Direct answer: PMI-PBA exam domains
The PMI-PBA exam evaluates candidates across five core business analysis domains: needs assessment, planning, analysis, traceability & monitoring, and evaluation.
Definition of exam domains
Domains are broad topic areas representing major business analysis task groups within the PMI-PBA exam structure.
- Needs Assessment
- Planning
- Analysis
- Traceability & Monitoring
- Evaluation
Domain overview and focus
Each domain encompasses related tasks and knowledge areas tested on the exam.
Needs Assessment
Tasks involving identification of business needs and problem definition.
Planning
Tasks related to creating business analysis plans and approaches.
Analysis
Tasks covering breakdown and detailed analysis of requirements.
Traceability & Monitoring
Tasks involving tracking requirements throughout project life.
Evaluation
Tasks focused on evaluating solution performance and outcomes.
Domain weight considerations
Exam preparation should reflect domain emphasis and relative weight.
| Domain | Approx. % weight |
|---|---|
| Needs Assessment | ~18% |
| Planning | ~22% |
| Analysis | ~35% |
| Traceability & Monitoring | ~15% |
| Evaluation | ~10% |
Common domain-related mistakes
Avoid errors in allocating study time or misunderstanding domain scope.
- Focusing study on one domain disproportionately
- Ignoring traceability concepts until late preparation
- Misinterpreting domain task descriptions
Readiness signals and rules
Indicators of domain-level understanding before exam day.
Summary and next steps
Review each domain’s detailed tasks in the official PMI-PBA Examination Content Outline (ECO) before planning study strategy.