently? The number of tasks is 42 now, but it could be 35 in the new exam content outline.
For your understanding, check the table below to understand the tasks in each domain.
| Domain |
No. of Tasks |
Tasks |
Exam Coverage |
|
People
|
1-5 |
Manage conflicts
Lead the team
Support team performance
Empower team members
Ensure team members and stakeholders are adequately trained. |
42%
|
| 6-10 |
Build a team
Address and remove impediments
Negotiate project agreements
Collaborate with stakeholders and build a shared understanding |
| 11-14 |
Engage virtual teams
Define team ground rules
Mentor relevant stakeholders
Promote team performance |
|
Process
|
1-5 |
Execute projects with the urgency
Manage communications
Assess and managing risks
Manage budget & resources |
50%
|
| 6-10 |
Manage schedule
Manage the quality of products
Integrate project planning activities
Manage project changes |
| 11-15 |
Manage procurement
Manage project artifacts
Determine appropriate project methods
Establish a project governance structure |
| 16-17 |
Ensure knowledge transfer for project continuity
Manage project/phase closure or transitions. |
| Business Environment |
1-4 |
Manage project compliance
Evaluate project benefits
Address external business environment changes
Support organizational change |
8% |
3. More Situational Questions
You can expect situational questions from predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches across all the three-domains.
4. Enablers
Enablers are descriptive examples associated with the task. They help to demonstrate what the task encompasses. Enablers are meant to interpret, analyse and reconcile the appropriate conflict resolution solution. Get to know about the new enablers coming with the new PMP exam.
When should you take the PMP exam?
If you are planning to take up the PMP exam after January 2021, you must be careful about the changes. Remember to understand new task structure and affiliation with the enablers.
Stay calm, these changes might bring a few tweaks, but use good PMP preparation materials, get good training and grab your certificate!
Key Takeaways
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The PMP exam outline has changed but is going to be still based on the PMBoK 6th edition (current edition).
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The new exam content outline has only three domains- People, Process and Business Environment.
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The number of tasks is 42 currently, but would be 35 in the new exam content outline.
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Predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches will be a part throughout all the three-domains.
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