What Is Procedural Knowledge? Procedural knowledge means being able to perform tasks and use skills effectively in real-life situations. Simply put, it is about "knowing how" to do something, not just knowing facts. When people ask, "What is procedural knowledge?", the answer is found in the steps and actions taken to complete a process, solve a problem, or do a task the right way. In cognitive science, procedural knowledge is closely linked to developing skills and building long-term memory.