While the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition has reshaped how project management is framed in the latest PMP® exam, PMBOK 6 is far from obsolete. In fact, understanding the knowledge areas and processes from PMBOK 6 is still essential for success on the exam.
In this article, we’ll explore why mastering PMBOK 6 is still a smart strategy, even as the PMI embraces new performance domains and principles in PMBOK 7.
📘 What Are the PMBOK 6 Knowledge Areas?
The Sixth Edition of the PMBOK Guide organizes project management into 10 essential Knowledge Areas:
- Integration Management
- Scope Management
- Schedule Management
- Cost Management
- Quality Management
- Resource Management
- Communications Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- Stakeholder Management
These areas help project managers organize and apply processes systematically across all project phases.
🧠 Why They Still Matter for the PMP Exam
Even though the current PMP exam is built around the Exam Content Outline (ECO) and PMBOK 7’s performance domains, many exam questions still draw directly from the concepts, tools, and techniques introduced in PMBOK 6.
These include:
- Risk response strategies
- Estimation methods
- Change control processes
- Stakeholder engagement planning
- Communication and resource management frameworks
💡 Bottom line: PMBOK 6 teaches you the "how," which supports the "why" of PMBOK 7’s principle-based approach.
🔁 Bridging PMBOK 6 and PMBOK 7
The PMBOK 7 framework emphasizes principles, performance domains, and adaptability. It’s less about memorizing processes and more about applying sound judgment in context.
However, the PMBOK 6 framework gives you the technical depth and process understanding you’ll still need for scenario-based questions.
Together, they form a powerful combination for mastering the PMP exam.
🎓 Ready to Get PMP Certified?
If you're planning to take the PMP exam soon, our PMP Certification Prep Program is designed to prepare you comprehensively using both PMBOK 6 and PMBOK 7 frameworks.
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Includes:
- 36 contact hours of training
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- Mock exams, quizzes & downloadable resources
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