Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Framework

Note: This article is updated at Project Management Body of Knowledge at a Glance.

Here is a quick map of the process groups, knowledge areas, and processes in the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge).  Regardless of the PMI certification, I think it’s useful to know how the knowledge for project management is organized by experts and professionals.   This will help you more effectively navigate the space, and learn project management at a faster pace, because you can better organize the information in your mind.

If you are a program manager or a project manager, the categories are especially helpful for checking your knowledge and for thinking of projects more holistically.   You can also use the knowledge areas to grow your skills by exploring each area and building your catalog of principles, patterns, and practices.

Process Groups and Knowledge Areas
Here is a quick map of the process groups and knowledge areas in the Project Management Body of Knowledge:

Category	Items
Process Groups	Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing
Knowledge Areas	Project Integration Management Project Scope Management Project Time Management Project Cost Management Project Quality Management Project Human Resource Management Project Communications Management Project Risk Management Project Procurement Management

Knowledge Areas and Processes
Here is a quick topology view of the Knowledge Areas and the processes:

Knowledge Area	Processes
Project Integration Management	Develop Project Charter Develop Primary Project Scope Statement Develop Project Management Plan Direct and Manage Project Execution Monitor and Control Project Work Integrated Change Control Close Project
Project Scope Management	Scope Planning Scope Definition Create WBS Scope Verification Scope Control
Project Time Management	Activity Definition Activity Sequencing Activity Resource Planning Activity Duration Estimating Schedule Development Schedule Control
Project Cost Management	Cost Estimating Cost Budgeting Cost Control
Project Quality Management	Quality Planning Perform Quality Assurance Perform Quality Control
Project Human Resource Management	Human Resource Planning Acquire Project Team Develop Project Team Manage Project Team
Project Communication Management	Communication Planning Information Distribution Performance Reporting Manage Stakeholders
Project Risk Management	Risk Management Planning Risk Identification Qualitative Risk Analysis Quantitative Risk Analysis Risk Response Planning Risk Monitoring and Control
Project Procurement Management	Plan Purchase and Acquisition Plan Contracting Request Seller Responses Select Sellers Contract Administration Contract Closure