Skilled project managers and business analysts are in high demand. Studying the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is an important step to becoming a skilled Project Management Professional (PMP).
This book is the background of the profession. It includes proven Project Management practices and innovative and emerging methods used in the method. It is used to teach project management at all universities.
Below, we’ll look at what PMBOK is, how it is used, and the five main process groups addressed in the book. We will also share some helpful resources you can use to study as you work toward a PMP certificate.
What Is PMBOK?
The PMBOK is a collection of information on terminology and best practices for project management. Many companies follow the guide to standardize their methods of project management. If you take a course in risk management, PMBOK will be part of the curriculum.
The goal of PMBOK is to standardize project management practices. Because of this guide, a project manager who works in distribution will handle his job the same way as a project manager working in development. Additionally, if an employee switches departments within a company, the standards for project management won’t change.
Five PMBOK Process Groups
PMBOK helps ensure effective project management solutions. The best way to define it is a tree diagram with five process groups broken down into 10 knowledge areas, and 47 processes.
Below are the five main process groups used in a project.
- Initiation. Before the start of any project, a PMP will define the processes, skills, and activities needed to complete the project in line with the organization’s goals. This includes allocating budgets, creating teams, and applying for permits.
- Planning. This step involves setting the scope of the project and implementing plans that will ensure optimal workflow.
There are 24 processes involved in the planning stage, according to the PMBOK guide. Among them are cost management, scope management, cost baseline, calendars, stakeholder management, schedules, and quality management.
- Execution. At this stage, the project manager will give the team directions to create a timeline of expectations. Project managers must use their skills to stay organized and communicate.
They should also know how to address their team’s concerns and ensure that a project is completed on time and within budget. Under this section, there are eight sub-sections, including project status reports, change requests, procurement agreements, issue logs, team performance assessment, deliverable status, and environmental factors.
- Monitoring and controlling. This step involves predicting unforeseen circumstances and identifying any necessary changes, including to the budget.
The project manager will make sure their plans are progressing, and guard against any possible pitfalls. According to the PMBOK guide, monitoring and controlling involves tracking, reviewing, and regulating a performance.
- Closing. Bringing the project to a successful close is not as easy as it sounds. It requires that all the 47 processes above come together correctly.
At this point, the client will sign off on the project if they are satisfied with the results.
Five Knowledge Areas of Project Management
Anyone on their way to achieving their master’s degree in project management will begin studying PMBOK in their first year. Below, we’ll look at five of the PMBOK knowledge areas that cover the core technical subjects.
Integration
In this phase, you will learn how to start planning a project. A project charter will be created and a manager assigned. Then a plan is created and sent to stakeholders for approval.
Scope
Defining the goal of your project is essential. In this part of the PMBOK, you will learn how to ensure that everyone involved has a clear idea of the scope, and you will also prepare a work breakdown structure.
Time
It is important to manage how much time a team member takes to complete a task, and how much time is needed to complete each activity.
Cost
Budget is key to a successful project. In this section of PMBOK, you will learn how to prepare a budget.
Human Resources
Learn what types of people you will need to complete a project, then put a team together. This is where you will manage the team and fill in any skill gaps.
Learning PMBOK
Through study and by achieving qualifications, you can raise your chances of a successful career. Getting certified in project management will prove that you have all the skills for the job.
There are project management jobs available in many industries, and getting certified by PMI can increase your salary by over 25 percent.
How Long Does It Take to Learn PMBOK?
Earning a project management certification through PMBOK is a time and monetary commitment. First, you must obtain a relevant degree, either at the associate’s or bachelor’s level.
Then you can apply with the PMI to complete 30 hours of project management training or PMBOK courses. After you have finished the training, you can sit for one of the accreditation exams.
How to Learn PMBOK: Step-by-Step
You must study the PMBOK and get PMP certified to succeed as a project manager. Below is a step-by-step process you should follow to get started.
- PMP handbook. First, you should download and read the PMP handbook from pmi.org. This is a short, 20-minute read that will fill you in on how to become PMI certified.
- PMBOK guide. The next logical step is to purchase the PMBOK guide. You might also want to sign up for a PM course on effective leadership. Try to focus on excelling in courses like business, mathematics, and English.
- Bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete and is a common prerequisite for any project manager job. You may also choose to complete an online business degree or a degree in any other related field.
- Apprenticeship. A project management apprenticeship should be high on your list of goals. An apprenticeship will provide you with valuable real-world training that will set you up for your professional career.
- Certification. At this point, you can enroll in an online course as you prepare to take a PMI exam to get certified.
The Best PMBOK Courses and Training
Below are some of the best PMBOK classes and training courses. Any of these options could help you land your dream job in project management.
These courses are aimed at both business analysts and project managers. And remember, the more courses and certifications you can list on your resume, the better!
In-Person PMBOK Classes
These instructor-led courses are offered in-person for project management professionals.
PMP® Classroom Training
- Provider: Master of Project Academy
- Venue: Available globally
- Dates: Varies based on location
- Prerequisites: Experience in project management
- Price: N/A
This option is for professionals who want to get certified. This classroom training will help you prepare for your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
It is created by experienced PMPs and structured around the certification exam prescribed by PMI. It includes both practical knowledge and theory as exam prep.
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PMP Certification Training
- Provider: Reed
- Venue: 308 UK locations
- Dates: Check website for available dates in various locations / 5 Days full-time
- Prerequisites: Experience in project management
- Price: N/A
This five-day classroom course covers everything you will need to know to pass the PMP exam. At the end of this course, you will receive a globally recognized professional certificate approved by PMI.
In this course, you will learn about the five management processes and 10 knowledge areas mentioned above. The course is for both new and experienced project managers.
Online PMBOK Courses
Online courses are a good choice if you work full-time, or are a college student keen to learn more. Setting your own study hours and learning at your own pace can make the process easier.
Certificate in Introduction to Business Analysis Online Course
- Provider: Reed
- Prerequisites: None
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Price: $290
Any business analyst looking to brush up on their project management skills should consider this certificate course. In it, you will learn methods that will help you make sound business decisions. It takes only 6 weeks to complete, with two to four hours of study per week.
The Complete Agile Project Manager
- Provider: PMI
- Prerequisites: Intermediate project management experience
- Duration: N/A
- Price: $372
This course is meant to be taken after you have passed your Agile Project management exam. It will help you make sure that you’re using your knowledge in the most useful way possible.
Knowing the theory is one thing, but implementing it is another. This nine-course series will teach you all about how to be an agile project manager. It includes a certificate at the end.
PMBOK Books
Books are an important part of the learning process. When it comes to studying project management, the most important text is the PMBOK.
Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
As a project manager, you must have a copy of this guide. This flagship publication for all project managers includes an important section on standards for project management. The text is the foundation of all professional PM careers.
Online PMBOK Resources
This section includes some additional online resources you may want to browse. They are useful for brushing up on the principles of PMBOK.
PMI.org
The PMI website has many resources for those who want to continue learning. It is home to over 1,000 templates on project management, and also offers links to publications such as the Project Management Journal.
OliverLehmann.com
This PMP exam self-assessment test resource will be a great help while you study. It contains many free preparation exams that you can use to practice. They each take 120 minutes to complete, and prep questions are available in German, Italian, and Spanish.
ProofHub.org
If you want to read project management news or learn tips and tricks to improve your leadership abilities, the project management software Proof Hub will be of great use.
Should You Study PMBOK?
If your goal is to become a project manager, then it goes without saying that you must get familiar with PMBOK. It is the most well-known text on global project management best practices. Reading it will keep you up to speed on all the fundamentals of monitoring a project correctly.
Studying this guide is also the key to passing exams like the PMP, which will mark you as a certified project management professional.
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