The concept of networking in the real world typically refers to the actions in which an individual attempts to meet with and gain contact with as many significant people as possible within their professional industry in hopes of ultimately using these contacts to actually further one’s own professional standing. In terms of project management terminology, the concept of networking refers specifically to a project management technique in which a series of relationships may be developed by the project management team and or project management team leader with any number of persons who may be in a position of sorts to assist or provide any form of aid to the project management team in the attempts by the project management team to attain some sort of goal, objective, milestone, or responsibility along the way of the completion of the project and or any particular phase of the project. Networking is an effective means of garnering support for ongoing projects as well as contacts for assistance with future endeavors.
This term is defined in the 3rd edition of the PMBOK but not in the 4th.