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PMP® Exam Changes Coming in July 2020
PMP® Exam Changes
Coming in July 2020
SWOC Training Statistics
• Offering PMP training for many years
• Trained hundreds of students, 385 since 2014
• Since tracking started, 97 PMPs, 17 ACPs
• Fall 2019 class, 11 of 11 would recommend course
• Average overall instructor rating 4.63 out of 5
SWOC Training Statistics
• Credential prep helps professionals advance their
careers
• Credential prep raises Chapter awareness
• Credential prep advances the profession
• Credential prep is a way for professionals to give
back
• Credential prep is a major revenue generator
• Credential is a major driver of engagement
PMI Certification Stats
SWOC Certification Stats
907
5415
5
3
3
1
338
1,326 Members
PMP PMI-ACP CAPM PgMP PMI-RMP PMI-PBA PMI-SP Uncertified
PMP Exam Change Rationale
“Every 3-5 years we conduct research to understand
how the profession has progressed, the impact of
emerging trends, and how the responsibilities of project
managers have changed. The last round of this research
was conducted in 2015 and resulted in the current PMP
exam content outline.
Subject matter experts from leading organizations
around the world have helped us define the PMP of the
future. As this effort advances, we will keep you
informed on key outcomes and help you prepare for the
upcoming changes to the PMP.
The NEW PMP® Exam Content Outline provides the
framework of what you can expect on the PMP Exam
beginning 1 July 2020.” - PMI
Big Changes On The Horizon
PMI emailed R.E.P.s and Chapter Leaders on
11/11/2019 announcing changes to the program:• New program launching 01/07/2020
• Training provider hub that directs customers to
affiliated providers
• Digital training options
• Standardized, PMI-Approved Content. Training
partners will be required to use PMI-provided course
materials to lead PMP Exam Preparation
• Mandatory “train the trainer” program to ensure
instructors are using best practices
• Revised fee structure including adjusted annual
program membership fee and a new per-person
training fee
A New PMBOK®?
• The PMP exam is NOT based exclusively on the
PMBOK®, it is one of several references used to
design exam questions
• The exam is based on The PMP Examination
Content Outline (ECO)
• A new version of the PMP ECO was published in
June 2019
What You Can Expect To See
• More approaches to delivering outcomes. The
exam will cover both predictive (approximately
50%) and agile/hybrid (approximately 50%)
approaches to project management.
• Domains aligned to real-life practices. The
number of domains will be reduced from five to
three.
• New terminology
New Domains
• PEOPLE: emphasizing the skills and activities
associated with effectively leading a project team
• PROCESS: reinforcing the technical aspects of
managing a project
• BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT: highlighting the
connection between projects and organization
strategy
Predictive vs. Adaptive
“The research conducted through the Job Task Analysis
validated that today’s project management practitioners
work in a variety of project environments and utilize
different project approaches. Accordingly, the PMP
certification will be reflective of this and will incorporate
approaches across the value delivery spectrum.
About half of the examination will represent predictive
project management approaches and the other half will
represent agile or hybrid approaches. Predictive, agile,
and hybrid approaches will be found throughout the
three domain areas listed above and are not isolated to
any particular domain or task.”
Content Outline ComparisonCurrent Exam
Domain % of Items on Test
I. People 42%
II. Process 50%
III. Business Environment 8%
Total Scored Questions 175
Total Questions 200
Domain % of Items on Test
I. Initiating 13%
II. Planning 24%
III. Executing 31%
IV. Monitoring and Controlling 25%
V. Closing 7%
Total Scored Questions 175
Total Questions 200
New Exam
Tasks: Old exam – 42 New Exam - 35
Content Outline Comparison
Task # Task
1 Manage conflict
2 Lead a team
3 Support team performance
4 Empower team members and stakeholders
5 Ensure team members/stakeholders are adequately trained
6 Build a team
7 Address and remove impediments, obstacles, and blockers for the team
8 Negotiate project agreements
9 Collaborate with stakeholders
10 Build shared understanding
11 Engage and support virtual teams
12 Define team ground rules
13 Mentor relevant stakeholders
14 Promote team performance through the application of emotional intelligence
Domain I: People – 42%
Content Outline Comparison
Task # % of Items on Test
1 Execute project with the urgency required to deliver business value
2 Manage communications
3 Assess and manage risks
4 Engage stakeholders
5 Plan and manage budget and resources
6 Plan and manage schedule
7 Plan and manage quality of products/deliverables
8 Plan and manage scope
9 Integrate project planning activities
10 Manage project changes
11 Plan and manage procurement
12 Manage project artifacts
13 Determine appropriate project methodology/methods and practices
14 Establish project governance structure
Domain II: Process – 50%
Content Outline Comparison
Task # % of Items on Test
15 Manage project issues
16 Ensure knowledge transfer for project continuity
17 Plan and manage project/phase closure or transitions
Domain II: Process – 50%
Content Outline Comparison
Task # Task
1 Plan and manager project compliance
2 Evaluate and deliver project benefits and value
3 Evaluate and address external business environment changes for impact on scope
4 Support organizational change
Domain III: Business Environment – 8%
Content Outline Comparison
“The PMP Exam Content Crossover Map will help
you identify areas of content to update your PMP
Exam Prep Course so it is aligned to the 2020 Exam
Content Outline (ECO). This document is only a
guideline to identify what possible content from your
old course you may want to repurpose.
The NEW PMP® Exam Content Outline provides the
framework of what you can expect on the PMP Exam
beginning 1 July 2020.”
Content Outline Comparison
Old Exam Structure:• Domains
• Tasks
• Knowledge and Skill Statements
New Exam Structure:• Domains: High-level knowledge area that is essential to the
practice of project management
• Tasks: Underlying responsibilities of the project manager within
each domain area
• Enablers: Illustrative examples of the work associated with the
task. Please note that enablers are not meant to be an
exhaustive list but rather offer a few examples to help
demonstrate what the task encompasses
Content Crossover Map
Content Crossover Map
Content Outline Comparison
Example of new task structure
Content Crossover Map
• People: Your current course may have limited content to
address this new domain. If there is content it would be
woven throughout your course
• Process: Your current course may have a fair amount of
content to address this new domain as this was the bulk of
the exam previously – roughly 70% of old exam
• Business Environment: Your current course may have
very limited content to address this new domain. If there is
content it would be woven in small threads throughout your
course
Domain Content Location
Content Crossover Map
Enabler # Enabler
1.2.3 Value servant leadership (e.g., relate the tenets of servant leadership to the team)
1.5.4 Measure training outcomes
1.6.4 Maintain team knowledge transfer
1.14.1 Assess behavior through the use of personality indicators
1.14.2 Analyze personality indicators and adjust to the emotional needs of key project stakeholders
Domain I: People – 42%
14 total tasks, 1 new task
Task # Task
1.14 Promote team performance through the application of emotional intelligence
53 total enablers, 5 new enablers
Content Crossover Map
Enabler # Enabler
2.1.1 Assess opportunities to deliver value incrementally
2.1.3Support the team to subdivide project tasks as necessary to find the minimum viable product
2.6.6 Coordinate with other projects and other operations
2.13.3 Recommend a project methodology/approach (i.e, predictive, agile, hybrid)
2.13.4Use iterative, incremental practices throughout the project lifecycle (e.g., lessons learned, stakeholder engagement, risk)
2.16.6 Confirm approach for knowledge transfers
Domain II: Process – 50%
17 total tasks, 1 new task
Task # Task
2.1 Execute project with the urgency required to deliver business value
61 total enablers, 6 new enablers
Content Crossover Map
Enabler # Enabler
3.1.2 Classify compliance categories
3.1.3 Determine potential threats to compliance
3.1.4 Use methods to support compliance
3.1.5 Analyze the consequences of noncompliance
3.1.6Determine necessary approach and action to address compliance needs (e.g., risk, legal)
3.1.7 Measure the extent to which the project is in compliance
3.2.3 Verify measurement system is in place to track benefits
3.2.4 Evaluate delivery options to demonstrate value
Domain III: Business Environment – 8%
4 total tasks, 1 new task
Task # Task
3.4 Support organizational change
19 total enablers, 14 new enablers
Content Crossover Map
Enabler # Enabler
3.3.2Assess and prioritize impact on project scope/backlog based on changes in external business environment
3.3.3 Recommend options for scope/backlog changes (e.g. schedule, cost changes)
3.3.4Continually review external business environment for impacts on project scope/backlog
3.4.1 Assess organizational culture
3.4.2Evaluate impact of organizational change to project and determine required actions
3.4.3Evaluate impact of the project to the organization and determine required actions
Domain III: Business Environment – 8%
Tips
• There are noticeable differences between this updated PMP
ECO and PMBOK 6
• There are some commonalities, but it is important to note
that the volunteer taskforce was not bound by the PMBOK®
Guide. The taskforce members were charged with outlining
critical job tasks of individuals who lead and direct projects
based on their experience and pertinent resources
• If you take the PMP exam under the current ECO and do not
pass, all exams taken after 30 June 2020 will be under the
new ECO
• Good idea to wait until some folks shake out the bugs…
• PMI Customer Care: [email protected]
InterviewSierra Hampton-SimmonsDirector & Portfolio Leader, Certification Products at PMI
• Responsible for all certifications
• Exam based solely on Content Outline
• More than 30 references used for exam
• Focus on topics that are most germane to PM
• More questions on soft skills and emotional intelligence
• Read Agile Practice Guide
• Will release list of all reference materials with guidance
• Pilot exam is coming
• Adding new types of questions, drag and drop, interactives
• Sierra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierrah/
• Listen here:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/pmpodcast/PM_Podcast_434_2019
_09_11_PMP_Update.mp3
Important Notes
• Last day to take the current exam: 06/30/2020
• First day to take the new exam: 07/01/2020
• The application process will change later this year• PMI recommends you use the current application
• You have 90 days to complete the application
• You have 1 year from approval date to pass exam
Is PMBOK® Changing?
• The PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition is not expected
until 2023. This means that the PMBOK® Guide is not
changing and that PMI will continue to use the Sixth
Edition as an exam reference until at least 2023
• PMI has named Mike Griffiths as co-lead for the 7th
Edition of the PMBOK Guide. He’s a very well known
Agilest
• “This will not be just an update, instead a radical
departure from all previous editions aligned with PMI’s
new digital transformation strategy” - Griffiths
• PMBOK 7 Exposure Draft here: https://ed.pmi.org/
Additional Resources
• Apply: http://certification.pmi.org/
• Guidance:
https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-
management-pmp/exam-prep
• Handbook: https://www.pmi.org/-
/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/pro
ject-management-professional-
handbook.pdf?v=b19c2729-dcf0-424f-9007-
e95c1998c920
