PMI will launch the PMBOK® Guide version 6 (Project Management Body of Knowledge) in the Q3 of 2017. The PMI keeps updating and reviewing the PMBOK® Guide to collaborate new trends in the project management field and to avoid any inconsistencies/ errors/omissions of the previous version of PMBOK® Guide. This change in the PMBOK Guide will be having some major impact on PMP exam as well.
If any PMP® Aspirant who is seeking to get certified in 2017, there is a good news for them, there won’t be any changes to the PMP® exam in 2017. The effects of PMBOK Guide version 6 will reflect on the PMP® Exam from January, 2018 and onwards.
The PMBOK® Guide 6 does not have much impact on PMP® certification aspirants in 2017 and the currently available PMP preparation materials, including books, online PMP prep resources and courses are still useful and relevant to the PMP® Exams in 2017.
However, PMI has not made any official declaration, but by looking at the previous experience of PMBOK Guide update, we can presume that the PMP® exam will be conducted on the current edition of PMBOK® Guide i.e. PMBOK Guide 5 throughout 2017. And we can witness the impact of the 6th edition of the PMBOK Guide on the PMP® examination in 2018 onwards. The PMP aspirants who have begun the preparation for PMP® certification exam now can get certified based on the present PMP® syllabus and 5th edition of PMBOK® Guide.
The launch of the 6th edition of PMBOK Guide will effect psychologically to 2017 PMP aspirants. The aspirants have to clear their certification in 2017 itself, if fail to do so, they would need to start preparing again on the basis of the PMBOK Guide 6th version in 2018, as there are chances that the PMP syllabus might also change. With this, we can say that there are very less opportunities and time remaining for PMP® certification aspirants in 2017.
Benefits of Getting PMP® Certified in 2017
If anyone is looking to take the PMP certification exam in 2017, this is a high time to convert your thoughts into action:
* You will get lots of resources and study materials for the PMP certification exam and the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition (current edition).
* The difficulty level of PMP examination may be higher after the launch of the 6th version of PMBOK® Guide.
* In 2018, we may witnessed hike in the exam fee of PMP ®.
* The predictions of change in the format of the PMP® exam are also roaming.
* The PMP® exam prep books and online courses or study-material may not be available.
* The new prep materials expected to have errors in terminology and project management processes.
So, if you don’t get certified in 2017, then you will find it difficult to get PMP® certified in the first or even second quarter of 2018 that might affect your career plans.