The APM Body of Knowledge

The APM Body of Knowledge is an essential resource for project professionals seeking to adapt and thrive in today’s project environment.

The eighth edition emphasises innovation, sustainability and societal impact, offering valuable insights into the principles, frameworks and methods of contemporary project, programme and portfolio management.

Whether you’re an experienced professional, a career changer, or just starting your journey, this comprehensive resource provides valuable insights and knowledge to help you to navigate the changing landscape and contribute positively to the world around us.

What is new in the APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition?     Buy your copy today

	Data and AI are making their first appearance in the APM Body of Knowledge, highlighting their growing impact and prevalence within real world projects today.
	Sustainability, systems thinking and leadership topics have grown with broader coverage throughout, reflecting the growing complexity and size of projects and the role of people in delivering them within VUCA (volatile, unstable, complex and ambiguous) environments.
	Clearer alignment with the APM Competence Framework to support those undertaking APM qualifications or the APM Chartered Project Professional status.
	We’ve spoken to 100s of project professionals across two consultations to create our latest edition. This is where ‘written for the profession, by the profession’ comes from.
	It's bigger too... with 20 new sections and over 40 new topics.

“Projects are delivered in an increasingly VUCA world. This edition is written by practising project professionals and reflects this new reality, providing you with the knowledge and guidance you need to deliver better outcomes and benefits.”

Prof Mike Bourne, Managing Editor,
APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition

What is inside?

• An extended life cycle structure from the strategic case for projects to the delivery of benefits. 

• An expanse of topics covering iterative and linear life cycles, personal wellbeing, PMOs and other strategic functions. 

• Over 200 recommended reading materials, including APM publications, that professionals can use to expand their knowledge. 

• A comprehensive glossary of key terminology that run throughout the book, from topic to topic. 

Download sample chapter

Who is it for?

Whether you want to understand a discipline, prepare for a job interview, refresh your knowledge or taking an APM qualification, this is an essential resource for you.

Positioned as an all-rounder, the APM Body of Knowledge is for career starters to career developers.

APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition is aligned to the APM Competence Framework, ChPP and PMQ

APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition	APM Competence Framework	Chartered Project Professional	Project Management Qualification
33 sections	29 competencies	28 chartered criteria	24 learning objectives
What is it? Why is it important?	What do I need to be competent?	What competence do I need to be Chartered?	What understanding do I need to gain the PMQ?
Setting up for success	Setting up for success	Setting up for success	Setting up for success
Preparing for change	Preparing for change	Preparing for change	Preparing for change
People and behaviours	People and behaviours	People and behaviours	People and behaviours
Managing deployment	Managing deployment	Managing deployment	Managing deployment
Data and AI
Buy from bookshop	APM Competence Framework	Chartered Standard	Buy from bookshop

Managing Editor - Mike Bourne

Professor of Business Performance at Cranfield University and is the Director of the UK government’s Project Leadership Programme.

Mike has spent the last 15 years working with companies and public sector organisations supporting senior management teams through the process of clarifying and executing their strategy.

He takes a stakeholder approach to clarifying strategy and enabling implementation through alignment of activity to the goals of the organisation.

Contributor - John McGlynn

Chair of the APM Working Group on Data and AI

In today's rapidly changing world, leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming essential to the successful delivery of complex projects. By harnessing the power of data and AI, we can transition to data driven project delivery and enable evidence-based decision-making. This not only ensures efficiency and value for money in delivery but increased certainty in programme outcomes. 

Understanding the use of data and leveraging AI will be crucial for project professionals to stay competitive and adapt to new challenges. Including this as a topic in the Body of Knowledge ensures that project managers are equipped with some fundamental principles as these technologies continue to rapidly evolve.

With thanks to all our contributors 

The 8^th edition was created with input from across the profession, including representatives from a diverse array of sectors and our volunteer community. This insight remains pivotal to ensuring the APM Body of Knowledge remains relevant, accurate and aligned to the profession’s needs. We are thankful to everyone who gave their support and shared their knowledge throughout the development of our flagship publication.

History and evolution of the BOK  

• First published in 1992
• Updated every 5 years