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PMI Process Chart: PMBOK® 6th vs 8th Edition Synthesis
A complete reference chart synthesising the PMBOK® Guide legacy 49 processes with modern, principle-driven performance domains and adaptable delivery frameworks.
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Study Reference
PMBOK® 6th & 8th Ed. Synthesis
- The Evolution of PMBOK® Standards
- PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition Elements
- PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition: The 49 Processes
§1 The Evolution of PMBOK® Standards
The transition from the 6th to the 8th edition represents a fundamental shift in project management paradigms—from prescriptive processes to principle-driven delivery.
The 6th Edition was deeply rooted in a rigid, predictive process matrix: 49 discrete processes mapped across 10 Knowledge Areas and 5 Process Groups. It focused heavily on "how" to perform project management tasks step-by-step.
In contrast, the 8th Edition (and its predecessor, the 7th) pivots to a systems-thinking approach. It introduces Core Principles that guide behaviour and Performance Domains that focus on outcomes rather than rigid deliverables. This synthesis document bridges both worlds, providing practitioners with the modern outcome-focused framework while retaining the tactical process mapping of the 6th edition where adaptive tailoring is required.
Key Insight: Modern project management doesn't abandon the 49 processes; it treats them as a toolkit to be tailored based on the project's unique complexity, delivery approach (predictive, agile, or hybrid), and strategic value.
↑ Contents
§2 PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition Elements
A holistic view of the modern framework, encompassing principles, performance domains, and adaptable guidance.
| Component / Area | Purpose & Application |
|---|---|
| Core Principles (6) | |
| Stewardship | Act responsibly, ethically, and with accountability for project outcomes |
| Collaboration | Build effective relationships and teamwork |
| Value Focus | Prioritise outcomes, benefits, and stakeholder value |
| Systems Thinking | Understand project interactions within the wider organisation |
| Adaptability & Tailoring | Adjust methods, governance, and processes to suit the environment |
| Leadership & Change | Guide people, decisions, and organisational change |
| Performance Domains (7) | |
| Stakeholders | Identify, analyse, engage, and manage stakeholder relationships |
| Team | Develop capable teams, collaboration, leadership, and accountability |
| Planning | Establish approach, scope, schedule, resources, cost, and execution strategy |
| Project Work | Perform project activities, manage resources, communications, and knowledge |
| Delivery | Produce outputs, outcomes, quality, and benefits |
| Measurement | Monitor performance, metrics, forecasting, and decision support |
| Uncertainty | Manage risks, opportunities, complexity, and changing conditions |
| Adaptable Process Guidance (~40 Processes) | |
| Project Integration Processes | Coordinate project components, governance, decisions, changes, and alignment |
| Stakeholder Processes | Identify stakeholders, understand needs, communicate, and maintain engagement |
| Team Processes | Establish teams, develop capability, manage collaboration and performance |
| Planning Processes | Define delivery approach, objectives, requirements, schedules, resources, and budgets |
| Scope & Requirements Processes | Define desired outcomes, boundaries, requirements, and acceptance criteria |
| Schedule Processes | Develop timelines, sequencing, forecasting, and schedule control |
| Cost & Financial Processes | Estimate costs, establish budgets, monitor expenditure, and maintain financial alignment |
| Quality Processes | Plan quality, assure processes, verify deliverables, and improve outcomes |
| Resource Processes | Identify, acquire, optimise, and manage physical and human resources |
| Communication Processes | Create information flow, reporting, collaboration, and transparency |
| Risk & Uncertainty Processes | Identify uncertainty, analyse impacts, develop responses, and monitor conditions |
| Procurement Processes | Plan sourcing, select suppliers, manage contracts, and evaluate supplier performance |
| Change Processes | Assess changes, evaluate impacts, approve decisions, and maintain alignment |
| Measurement Processes | Track progress, analyse performance, forecast outcomes, and support decisions |
| Supporting Modern Guidance | |
| AI in Project Management | AI-assisted estimation, scheduling, reporting, analysis, automation, and decision support |
| PMO Guidance | Governance, standards, capability development, strategic alignment, value management |
| Procurement Evolution | Supplier collaboration, flexible contracting, digital procurement approaches |
| Tailoring | Select appropriate methods, processes, artifacts, and controls |
| Value Delivery System | Connect strategy → portfolios → programs → projects → products → benefits |
| Delivery Approaches | |
| Predictive | Sequential planning and controlled delivery |
| Agile | Incremental, adaptive, customer-focused delivery |
| Hybrid | Combination of predictive and adaptive approaches |
| Product-Oriented | Continuous value delivery through products and capabilities |
§3 PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition: The 49 Processes
The legacy process matrix mapping 10 Knowledge Areas across the 5 traditional Process Groups.
| Knowledge Area | Initiating | Planning | Executing | Monitoring & Controlling | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Integration Management | 1. Develop Project Charter | 2. Develop Project Management Plan | 3. Direct & Manage Project Work 4. Manage Project Knowledge |
5. Monitor & Control Project Work 6. Perform Integrated Change Control |
7. Close Project or Phase |
| Project Scope Management | 8. Plan Scope Management 9. Collect Requirements 10. Define Scope11. Create WBS |
12. Validate Scope 13. Control Scope |
|||
| Project Schedule Management | 14. Plan Schedule Management 15. Define Activities 16. Sequence Activities 17. Estimate Activity Durations 18. Develop Schedule |
19. Control Schedule | |||
| Project Cost Management | 20. Plan Cost Management21. Estimate Costs 22. Determine Budget |
23. Control Costs | |||
| Project Quality Management | 24. Plan Quality Management | 25. Manage Quality | 26. Control Quality | ||
| Project Resource Management | 27. Plan Resource Management28. Estimate Activity Resources | 29. Acquire Resources 30. Develop Team 31. Manage Team |
32. Control Resources | ||
| Project Communications Management | 33. Plan Communications Management | 34. Manage Communications | 35. Monitor Communications | ||
| Project Risk Management | 36. Plan Risk Management 37. Identify Risks 38. Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis 39. Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis 40. Plan Risk Responses |
41. Implement Risk Responses | 42. Monitor Risks | ||
| Project Procurement Management | 43. Plan Procurement Management | 44. Conduct Procurements | 45. Control Procurements | ||
| Project Stakeholder Management | 46. Identify Stakeholders | 47. Plan Stakeholder Engagement | 48. Manage Stakeholder Engagement | 49. Monitor Stakeholder Engagement |