What Is the PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO)?

The Exam Content Outline (ECO) is PMI’s official blueprint for the PMP exam. It defines:

• What knowledge and skills are tested

• How exam questions are distributed

• The behaviours PMI expects from competent project managers

All PMP exam questions are written directly from the ECO. Study materials, training courses, and mock exams should therefore be aligned to it.

PMP® 2026 Exam Domains and Weighting

The PMP exam is structured around three performance-based domains, each with a specific weighting.

People – 33%

The People domain focuses on leadership and interpersonal skills. It reflects the reality that project managers spend a significant portion of their time working with people rather than managing documents.

Key areas include:

• Leading and motivating teams

• Managing conflict and collaboration

• Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Emotional intelligence and leadership behaviours

PMP questions in this domain are typically situational, asking what the project manager should do first or next in a real-world scenario.

Process – 41%

The Process domain covers how work is planned, executed, monitored, and adapted. This is the largest domain on the exam.

It includes:

• Planning and managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk

• Selecting the appropriate delivery approach (predictive, agile, or hybrid)

• Monitoring performance and managing change

• Delivering value incrementally

Questions in this domain test decision-making, not rote memorisation, and often compare agile, hybrid, and predictive options.

Business Environment – 26%

The Business Environment domain represents PMI’s increased emphasis on strategic awareness and organisational impact.

It covers:

• Strategic alignment of projects with organisational goals

• Governance, compliance, and regulatory considerations

• Benefits realisation and value delivery

• Understanding the external and enterprise environment

This domain ensures PMP holders can operate effectively at a business and strategic level, not just at the project delivery level.

Why the ECO Matters More Than the PMBOK® Guide

While PMI publications such as the PMBOK® Guide remain important references, the PMP exam is not based on book chapters. It is based on the ECO.

This means:

• Studying only the PMBOK® Guide is not sufficient

• Training and mock exams must be mapped to ECO domains

• Exam success depends on applying PMI’s mindset to scenarios

Key Takeaway for PMP Candidates

The PMP 2026 exam tests how you think and decide as a project manager, not how well you memorise terminology.

To prepare effectively:

• Focus on People, Process, and Business Environment domains

• Practice scenario-based questions

• Study agile, hybrid, and predictive approaches together

Understanding the Exam Content Outline is the foundation of a successful PMP preparation strategy.