Book excerpt: This is the revised edition of the first text book in English specially developed for training for IPMA-D and IPMA-C exams, now based on Version 4 of the ICB. In this 4th edition, the text has been restructured and extended to align with the structure and scope of the competence elements in the ICB version 4, divided into Practice competences, People competences and Perspective competences. Therefore, this book will be essential guidance and study book for everyone studying for the IPMA-D, IPMA-C and IPMA-B exams. Besides that, it is an extremely rich source book for those project managers that have committed themselves to a lifelong professional development. In addition, the book had to be applicable to groups of project managers originating from diverse cultures. For this reason, this is not a book that tells how a Westerner must behave in an Arab or an Asian country, but one that looks at the different subjects covered in the ICB, as seen from diverse cultural standpoints. Each chapter is based on the same structure: Key concepts, Introduction, Actions that lead to competence development, Self-assessment, Special topics, Assignments. Text boxes, additional to the main text, give additional explanation to the main text. An elaborate Index of terms allows that this book can be used as a highly up-to-date information source to all aspects of project management. Next to that all, a web-site is available with videos, discussion fora on specific topics, and the opportunity to discuss with the author.