Process Groups (When work is performed)

1. Initiating: Starting the project or phase

2. Planning: Establishing project scope and course of action

3. Executing: Performing the work to meet project requirements

4. Monitoring & Controlling: Tracking and regulating progress

5. Closing: Finalizing all activities to complete the project

Knowledge Areas (What work is performed)

1. Project Integration Management

2. Project Scope Management

3. Project Schedule Management

4. Project Cost Management

5. Project Quality Management

6. Project Resource Management

7. Project Communications Management

8. Project Risk Management

9. Project Procurement Management

10. Project Stakeholder Management

Integration Management

Purpose: Coordinates all project management activities

Key Processes:

• Develop Project Charter (Initiating): Formally authorize the project

• Develop Project Management Plan (Planning): Define how project will be executed, monitored, and closed

• Direct and Manage Project Work (Executing): Lead and perform project activities

• Manage Project Knowledge (Executing): Use existing knowledge and create new knowledge

• Monitor and Control Project Work (M&C): Track project performance

• Perform Integrated Change Control (M&C): Review and approve/reject changes

• Close Project or Phase (Closing): Finalize all project activities

Scope Management

Purpose: Ensures project includes all required work and only required work

Key Processes:

• Plan Scope Management (Planning): Define how scope will be managed

• Collect Requirements (Planning): Determine stakeholder needs

• Define Scope (Planning): Develop detailed project scope description

• Create WBS (Planning): Subdivide deliverables into manageable components

• Validate Scope (M&C): Obtain formal acceptance of deliverables

• Control Scope (M&C): Monitor and control changes to scope

Schedule Management

Purpose: Manages timely completion of the project

Key Processes:

• Plan Schedule Management (Planning): Define scheduling approach

• Define Activities (Planning): Identify specific work to be performed

• Sequence Activities (Planning): Identify relationships between activities

• Estimate Activity Durations (Planning): Estimate time needed for activities

• Develop Schedule (Planning): Analyze sequences and durations to create schedule

• Control Schedule (M&C): Monitor and control changes to schedule

Cost Management

Purpose: Ensures project completion within approved budget

Key Processes:

• Plan Cost Management (Planning): Define cost management approach

• Estimate Costs (Planning): Develop cost approximation for resources

• Determine Budget (Planning): Aggregate estimated costs to establish baseline

• Control Costs (M&C): Monitor and control project costs and budget changes

Sequential Relationships

Some processes must be performed in sequence:

• Collect Requirements → Define Scope → Create WBS

• Define Activities → Sequence Activities → Estimate Durations → Develop Schedule

• Estimate Costs → Determine Budget

Iterative Relationships

Many processes are iterative and may be repeated:

• Planning processes are progressively elaborated

• Monitoring and controlling processes occur throughout project

• Risk processes are performed continuously

Integration Points

Integration Management processes coordinate other knowledge areas:

• Project Management Plan integrates all subsidiary plans

• Change Control affects scope, schedule, cost, and other areas

• Project closure requires input from all knowledge areas

Common Tools Across Processes

Expert Judgment: Used in most processes to provide specialized knowledge Meetings: Facilitate communication and decision-making Data Analysis: Various techniques for analyzing project information Decision Making: Structured approaches to making project decisions

Specialized Tools by Knowledge Area

Scope Management:

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• Requirements traceability matrix

• Scope baseline

Schedule Management:

• Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)

• Critical Path Method (CPM)

• Schedule compression techniques

Cost Management:

• Analogous, parametric, and bottom-up estimating

• Earned Value Management (EVM)

• Cost-benefit analysis

Quality Management:

• Quality audits and reviews

• Statistical sampling and control charts

• Cost of quality analysis

Risk Management:

• Risk breakdown structure

• Probability and impact matrix

• Monte Carlo simulation

Consistency and Repeatability

• Standardization: Common approach across projects and teams

• Quality assurance: Reduced variability in project outcomes

• Knowledge management: Easier to capture and transfer lessons learned

• Training and development: Clear framework for skill building

Improved Communication

• Common language: Shared terminology and concepts

• Clear expectations: Defined roles and responsibilities

• Stakeholder alignment: Consistent understanding of project approach

• Documentation: Structured approach to project information

Risk Reduction

• Comprehensive coverage: Addresses all aspects of project management

• Early identification: Proactive identification of issues and risks

• Structured decision-making: Formal processes for important decisions

• Change management: Controlled approach to project changes

Factors Influencing Process Selection

Project Characteristics:

• Size, complexity, and duration

• Industry and application area

• Technology and innovation level

• Geographic distribution

Organizational Factors:

• Organizational culture and maturity

• Governance requirements and policies

• Available resources and tools

• Stakeholder expectations

Tailoring Guidelines

Process Selection: Choose processes appropriate for project needs Process Modification: Adapt processes to fit project context Documentation Level: Adjust formality based on project requirements Tool Selection: Choose tools that support selected processes effectively

Agile and Hybrid Approaches

Modern project management recognizes that processes may be implemented differently:

• Agile projects: Lighter documentation, frequent iterations, adaptive planning

• Traditional projects: Comprehensive planning, formal documentation, predictive approach

• Hybrid projects: Combination of approaches based on project phases or components

Process Measurement

• Performance metrics: Measure process effectiveness and efficiency

• Stakeholder feedback: Gather input on process value and usability

• Lessons learned: Capture insights from project experiences

• Benchmarking: Compare performance against industry standards

Process Evolution

• Regular review: Periodic assessment of process effectiveness

• Updates and revisions: Incorporate new practices and lessons learned

• Training updates: Ensure team members understand process changes

• Tool enhancement: Upgrade tools and techniques to support processes

The PMBOK process framework provides a comprehensive foundation for project management while allowing flexibility for adaptation to specific project and organizational needs. Understanding these processes and their relationships enables project managers to deliver consistent, successful project outcomes.