What are Project Performance Domains?
Projects are more than “on time” or “late,” “in progress” or “done.” Behind the scenes, a mix of forces shape whether a project feels successful—or like it’s about to derail. These forces are captured in what we call performance domains.
There are eight performance domains you’ll encounter in any project:
Planning – Organizing and coordinating work, not just at the start but continuously.
Uncertainty – Managing risk without spiraling into “what-if” chaos.
Project Work – Breaking down the big plan into smaller, manageable efforts.
Team – Building collaboration so the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Stakeholders – Understanding who cares, why they care, and how to keep them aligned.
Measurement – Tracking progress and quality by “measuring what matters.”
Delivery – Determining what gets delivered, when, and how often.
Development & Lifecycle – Choosing your approach (predictive, adaptive, or hybrid) and guiding projects through phases from initiation to closure.
Each domain is a lens. By looking at projects through them, you gain clarity, balance, and adaptability.
