Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) ® Guide

The primary purpose of the PMBOK ® Guide is to identify that subset of the Project Management Body of Knowledge that is generally recognized as good practice. means to provide a general overview as opposed to an exhaustive means that the knowledge and practices described are applicable to most projects most of the time, and that there is there is general agreement that the correct application of these skills, tools, and techniques can enhance the chances of success over a wide range of different projects. Good practice does not mean that the knowledge described should always be applied uniformly on all projects; the project management team is responsible for determining what is appropriate for any given project.

The PMBOK ® Guide also provides and promotes a common lexicon for discussing, writing, and applying project management. Such a standard lexicon is an essential element of a profession.

• The Project Management Institute uses this document as a foundational, but not sole, project management reference for its professional development programs including: Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification
• Project management education and training offered by PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)
• Accreditation of educational programs in project management.

As a foundational reference, this standard is neither comprehensive nor all- inclusive. Appendix D discusses application area extensions, while Appendix E lists sources of further information on project management.

This standard addresses only single projects and the project management processes that are generally recognized as good practice. There are other standards on organizational project management maturity, project manager competency, and other topics that address what is generally recognized as good practices in those areas. Some of the material in those other standards impacts single projects. The other standards should be consulted for additional information and understanding of the broader context in which projects are accomplished.

Project management standards do not address all details of every topic. Topics
are not mentioned should not be considered unimportant. There are several reasons
a topic may not be included in a standard: it may be included within some other related standard; it may be so general that there is nothing uniquely applicable to project management; or there is insufficient consensus on a topic. The lack of consensus means there are variations in the profession regarding how, when or where within the organization, as well as who within the organization, should perform that specific project management activity.

The organization or the project management team must decide how those activities are going to be addressed in the context and the circumstances of the project for which the PMBOK ® Guide is being used.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK ® Guide) Four Edition