The quality of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) data is determined by the quality of the scanning and the control of cognitive behavior of the individual being scanned. This report describes cognitive task design methodology. It is suggested that mapping the stages of cognitive processing is a technically achievable goal with current technology. The behavioral paradigms in FMRI are categorized into technique development and brain mapping paradigms. Technique development paradigms are used to tune scanning parameters with tasks such as visual mapping, motor responding, and language processing. Brain mapping paradigms generally examine uncharacterized areas of cortex. Three stages of brain mapping are described, including: (1) determining the number, location, and stability of active areas; (2) determining the topology and replication of areas; and (3) determining the exogenous/endogenous differentiation of areas. Issues of condition sequencing of tasks within and between trials, statistical analysis, and practical FMRI running are described.