Episode 542: Inside PMBOK Guide 8: What Project Managers Must Know

Episode 542: Inside PMBOK Guide 8: What Project Managers Must Know

From The Project Management Podcast by Cornelius Fichtner

November 21, 2025

About this episode

This episode features Jesse Fewell discussing the significant updates in the eighth edition of the PMBOK Guide and its implications for project management.

Play audio-only episode | Play video episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Click above to play either the audio-only episode or video episode in a new window. Episode Summary The eighth edition of the PMBOK Guide has dropped and it represents another significant evolutions in PMI’s standards. This conversation takes listeners directly inside its development. Jesse Fewell, who chaired the PMBOK Guide 8 effort, offers a detailed look at how tens of thousands of data points, practitioner feedback, and extensive review cycles shaped the newest edition. He explains how the standard brings greater clarity, a more intuitive structure, and practical guidance that aligns with the way projects actually unfold rather than how we might idealize them on paper. This episode also highlights major updates, including a fully revised definition of a project and a modernized view of project success that emphasizes value, perception, and consensus across stakeholders, even when budgets or schedules are challenged.

People in this episode

Host: Cornelius Fichtner

Guest: Jesse Fewell

Topics covered

  • PMBOK Guide
  • project management
  • standards evolution
  • project success
  • stakeholder consensus

Keywords

  • PMBOK Guide
  • project management
  • Jesse Fewell
  • PMI standards
  • project success
  • stakeholder engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PMI

Books & works: PMBOK Guide 8

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