Project management has changed a lot since it started around the 1950s. Core parts of project management are called Knowledge Areas. These are separate areas of skill needed for managing projects well.

These Knowledge Areas work with different methods, like Waterfall or Agile. But how they are used can look very different. Waterfall follows clear steps. Agile uses short, repeated cycles.

Companies need to choose the right approach for them. Some methods focus on planning ahead. Others are more flexible and focus on value. Understanding Knowledge Areas helps make this choice.

This text looks at what these Knowledge Areas cover. It also shows how they apply in different project methods. We explore how they affect companies and how they change as business changes. Knowing this helps project managers use these skills better. This leads to success in different kinds of projects.

Project management relies on Knowledge Areas. These are key areas of skill. The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines them in its Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).

These areas offer set ways to manage project tasks. This covers the whole project lifecycle, from start to finish.

The PMBOK® Guide lists ten Knowledge Areas:

1. Project Integration Management: This is the main area for linking all project parts. It brings everything together. Key steps include:

   • Making the project charter and plan.
   • Guiding the project work.
   • Watching progress.
   • Handling changes smoothly.
   • Closing the project or a phase. Integration Management helps all other areas work together as one.

2. Project Scope Management: This area sets the project's limits. It defines what work is included and what is not. Key tasks are:

   • Gathering requirements (what is needed).
   • Defining the scope clearly.
   • Making a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to list tasks.
   • Checking and controlling the scope. Good scope management ensures only needed work gets done.

3. Project Schedule Management: This deals with project timing and the order of tasks. (It used to be called Time Management). It involves:

   • Defining project tasks.
   • Putting tasks in the right order.
   • Finding links between tasks.
   • Estimating needed resources (people, tools).
   • Estimating how long tasks will take.
   • Making the schedule.
   • Controlling the schedule as work happens. This creates a project timeline and tracks progress.

4. Project Cost Management: This area handles project money. It includes planning costs and making budgets. It also involves controlling costs during the project. The goal is to finish within the budget. Steps include:

   • Estimating costs.
   • Setting the budget.
   • Getting funding if needed.
   • Tracking spending. Earned Value Management is often used to check cost performance.

5. Project Quality Management: This makes sure the project meets all needs. This includes needs that are written down and those that are expected. It involves:

   • Planning for quality.
   • Doing quality assurance tasks (checking processes).
   • Controlling quality (checking results). This means setting quality goals, checking work, and monitoring results.

6. Project Resource Management: This area manages project resources. (It used to be called Human Resource Management). Resources include people (the team) and things (like tools or materials). Key tasks are:

   • Figuring out what resources are needed.
   • Getting those resources.
   • Helping the team develop skills and work well together.
   • Managing how resources are used.

7. Project Communications Management: This ensures project information is shared correctly and on time. It covers how info is planned, gathered, made, shared, stored, and managed. Key parts are:

   • Planning how to communicate.
   • Sharing information effectively.
   • Reporting on project performance.
   • Managing talks with stakeholders.

8. Project Risk Management: This area deals with things that might go wrong (uncertainty or risks). It involves finding and reviewing possible risks. Then, plans are made to handle them. The steps include:

   • Planning how to manage risk.
   • Finding risks.
   • Analyzing risks (how likely, how big the impact).
   • Planning how to respond to risks.
   • Putting responses into action.
   • Watching risks throughout the project.

9. Project Procurement Management: This handles buying goods or services needed for the project from outside the team. It involves:

   • Planning what to buy and how.
   • Getting bids or proposals and choosing sellers.
   • Managing contracts and seller relationships.
   • Closing out the contracts when work is done.

10. Project Stakeholder Management: This area focuses on people or groups involved in the project. Stakeholders might affect the project or be affected by it. Key steps are:

    • Finding the stakeholders.
    • Understanding their needs and influence.
    • Making plans to work with them effectively.
    • Keeping them involved throughout the project.

Other ways to manage projects exist besides PMBOK®. They might group these ideas differently. For example, PRINCE2 uses seven themes (like Business Case, Plans, Risk). These are similar to PMBOK® areas but not the same. The International Project Management Association (IPMA) uses a skill-based model. It includes technical skills, people skills, and situational skills.