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Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide
Welcome to the PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition, a comprehensive resource for project management professionals. This guide takes a deeper look into fundamental concepts and constructs of the profession, presenting 12 principles of project management and eight project performance domains critical for effectively delivering project outcomes.
Project Performance Domains
Project Performance Domains are groups of related activities that are critical for the effective delivery of project outcomes. Collectively, these domains represent a project management system of interactive, interrelated, and interdependent capabilities that work in unison to achieve desired project outcomes.
Identify Domains
Recognize the eight performance domains that form an integrated system
Understand Interactions
Learn how domains interact with each other as a system
Apply Knowledge
Implement domain knowledge to enable successful project delivery
Measure Outcomes
Evaluate performance through outcomes-focused measures
Stakeholder Performance Domain
The Stakeholder Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with stakeholders. Stakeholders can affect many aspects of a project, including scope, schedule, cost, team composition, and project outcomes.
Identify
Recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that may affect or be affected by the project
Analyze
Assess stakeholder interests, influence, and impact on project success
Engage
Develop appropriate strategies to effectively engage stakeholders
Monitor
Continuously evaluate stakeholder relationships and adjust engagement strategies
Stakeholder Engagement
Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for project success. It involves understanding stakeholders' interests, needs, and opinions through two-way communication and building solid relationships.
Build Relationships
Establish and maintain solid relationships through frequent, two-way communication with all stakeholders
Encourage Collaboration
Foster collaboration through interactive meetings, face-to-face discussions, and knowledge-sharing activities
Adapt Communication
Tailor communication approaches based on stakeholders' preferences and project needs
Monitor Engagement
Regularly assess stakeholder engagement levels and adjust strategies as needed
Interactions with Other Performance Domains
The Stakeholder Performance Domain interacts with all other performance domains, as stakeholders influence every aspect of project work. Understanding these interactions helps project teams manage stakeholder expectations and deliver successful outcomes.
Team Domain
Stakeholders may influence team composition, provide resources, or require specific expertise
Team members are stakeholders who need appropriate engagement strategies
Development Approach Domain
Stakeholder preferences may influence the selection of development approaches
Different approaches require different stakeholder engagement strategies
Planning Domain
Stakeholders provide requirements and constraints that shape project planning
Stakeholder engagement plans are part of overall project planning
Checking Results in Stakeholder Domain
Project teams need to regularly check outcomes in the Stakeholder Performance Domain to ensure effective engagement and alignment with project objectives. This involves assessing stakeholder satisfaction, communication effectiveness, and overall engagement levels.
Engagement Assessment
Evaluate stakeholder participation levels and quality of interactions to ensure meaningful engagement
Communication Effectiveness
Measure how well information is being shared, understood, and acted upon by stakeholders
Relationship Quality
Assess the strength and productivity of relationships with key stakeholders throughout the project
Issue Resolution
Track how effectively stakeholder concerns and issues are being addressed and resolved
Team Performance Domain
The Team Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with the people who are responsible for producing project deliverables that realize business outcomes. This domain addresses team management, leadership, and creating a collaborative team culture.

High-Performing Teams
Teams that consistently deliver exceptional results
Team Culture
Shared values, norms, and working environment
Team Management
Organizing and coordinating team activities
Team Formation
Assembling the right people with complementary skills
Project Team Management and Leadership
Effective project team management involves organizing team members to accomplish project work while leadership focuses on motivating and inspiring the team to achieve project objectives. Both aspects are crucial for project success.
Team Formation
Assemble team members with the right skills and experience to meet project requirements
Role Definition
Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships
Team Development
Provide training, mentoring, and growth opportunities to enhance team capabilities
Performance Management
Monitor team performance, provide feedback, and address issues promptly
Project Team Culture
Project team culture encompasses the shared values, norms, and working environment that influence how team members interact and perform. A positive team culture fosters collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
Trust
Building an environment where team members feel safe to express ideas, take risks, and be vulnerable
Communication
Establishing open, honest, and transparent communication channels
Collaboration
Encouraging teamwork and collective problem-solving
Innovation
Fostering creativity and continuous improvement
High-Performing Project Teams
High-performing project teams consistently deliver exceptional results by combining technical expertise, effective collaboration, and a shared commitment to project success. These teams adapt to challenges and continuously improve their performance.
Shared Purpose
Team members understand and are committed to project goals and objectives
  • Clear vision of success
  • Alignment with organizational strategy
  • Personal connection to outcomes
Complementary Skills
Team composition includes diverse technical and interpersonal skills
  • Technical expertise
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Communication capabilities
Mutual Accountability
Team members hold themselves and each other responsible for results
  • Shared ownership of outcomes
  • Commitment to quality
  • Constructive feedback
Leadership Skills
Effective leadership skills are essential for guiding project teams toward successful outcomes. These skills include technical expertise, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt leadership styles to different situations.
Technical Leadership
Domain expertise that enables informed decision-making and problem-solving
  • Industry knowledge
  • Technical proficiency
  • Problem-solving abilities
Strategic Leadership
Ability to connect project work to organizational goals and navigate complexity
  • Vision setting
  • Strategic thinking
  • Business acumen
People Leadership
Skills for motivating, developing, and guiding team members
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Emotional intelligence is a critical component of effective leadership, enabling project managers to understand and manage their own emotions while empathetically responding to the emotions of team members and stakeholders.
1
1
Self-Awareness
Understanding your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others
Self-Management
Controlling disruptive emotions and adapting to changing circumstances
3
3
Social Awareness
Recognizing and understanding the emotions of team members and stakeholders
Relationship Management
Building and maintaining positive relationships and influencing others effectively
Tailoring Leadership Styles
Effective project leaders adapt their leadership style based on the situation, team composition, and project requirements. Different contexts call for different approaches to leadership.

2

Situational Assessment
Evaluate context and requirements
2
Team Consideration
Understand team needs and capabilities
Style Adaptation
Apply appropriate leadership approach
Effective leaders recognize when to be directive, when to be collaborative, and when to delegate. They adjust their approach based on team maturity, task complexity, and project phase to maximize team performance and project outcomes.
Development Approach and Life Cycle Performance Domain
The Development Approach and Life Cycle Performance Domain addresses the activities and functions associated with the development approach, cadence, and life cycle of the project. This domain focuses on selecting the most appropriate approach based on project characteristics and constraints.
1
Approach Selection
Choose appropriate development methodology
Cadence Definition
Establish rhythm for development and delivery
Life Cycle Planning
Structure project phases and transitions
Continuous Adaptation
Refine approach based on project needs
Development, Cadence, and Life Cycle Relationship
Understanding the relationship between development approach, delivery cadence, and project life cycle is essential for effective project planning and execution. These elements work together to create a cohesive framework for project delivery.
Development Approach
The method used to create and evolve the project deliverables
  • Predictive (waterfall)
  • Iterative
  • Incremental
  • Adaptive (agile)
  • Hybrid
Delivery Cadence
The rhythm or pattern of work and deliverable releases
  • Single delivery
  • Multiple releases
  • Regular intervals
  • Continuous delivery
Life Cycle
The series of phases the project passes through from start to completion
  • Project phases
  • Gates and milestones
  • Phase transitions
  • Project closure
Delivery Cadence
Delivery cadence refers to the rhythm or pattern of work and deliverable releases throughout the project life cycle. The appropriate cadence depends on project characteristics, stakeholder needs, and organizational context.
1
Single Delivery
All deliverables released at project completion
2
Multiple Releases
Deliverables released at predefined milestones
3
Regular Intervals
Consistent delivery schedule (sprints, iterations)
4
Continuous Delivery
Frequent, ongoing releases as features are completed
Development Approaches
Development approaches define how project deliverables are created and evolved. Projects may use predictive, iterative, incremental, adaptive, or hybrid approaches based on project characteristics and requirements.
Predictive (Waterfall)
Sequential approach where phases are completed one after another
  • Detailed upfront planning
  • Well-defined requirements
  • Limited changes during execution
Iterative
Repeated cycles of development to refine deliverables
  • Progressive elaboration
  • Feedback incorporation
  • Continuous improvement
Incremental
Deliverables developed and delivered in portions
  • Phased delivery
  • Growing functionality
  • Early value realization
Adaptive (Agile)
Flexible approach that embraces change and continuous feedback
  • Iterative and incremental
  • Customer collaboration
  • Responding to change
Considerations for Selecting a Development Approach
Selecting the appropriate development approach requires careful consideration of various factors related to the project, organization, and environment. The right approach enhances project success by aligning with project characteristics and constraints.
Requirements Clarity
Consider how well-defined and stable the requirements are at the project outset
Stakeholder Involvement
Evaluate the level and frequency of stakeholder engagement needed
Project Complexity
Assess the complexity of deliverables and interdependencies
Risk Profile
Consider the level of uncertainty and potential for change
Time Constraints
Evaluate schedule flexibility and time-to-market requirements
Organizational Culture
Consider organizational preferences, capabilities, and experience
Life Cycle and Phase Definitions
A project life cycle is the series of phases that a project passes through from start to completion. Project phases are logical groupings of activities that culminate in the completion of one or more deliverables.
Predictive Life Cycle
Sequential phases with well-defined transitions
  • Initiation
  • Planning
  • Execution
  • Monitoring and Controlling
  • Closing
Incremental Life Cycle
Deliverables produced through successive iterations
  • Initial planning
  • Multiple delivery cycles
  • Incremental value delivery
  • Final integration
Adaptive Life Cycle
Iterative and incremental approach with continuous feedback
  • Vision and roadmap
  • Backlog creation
  • Iterative development
  • Continuous delivery
  • Ongoing adaptation
Aligning Delivery Cadence, Development Approach, and Life Cycle
Successful projects align delivery cadence, development approach, and life cycle to create a cohesive framework for project execution. This alignment ensures that the project delivery strategy supports project objectives and stakeholder needs.
Assess Project Characteristics
Evaluate requirements clarity, complexity, constraints, and stakeholder needs
Select Development Approach
Choose predictive, iterative, incremental, adaptive, or hybrid based on assessment
Determine Delivery Cadence
Establish rhythm for deliverable releases that supports the development approach
Structure Life Cycle
Define phases, gates, and transitions that facilitate the chosen approach and cadence
Planning Performance Domain
The Planning Performance Domain addresses activities and functions associated with the initial, ongoing, and evolving organization of project work. Effective planning establishes a framework for project execution while allowing for adaptation as the project progresses.

3

Alignment
Ensuring project plans support objectives
Adaptation
Adjusting plans as project evolves
3
Integration
Coordinating various planning elements
Elaboration
Developing detailed plans from high-level concepts
Planning Variables
Planning variables are the key elements that project teams must consider when developing project plans. These variables interact with each other and influence how the project will be executed and managed.
Schedule
Timeline, milestones, and sequence of activities
Budget
Cost estimates, funding, and financial constraints
Scope
Deliverables, requirements, and work boundaries
4
4
Resources
Team members, materials, and equipment
Risk
Uncertainties, threats, and opportunities
Quality
Standards, criteria, and acceptance requirements
Project Work Performance Domain
The Project Work Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with establishing project processes, managing physical resources, and fostering team collaboration. This domain ensures that project work is performed effectively and efficiently.
Process Management
Establishing and maintaining effective project processes
Constraint Balancing
Managing competing demands and limitations
Team Collaboration
Fostering effective teamwork and communication
Change Management
Monitoring and adapting to project changes
Project Processes
Project processes are the systematic activities that project teams perform to accomplish project work. Well-designed processes enhance efficiency, quality, and consistency in project execution.
Process Types
  • Initiating processes
  • Planning processes
  • Executing processes
  • Monitoring and controlling processes
  • Closing processes
Process Characteristics
  • Inputs and outputs
  • Tools and techniques
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Decision points
  • Documentation requirements
Process Benefits
  • Consistency in execution
  • Efficiency in operations
  • Quality in deliverables
  • Clarity in expectations
  • Effective knowledge transfer
Balancing Competing Constraints
Project teams must balance competing constraints such as scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risk. Changes in one constraint typically affect at least one other constraint, requiring careful management and trade-off decisions.
Scope
What must be delivered to achieve project objectives
Schedule
Timeline for delivering project scope
Cost
Budget required to deliver project scope
4
4
Quality
Standards that deliverables must meet
5
5
Resources
People, materials, and equipment needed
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6
Risk
Uncertainties that may impact project objectives
Delivery Performance Domain
The Delivery Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with delivering project scope and quality to realize business value. This domain ensures that project deliverables meet requirements and contribute to intended outcomes.
Value Delivery
Ensuring project outputs contribute to business outcomes and stakeholder benefits
Scope Management
Defining, validating, and controlling what is included in and excluded from the project
Quality Management
Ensuring deliverables meet requirements and fitness for purpose
Benefit Realization
Facilitating the achievement of intended business benefits
Delivery of Value
Delivering value is the ultimate purpose of projects. Value delivery focuses on ensuring that project outputs enable the intended outcomes and benefits that contribute to organizational goals and stakeholder needs.
Project Outputs
Tangible deliverables produced by the project
Capabilities
New or enhanced abilities enabled by project outputs
Business Outcomes
Results achieved through the use of project capabilities
Benefits
Gains realized by the organization and stakeholders
Value
Worth, importance, or usefulness derived from benefits
Deliverables
Deliverables are the tangible or intangible products, services, or results produced by a project. Effective deliverable management ensures that project outputs meet requirements and contribute to intended outcomes.
Deliverable Types
  • Products (physical items)
  • Services (performed functions)
  • Results (outcomes or documents)
  • Capabilities (new abilities)
Deliverable Management
  • Requirements definition
  • Design and development
  • Verification and validation
  • Acceptance and handover
Deliverable Documentation
  • Specifications
  • Design documents
  • Test reports
  • User manuals
  • Handover documents
Quality
Quality in project management refers to the degree to which deliverables fulfill requirements and are fit for purpose. Quality management ensures that project outputs meet stakeholder expectations and contribute to intended outcomes.

Quality Planning
Establishing quality standards and approaches
Quality Assurance
Ensuring processes will produce quality results
Quality Control
Verifying deliverables meet quality standards
Quality management focuses on both preventing defects through proper planning and process design, and detecting and correcting defects through inspection and testing. The cost of quality increases significantly when defects are found later in the project life cycle, making early quality management essential.
Measurement Performance Domain
The Measurement Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with assessing project performance and taking appropriate actions to maintain acceptable performance. Effective measurement provides insights for decision-making and continuous improvement.
Establishing Effective Measures
Establishing effective measures involves selecting appropriate metrics that provide meaningful insights into project performance. Good measures are aligned with project objectives, relevant to stakeholders, and actionable for decision-making.
Define Objectives
Clearly articulate what the project aims to achieve
Identify Key Questions
Determine what information is needed to assess progress and make decisions
3
Select Metrics
Choose measures that provide insights into project performance
Establish Measurement Process
Define how, when, and by whom data will be collected and analyzed
5
Review and Refine
Continuously evaluate and improve measurement approach
What to Measure
Project teams need to determine what aspects of the project to measure based on project objectives, stakeholder needs, and organizational requirements. Effective measurement focuses on key performance indicators that provide meaningful insights.
Progress Measures
Track advancement toward project completion
  • Percent complete
  • Milestones achieved
  • Deliverables completed
Resource Measures
Monitor utilization of project resources
  • Budget consumption
  • Resource allocation
  • Team capacity
Quality Measures
Assess conformance to requirements
  • Defect rates
  • Test coverage
  • Customer satisfaction
Value Measures
Evaluate benefits and outcomes
  • Business value delivered
  • Return on investment
  • Stakeholder satisfaction
Uncertainty Performance Domain
The Uncertainty Performance Domain focuses on activities and functions associated with risk and uncertainty. This domain addresses how project teams identify, evaluate, and respond to project ambiguity, complexity, and volatility to minimize threats and maximize opportunities.
Ambiguity
Lack of clarity or understanding about project elements
Complexity
Interconnected elements with non-linear relationships
Volatility
Rapid and unpredictable changes in project environment
Risk
Uncertain events that may affect project objectives
Risk
Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, can have a positive or negative effect on project objectives. Effective risk management involves identifying, analyzing, and responding to risks throughout the project life cycle.
Risk Identification
Determine which risks may affect the project and document their characteristics
Risk Analysis
Evaluate probability and impact of identified risks
Risk Response Planning
Develop options and actions to enhance opportunities and reduce threats
4
Risk Monitoring
Track identified risks, monitor residual risks, identify new risks, and evaluate effectiveness of responses
Tailoring
Tailoring in project management involves adapting approaches, processes, and practices to suit the specific needs of the project, organization, and environment. Effective tailoring enhances project performance by applying "just enough" process to achieve desired outcomes.
131
Pages in Section 3
Dedicated to tailoring guidance in PMBOK 7th Edition
8
Performance Domains
That can be tailored for project needs
4
Tailoring Steps
In the recommended tailoring process
12
Project Principles
That guide tailoring decisions
The PMBOK Guide emphasizes that each project is unique and requires a tailored approach. By adapting methods, tools, and practices to fit the specific context, project teams can maximize value, manage cost, and enhance speed while achieving desired outcomes.