The Project Management Institute (PMI) recently released the 4th edition of its A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), which is a collection of published “generally recognized good practices.”

This Global Knowledge white paper details what changes were made in the latest edition of the PMBOK Guide and explains how these changes will impact IT pros running projects and those studying for the Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams. The paper outlines:

  • Improvements and general changes
  • How the differences between the editions will affect practitioners
  • How the differences between the editions will affect those studying for the PMP and CAPM exams
  • Descriptions of new inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs introduced in the 4th edition

Several noted improvements to this edition of the PMBOK Guide are: it documents the evolution of the profession; it clarifies process names and descriptions; and it has improved graphics.

If you plan to take the PMP exam, the change will take place on June 30, 2009; if you plan to take the CAPM exam, the change will occur July 31, 2009. Vicki Wrona, the author of the paper, explains, “Exams issued before those dates will be based on the 3rd edition Guide, exams issued on those dates or after will be issued on the 4th edition.”

Read the paper for more details about all of the changes in the latest edition of the PMBOK Guide. Global Knowledge is also offering a free Web seminar about this topic on March 25, 2009.