Home > Knowledge Center > MAPS Competency Framework
Chart Your Path in Medical Affairs
Medical Affairs operates at the crossroads of clinical development, commercialization, and scientific exchange, and its strategic influence is growing in Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and MedTech industries.
To support this expanding role, the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS) has developed a comprehensive Competency Framework. This framework comprises 42 Competencies organized into 7 essential Domains that collectively define excellence in Medical Affairs today.
- Serves as the foundation for all MAPS educational resources, events, and training programs.
- Was developed through a multi-year collaboration involving hundreds of industry leaders.
- Establishes a common standard of knowledge for professionals entering the field, provides a structured path for mid-career growth, and helps cultivate the next generation of Medical Affairs leaders.
- Advances a unified vision for the future of the Medical Affairs profession.
- Supports the MAPS Foundations in Medical Affairs Certificate Program, a self-paced learning journey created in collaboration with over 60 industry experts from organizations worldwide.
Overview of Each Domain
Below, you’ll find a more detailed look at each of the seven Domains, along with the six competencies associated with them. Together, these 42 Competencies represent the comprehensive skills Medical Affairs professionals need to navigate today’s complex healthcare landscape—from shaping evidence-generation strategies and engaging key opinion leaders to leading organizational change and ensuring compliance across global markets.
Whether you are laying a foundation early in your career or refining your expertise as a senior leader, the framework offers a clear and actionable roadmap for professional growth and organizational impact.
View the Competency Framework
The 7 Essential Domains
Strategy Domain
The Strategy Domain is crucial for articulating the vision, value, and impact of Medical Affairs. This area of expertise reinforces essential capabilities, including the development of robust medical strategic and launch plans, the identification of actionable insights, and the execution of initiatives with operational excellence. By mastering these skills, you’ll be equipped to drive impactful and transformative results in the industry.
Tony Page
Strategy Domain Lead
Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain
The Scientific and Technical Knowledge Domain provides essential insights into drug development, clinical trial design, and the key statistical and epidemiological concepts relevant to both pre-approval and post-approval phases. It highlights the strategic role of the Target Product Profile (TPP) and underscores the importance of regulatory agencies in ensuring drug safety and quality. By developing these competencies, you will be better prepared to analyze data effectively, interpret scientific literature, and support the safe and informed use of pharmaceuticals.
Diana Morgenstern
Scientific and Technical Knowledge Domain Lead
Business Knowledge Domain
The Business Knowledge Domain focuses on understanding the financial and strategic frameworks that drive the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Professionals will learn to analyze key financial goals, evaluate healthcare systems, and understand reimbursement landscapes. By developing these skills, you will build a solid foundation in business principles, allowing you to navigate complex market dynamics with confidence and strategic insight.
Michael Kahn
Business Knowledge Domain Lead
Evidence Generation Domain
The Evidence Generation Domain is vital for ensuring that actions, decisions, and policies are based on credible evidence, leading to effective, efficient, and equitable healthcare outcomes. Key competencies include integrated evidence planning, identifying data gaps, and utilizing real-world evidence alongside Health Economics and Outcomes Research. Prioritizing innovative evidence generation techniques and health equity is essential for advancing accessible healthcare for all.
Cerise James
Evidence Generation Domain Lead
Customer Engagement & Scientific Communication Domain
The Customer Engagement and Scientific Communication Domain is essential for developing effective communication strategies, including scientific publications, medical education, digital engagement, and interactions with external stakeholders. By promoting meaningful scientific exchanges with healthcare professionals, key opinion leaders, and patients, Medical Affairs professionals ensure that accurate, evidence-based information reaches the appropriate audiences. By mastering these skills, you will help improve patient outcomes through informed decision-making and enhanced scientific dialogue.
Evelyn DeSantis
Customer Engagement and Scientific Communication Domain Lead
Leadership & Management Domain
The Leadership and Management Domain plays a vital role in impacting healthcare. It focuses on mastering diverse leadership models and effective communication within matrix teams, collaborating with key stakeholders like healthcare professionals, caregivers, and advocacy groups. By nurturing talent, creating succession plans, and navigating challenges with agility, Medical Affairs professionals can significantly drive healthcare advancement and achieve meaningful results.
Fran Paradiso-Hardy
Leadership and Management Domain Lead
Medical Governance & Compliance Domain
The Medical Governance and Compliance Domain is pivotal for effectively interpreting and applying regulations and industry codes of practice. These competencies encompass ethical considerations, risk mitigation strategies, and robust control frameworks. By prioritizing these elements, we strengthen our partnerships with healthcare professionals, patients, and other stakeholders to actively pursue innovative, patient-centered business opportunities in a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.
Jon Dixon
Medical Governance and Compliance Domain Lead
Professional Development Committee
Now that you have a solid understanding of the MAPS Medical Affairs Competency Framework, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of our Knowledge Center, your ultimate digital resource for elevating your career in Medical Affairs.
Ann Hartry
Professional Development Committee
Charlotte Kremer
Professional Development Committee
Advance Your Professional Journey
Now that you have a solid understanding of the MAPS Medical Affairs Competency Framework, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of our Knowledge Center, your ultimate digital resource for elevating your career in Medical Affairs.
With resources thoughtfully organized by Domain, you’ll find everything you need to enhance your skills and expertise, all in alignment with our Competency Framework. Resources include:
- Valuable Standards & Guidance Documents and Templates
- Insightful Position Papers
- Evidence-Based White Papers
- Comprehensive Benchmark Reports
- Engaging Webinars
- Elevate and Innovate series of podcasts and articles
Explore Our Latest Resources
- Strategy, Competency, Insights, Webinars, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 30, 2026
Beyond What They Say: A Behavioral Approach to HCP Insights
What HCPs say and think are rarely the same. Learn how behavioral techniques help field medical teams...
- Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, Medical Information, Podcasts
September 29, 2026
Measuring To Improve: Medical Information
Uncover data from 10,000+ HCPs on how top 10 pharma companies leverage Medical Information to build strong...
- Competency, External Scientific Engagement, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 25, 2026
Beyond the Prescriber: Identifying the Right Experts in Fragmented Disease Ecosystems
Navigating complex, emerging disease ecosystems and unclear specialist ownership in Medical Affairs....
- Medical Education of External Stakeholders, Competency, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 23, 2026
Navigating the Medical Education Standards and Guidance
Master MAPS standards for external medical education. Learn strategy, compliance, program design, and real-world execution....
- Competency, Digital Trends & Opportunities, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 18, 2026
Closing the Confidence-to-Action Gap: A Practical Path for AI in Medical Affairs
Explore AI adoption in Medical Affairs, the gap between confidence and action, and how workflow-integrated AI can...
- Payment & Transfer of Value, Competency, Webinars, SEARCH BY TYPE, Medical Governance & Compliance
September 16, 2026
Granting for Good: Sanofi’s Rare Humanitarian Program
Explore operational innovations and human-centered design accelerating approvals, expanding access, and maintaining global compliance worldwide....
- Strategy, Launch Excellence, Competency, Webinars, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 15, 2026
2026 Medical Affairs Benchmark
Download the 2026 Maps Benchmark Report to compare mapping platforms, explore performance metrics, and discover key trends...
- External Scientific Engagement, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, Innovate Articles, Partner Circle Publications
September 3, 2026
Advancing External Engagement Excellence in Medical Affairs
External engagement success will not be ‘those with the most activity’, but those most capable of translating...
- Competency, Privacy, Elevate Articles, Medical Governance & Compliance
September 1, 2026
An AI Audit Framework for Medical Affairs Professionals
As AI adoption accelerates across Medical Affairs, regulatory scrutiny is growing. Discover what responsible and auditable AI...
- Strategy, Value & Impact, Podcasts
September 1, 2026
From Incremental Change to Lasting Impact: Bridging Today’s Metrics to Tomorrow’s Medical Affairs ROI
This podcast explores how wrong metrics distort Medical Affairs' value and shift focus from what matters most....
Discover the Knowledge Center Today
The resources within the Knowledge Center are carefully organized by Domain, Competency, and type, making it easy for you to find content that aligns with your Professional Development needs.
