To manage Projects effectively those should be divided Phases and smallest possible sub phases. This iterative process should go up to the level where further division creates chaos rather than helping the project. In database terminology we call this as "Atomic" level.
Projects can be managed easily by Phased approach. PMBOK defined and explained processes to manage these sub atomic processes. As per PMBOK3rd edition guide there are 44 processes and grouped in to 5 major Process Groups  5 Process groups are
Certain INPUTS are given to the process. Managers use said TOOLS available for that process to produce OUTPUTS. PMBOK guide also defines Knowledge Areas for the Project Managers. Managers will use these skills (Knowledge) to work on given INPUTS using TOOLS to produce OUTPUTS. Those are
Effective Project Management requires knowledge and skills from following 5 areas
PMBOK 4th Edition: Process Chart-
Project documents: PMBOK suggest managers to produce at-least 3 major documents for each project
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Integration Management Knowledge Area (Based on PMBOK 4th Edition For PMP Certification Exam preparation) Project Integration Management includes the processes and activities needed to identify, define, combine, unify, and coordinate the various processes and project management activities within the Project Management Process Groups. This is the only knowledge area which has process in each process group. |
Following table lists 6 Processes of Integration Knowledge Area:
Initiation | Planning | Executing | Monitoring and Controlling | Closing | |
Processes | 4.1. Develop Project Charter | 4.2. Develop Project Management Plan | 4.3 Direct and Manage Project execution | 4.4. Monitor and control Project work 4.5. Perform Integrated Change Control | 4.6. Close Project or Phase |
- A process is a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to achieve a pre-specifi ed product, result, or service. Each process is characterized by its inputs, the tools and techniques that can be applied, and the resulting outputs.
- To successfully deliver project, team needs to consider "Project related Processes" and "Product Related Process". Always remember - Product is the output that project produces and Project is work that needs to be done to produce the Product. PMBOK Guide 4th Edition considers Project related processes only.
- Process 4.1 Develop Project Charter is the process of developing a document that formally authorizes a project or a phase and documenting initial requirements that satisfy the stakeholders’ needs and expectations.
- The approved project charter formally initiates the project
- The project charter provides the the authority to project manager
- The project initiator or sponsor who funds the project either creates the Charter or delegates to Project Manager
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project statement of work 2 Business case 3 Contract 4 Enterprise environmental factors 5 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment | 1 Project charter |
o Organizational process assets (OPA) and Enterprise environmental factors (EEF) are 2 inputs are common inputs accrross for most of the processes in the Process Chart. And they must be taken into account for every process, even if they are not explicitly listed as inputs in the process specification.
o The statement of work (SOW) is a narrative description of products or services to be delivered by the project given by Project Initiator or sponsor or customer. For external projects it will be the part of Bid Documents. SOW consists of 3 parts: Business Need, Product Scope Description, Strategic Plan
o The business case provides the reason to invest in the project
o Output of the process is Project Charter that documents business needs, and outlines high-level requirements, high-level risks, high level description, high-level schedule, high-level budget, identified Project manager and Approval signatures.
Process 4.2 Develop Project Management Plan is the process of documenting the actions necessary to define, prepare, integrate, and coordinate all subsidiary plans. The project management plan defi nes how the project is executed, monitored and controlled, and closed.
It describes How work will be executed to accomplish the project objectives
It describes How work will be executed to accomplish the project objectives
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project charter 2 Outputs from planning processes 3 Enterprise environmental factors 4 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment | 1 Project management plan |
0. Project Management Plan is collection of outputs of other Planning processes. Remember it is an Integration process.
1. Project Management Plan is collection of 2 types of documents
1. Plans
2. Baselines
2. Plans included in the project management plan are :
1. Scope management plan
2. Requirements management plan
3. Schedule management plan
4. Requirements Management Plan
5. Cost management plan
6. Quality management plan
7. Process improvement plan
8. Human resource plan
9. Staffing Management Plan (Suset of Human resource Plan)
10. Communications management plan
11. Risk management plan
12. Procurement management plan
13. Change Managemen Plan
14. Configuration Management Plan
3. included in the project management plan are :
1. Scope Baseline (3 parts in it: Scope Statement, WBS, WBS Dictionary)
2. Schedule Baseline
3. Cost Baseline
4. Above 3 Baselines together are called as Performance Measurement Baseline
Process 4.3 Direct and Manage Project Execution is the process of performing the work defi ned in the project management plan to achieve the project’s objectives.
0. Process ITTOs
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project management plan 2 Approved change requests 3 Enterprise environmental factors 4 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment 2 Project management information system | 1 Deliverables 2 Work performance information 3 Change requests 4 Project management plan updates 5 Project document updates |
1.
Process 4.4 Monitor and Control Project Work is the process of tracking, reviewing, and regulating the progress to meet the performance objectives defi ned in the project management plan
0. Process ITTOs
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project management plan 2 Performance reports 3 Enterprise environmental factors 4 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment | 1 Change requests 2 Project management plan updates 3 Project document updates |
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project management plan 2 Work performance information 3 Change requests 4 Enterprise environmental factors 5 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment 2 Change control meetings | 1 Change request status updates 2 Project management plan updates 3 Project document updates |
1.
Process 4.5 Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests, approving changes and managing changes to the deliverables, organizational process assets, project documents and the project management plan.
0. Process ITTOs
1.
Process 4.6 Close Project or Phase is the process of fi nalizing all activities across all of the Project Management Process Groups to formally complete the project or phase
0. Process ITTOs
Inputs | Tools & Techniques | Outputs |
1 Project management plan 2 Accepted deliverables 3 Organizational process assets | 1 Expert judgment | 1 Final product, service, or result transition 2 Organizational process assets updates |
