Project Management Body of Knowledge

PMBOK

Project Management Body of Knowledge

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a set of standard terminology and guidelines (a body of knowledge) for project management. The PMBOK Guide is published by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The guide is a document resulting from work overseen by the PMI, which offers a fundamental resource for effective project management in any industry.

Overview

The PMBOK Guide provides project managers with the fundamental practices needed to achieve organizational results and excellence in the practice of project management. It is widely recognized as a standard for managing most projects and is an essential resource for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

History

The first edition of the PMBOK Guide was published in 1996. Since then, it has undergone several updates to reflect the evolving nature of project management. The most recent edition, the seventh edition, was released in 2021.

Structure

The PMBOK Guide is structured into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of project management:

1. Introduction

This section provides an overview of the PMBOK Guide, including its purpose, structure, and the importance of project management.

2. The Standard for Project Management

This section outlines the standard for project management, including the principles and performance domains that are essential for effective project management.

3. Project Performance Domains

The PMBOK Guide identifies several performance domains that are critical for project success. These include:

• Stakeholder Performance Domain
• Team Performance Domain
• Development Approach and Life Cycle Performance Domain
• Planning Performance Domain
• Project Work Performance Domain
• Delivery Performance Domain
• Measurement Performance Domain
• Uncertainty Performance Domain

4. Tailoring

This section discusses the importance of tailoring project management practices to fit the specific needs of the project and the organization.

5. Models, Methods, and Artifacts

This section provides a comprehensive list of models, methods, and artifacts that can be used to support project management activities.

Key Concepts

The PMBOK Guide introduces several key concepts that are essential for effective project management:

• Project Life Cycle: The series of phases that a project goes through from initiation to closure.
• Project Management Processes: The processes that are used to manage a project, which are grouped into five process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.
• Knowledge Areas: The areas of project management that are required for effective project management, including Integration Management, Scope Management, Schedule Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Resource Management, Communications Management, Risk Management, Procurement Management, and Stakeholder Management.

Related Pages

• Project Management
• Project Management Institute
• Project Management Professional
• Project Life Cycle
• Project Management Processes
• Knowledge Areas in Project Management