HKSM

Informed opinions and advice from people or groups with specialized knowledge, skills, training, or experience in a relevant domain, applied to guide a specific project activity or decision.

Key Points

• Draws on specialized expertise from individuals, teams, consultants, PMO, or external SMEs.
• Used across many processes, such as chartering, estimating, risk analysis, quality, and procurement.
• Best gathered and documented through structured techniques (interviews, workshops, Delphi) to improve reliability.
• Assess credibility and potential bias, and combine with data or historical records when available.

Example

A project manager planning a pharmaceutical validation effort convenes senior quality engineers and a regulatory affairs specialist to define acceptance criteria and identify major compliance risks. Their recommendations shape the scope and approach.

PMP Example Question

While developing the project charter for a cloud migration, the project manager consults enterprise architects and the cybersecurity officer to assess feasibility and outline high-level risks. Which tool or technique is being used?

1. Expert judgment
2. Parametric estimating
3. Checklists
4. Control charts

Correct Answer: A — Expert judgment

Explanation: The PM is seeking guidance from specialists with relevant knowledge and experience; this is expert judgment, not a quantitative estimating or control tool.