Key Takeaways
- PMBOK 7 introduced 8 Performance Domains that replaced the 10 Knowledge Areas from PMBOK 6
- The 8 domains are: Stakeholders, Team, Development Approach & Life Cycle, Planning, Project Work, Delivery, Measurement, and Uncertainty
- Performance Domains represent interactive areas of focus that run concurrently throughout the project, not sequential phases
- Do NOT confuse the 8 Performance Domains (from PMBOK 7) with the 3 Exam Domains (People, Process, Business Environment) on the PMP exam
- Each domain includes outcomes that indicate successful project performance and interacts with the other domains throughout the project lifecycle
Last updated: January 2026
Performance Domains Overview
PMBOK 7th Edition replaced the traditional 10 Knowledge Areas with 8 Project Performance Domains. These domains represent integrated areas of focus that enable successful project outcomes.
What Are Performance Domains?
Performance Domains are groups of related activities that are critical for the effective delivery of project outcomes. Unlike the sequential processes of previous editions, domains are:
- Interactive — They work together, not in isolation
- Concurrent — All domains are active throughout the project
- Outcome-focused — Each has specific outcomes indicating success
- Adaptable — Applied differently based on project context
The 8 Performance Domains
| Domain | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1. Stakeholders | Engagement and relationships |
| 2. Team | Leadership and team dynamics |
| 3. Development Approach & Life Cycle | Methodology and phases |
| 4. Planning | Organizing the work |
| 5. Project Work | Executing and managing work |
| 6. Delivery | Creating value and outcomes |
| 7. Measurement | Assessing performance |
| 8. Uncertainty | Risk and ambiguity |
1. Stakeholders Domain
Focus: Engaging with those who affect or are affected by the project.
Key Activities
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Identify Stakeholders | Determine who has interest in the project |
| Analyze Stakeholders | Understand their expectations, influence, and impact |
| Prioritize Engagement | Focus efforts on key stakeholders |
| Build Relationships | Develop trust and collaboration |
| Manage Expectations | Align stakeholder expectations with reality |
Outcomes
- Stakeholders are identified and understood
- Relationships support project success
- Expectations are appropriately managed
- Stakeholder satisfaction is achieved
2. Team Domain
Focus: Creating an effective project team environment.
Key Activities
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Build the Team | Acquire and develop team members |
| Define Team Culture | Establish norms and working agreements |
| Develop Capabilities | Grow team skills and knowledge |
| Empower the Team | Enable autonomous decision-making |
| Recognize Contributions | Acknowledge team member efforts |
Leadership Considerations
| Leadership Aspect | Application |
|---|---|
| Servant Leadership | Serve the team's needs |
| Psychological Safety | Enable open communication |
| Distributed Leadership | Share leadership responsibilities |
| Collaboration | Foster teamwork |
3. Development Approach & Life Cycle Domain
Focus: Selecting and applying the appropriate development approach.
Development Approaches
| Approach | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Predictive (Waterfall) | Sequential, plan-driven, upfront requirements |
| Adaptive (Agile) | Iterative, incremental, evolving requirements |
| Hybrid | Combination of predictive and adaptive elements |
Life Cycle Phases
| Phase | Activities |
|---|---|
| Starting | Authorization, initial planning |
| Organizing | Team setup, detailed planning |
| Performing | Execution, delivery |
| Ending | Transition, closure |
Tailoring Considerations
- Project size and complexity
- Degree of uncertainty
- Organizational culture
- Stakeholder preferences
- Regulatory requirements
4. Planning Domain
Focus: Organizing and elaborating project work.
Planning Elements
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Scope | What will be delivered |
| Schedule | When work will be completed |
| Cost | Budget and financial resources |
| Resources | People, materials, equipment |
| Communications | Information flow |
| Risk | Threats and opportunities |
| Quality | Standards and criteria |
| Procurement | External goods and services |
Planning Characteristics
- Progressive elaboration — Details increase over time
- Adaptability — Plans adjust as needed
- Just enough — Appropriate level of detail for context
- Living documents — Plans evolve throughout the project
5. Project Work Domain
Focus: Establishing processes and performing project work.
Key Activities
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Manage Processes | Implement project management processes |
| Balance Constraints | Manage scope, schedule, cost, quality |
| Maintain Focus | Keep team aligned on objectives |
| Enable Learning | Capture and apply lessons |
| Manage Physical Resources | Equipment, materials, facilities |
Work Execution
| Consideration | Approach |
|---|---|
| New Work | Plan and initiate new activities |
| Implicit Work | Address overhead and supporting tasks |
| Communications | Share information appropriately |
| Change Management | Handle changes to plans |
6. Delivery Domain
Focus: Delivering the intended value and outcomes.
Key Activities
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Deliver Value | Create intended benefits |
| Meet Requirements | Satisfy stakeholder needs |
| Ensure Quality | Deliverables meet standards |
| Support Transition | Enable adoption and use |
| Realize Benefits | Confirm value is achieved |
Value Considerations
| Aspect | Focus |
|---|---|
| Scope of Value | What benefits are expected |
| Timing of Value | When benefits will be realized |
| Value Measurement | How benefits will be assessed |
| Continuous Delivery | Incremental value throughout project |
7. Measurement Domain
Focus: Assessing project performance and taking appropriate actions.
What to Measure
| Metric Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Performance | Schedule, cost, scope adherence |
| Delivery | Features completed, defects |
| Baseline Comparison | Planned vs. actual |
| Forecasts | Estimated completion, final cost |
| Information Flow | Communication effectiveness |
Measurement Approaches
| Approach | Application |
|---|---|
| Leading Indicators | Predict future performance |
| Lagging Indicators | Assess past performance |
| KPIs | Key performance indicators |
| Dashboards | Visual status reporting |
8. Uncertainty Domain
Focus: Addressing risk and ambiguity in projects.
Types of Uncertainty
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Risk | Known unknowns — identifiable events |
| Ambiguity | Lack of understanding or awareness |
| Complexity | Multiple interconnected elements |
| Volatility | Rapid or unpredictable change |
Risk Response Strategies
| For Threats | For Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Exploit |
| Transfer | Share |
| Mitigate | Enhance |
| Accept | Accept |
Important Distinction
Do NOT confuse these 8 Performance Domains with the 3 PMP Exam Domains:
| 8 Performance Domains (PMBOK 7) | 3 Exam Domains (ECO) |
|---|---|
| Stakeholders | People (42%) |
| Team | Process (50%) |
| Development Approach & Life Cycle | Business Environment (8%) |
| Planning | — |
| Project Work | — |
| Delivery | — |
| Measurement | — |
| Uncertainty | — |
The 3 Exam Domains are how the PMP exam is structured; the 8 Performance Domains are how PMBOK 7 organizes project management activities.
Key Takeaways
- PMBOK 7 introduced 8 Performance Domains replacing 10 Knowledge Areas
- Domains are interactive and concurrent, not sequential
- Each domain has specific outcomes indicating success
- The Stakeholders domain focuses on engagement and relationships
- The Uncertainty domain addresses risk, ambiguity, and complexity
- Don't confuse 8 Performance Domains with 3 PMP Exam Domains
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Test Your Knowledge
How many Performance Domains did PMBOK 7th Edition introduce?
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B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
Which Performance Domain focuses on selecting predictive, adaptive, or hybrid approaches for the project?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
The Uncertainty Domain addresses which types of project challenges?
A
B
C
D