If you’re preparing for the PMP exam or keeping up with PMI’s latest updates, the PMBOK 8th Edition is worth a close look. This edition goes beyond traditional frameworks to focus on value delivery, sustainability, AI integration, and modern governance. It’s designed for today’s dynamic project environments—where adaptability and leadership are as important as structure and process.
In this post, we’ll explore the PMBOK 8th Edition Table of Contents, understand what’s new, and see how the guide is organized to help you become a more effective project manager.
What’s New in PMBOK 8th Edition
The PMBOK 8th Edition builds on the 7th Edition’s principle-based structure but reintroduces process groups as “focus areas” to bring balance between agile and predictive methods.
Some key updates include:
Greater emphasis on value delivery and sustainability
Integration of AI and digital transformation
New and refined performance domains
Updated principles that connect strategy and project execution
Better alignment with organizational governance and business outcomes
The book has two main parts:
The Standard for Project Management – the global framework and core principles.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – detailed practices, performance domains, and tools.
PMBOK 8th Edition Table of Contents
Here’s the complete PMBOK 8th Edition Table of Contents as outlined in the new guide.
The Standard for Project Management
Preface
Evidence-Based and Globally Represented
Summary of Changes
Update of Key Terms and Concepts
Refined Principles
Reintroducing Process Groups as Focus Areas
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose of The Standard for Project Management
1.2 Key Terms and Concepts
1.3 Foundational Elements of Project Management
1.3.1 Characteristics of a Project
1.3.2 Connecting Organizational Governance and Project Governance
1.3.3 Operations and Project Management
1.3.4 Relationship of Portfolio, Program, Project, and Operations Management
2. A System for Value Delivery
2.1 Creating Value
2.1.1 Value Delivery Components
2.1.2 Assessing Project Success
2.2 Project Environment
2.2.1 Enterprise Environmental Factors
2.2.2 Organizational Process Assets
2.2.3 Policies, Processes, and Procedures
2.2.4 Organizational Knowledge Repositories
2.2.5 Organizational Structures
2.3 Product Management Considerations
2.4 Functions Associated With Projects
2.4.1 Provide Oversight and Coordination
2.4.2 Solicit and Manage Feedback
2.4.3 Facilitate and Support
2.4.4 Perform Work
2.4.5 Apply Expertise
2.4.6 Provide Organizational Direction and Insight
2.4.7 Provide Resources
2.5 Project Management Roles
2.5.1 Project Management Team
2.5.2 Sponsor, Customer, or Product Owner
2.5.3 Project Team
2.5.4 End Users and Other Key Stakeholders
3. Project Management Principles
3.1 The Project Management Mindset
3.2 Principles and Performance Domains
3.3 Adopt a Holistic View
3.4 Focus on Value
3.5 Embed Quality Into Processes and Deliverables
3.6 Be an Accountable Leader
3.7 Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas
3.8 Build an Empowered Culture
4. Project Life Cycles
4.1 Project Phases
4.2 Project Development Approaches
4.2.1 Predictive Approaches
4.2.2 Adaptive Approaches
4.2.3 Hybrid Approaches
4.3 Considerations for a Development Approach Selection
4.4 Delivery Cadence
4.5 Project Management Focus Areas
4.5.1 Initiating Focus Area
4.5.2 Planning Focus Area
4.5.3 Executing Focus Area
4.5.4 Monitoring and Controlling Focus Area
4.5.5 Closing Focus Area
4.5.6 Focus Areas as a Whole
References
Index
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)
1. Introduction
1.1 Structure of the PMBOK® Guide
1.2 Relationship of the PMBOK® Guide and The Standard for Project Management
1.3 Changes to the PMBOK® Guide
1.4 Relationship to PMIstandards+®
2. Project Management Performance Domains
2.1 Governance Performance Domain
2.2 Scope Performance Domain
2.3 Schedule Performance Domain
2.4 Finance Performance Domain
2.5 Stakeholders Performance Domain
2.6 Resources Performance Domain
2.7 Risk Performance Domain
3. Tailoring
3.1 Overview
3.2 Why Tailor
3.3 What to Tailor
3.4 The Tailoring Process
3.5 Tailoring the Performance Domains
3.6 Diagnostics
3.7 Summary
4. Inputs and Outputs
5. Tools and Techniques
Appendices
X1: Contributors and Reviewers
X2: Project Management Offices
X3: Artificial Intelligence in Project Management
X4: Procurement
X5: Evolution of the PMBOK® Guide
References
Bibliography
Glossary
Index
Why This Edition Matters
The PMBOK 8th Edition goes beyond methodology. It integrates leadership, governance, and sustainability—acknowledging that successful project management isn’t just about process, but about people, culture, and value creation.
It also brings AI and technology adoption to the forefront, showing project managers how digital tools can improve estimation, risk analysis, and decision-making.
For PMP aspirants, understanding the PMBOK 8th Edition Table of Contents helps structure your preparation. Knowing what’s inside allows you to focus on what PMI values most: delivering consistent value through well-aligned projects.
Final Thoughts
The PMBOK 8th Edition represents a balanced approach between structure and flexibility. It retains the foundational elements that made PMI’s standards global benchmarks but evolves them to fit today’s agile and hybrid realities.
If you’re planning to appear for the PMP exam or simply want to stay current as a project professional, exploring each chapter of this edition is a smart move.
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