What Is a Method?
A method is a means for achieving an outcome, output, result or project deliverable. Where a principle says why and a process says what, a method describes how something is done.
In Practice
Estimating, decomposition, the critical path method, retrospectives and various analysis techniques are all methods. The PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition treats methods as part of a broader toolkit teams draw on and tailor, rather than a fixed procedure to follow. Choosing the right method for the context — and adapting it — is a core skill.
PMBOK 8 Context
The 8th Edition presents principles, performance domains and a set of models, methods and artifacts. Methods are the “how” the team selects through tailoring. See also critical path method.
FAQ
Method vs. methodology? A method is a single technique; a methodology is a coherent system of methods, principles and practices.
How do teams choose methods? By tailoring to the project’s context, size, risk and development approach.
Author: Tom, PMP-certified since 2004. Last updated: July 2026. Aligned with the PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition.