Project Management Framework: Project Management Process Framework

Project Management Process Groups

   * Initiating process group authorises the project
   * Planning process group plans the course of action to achieve objectives
   * Executing process group uses the resources to carry out project tasks
   * Monitoring process group measures progress to identify variances
   * Closing process group formalises product acceptance and closure
   * Concept of PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT cycle
   * Determine what processes within the process groups are applicable
   * The Process Groups are not Project Phases
   * The result of one process becomes input to another


Process Groups Interaction

This diagram depicts how the Process Group interact:

   * The yellow and green light represents the monitoring and controlling processes.
   * The monitoring and controlling process is ongoing and runs parallel to the other process groups throughout the length of the project.


Initiating Process Group

   * Conduct cost-benefit analysis
   * Determine and define the business needs and the project scope
   * Know the project boundaries and constraints
   * Identify high level risks
   * Understand the required project organisation structure
   * Estimate budget and resource requirements
   * Assign a project manager
   * Obtain the project charter approval
   * Formally authorise to start a new project or phase

Planning Process Group

   * Determine how to plan and develop the project management plan
   * Develop the project requirements in detail and agree the final scope
   * Determine the required project activities and their sequencing
   * Develop schedule using estimated resources and costs
   * Agree what quality standards will be met by the project and how
   * Define how project staffing will be done
   * Establish the communication requirements and how it will be fulfilled
   * Identify what can go wrong and the plans to deal with them
   * Document what products or services will be acquired from outside the project
   * Gain formal approval and buy-in from everybody involved in the project

Executing Process Group

   * Execute activities in the project plan
   * Procure required project resources
   * Complete work packages
   * Document lesson learnt
   * Implement approved changes, corrective and preventive actions
   * Ensure processes are followed
   * Hold team building activities and boost morale and effeciency
   * Manage resource allocation and utilization
   * Hold progress review meetings and distribute progress reports
   * Keep everyone focused on the project goals

Monitoring & Control Process Group

   * Measure project performance using the documented technique in the plan
   * Identify variances and recommend corrective actions to get back on track
   * Approve changes, defect repair, corrective and preventive actions
   * Resolve conflicts and issues
   * Manage changes to scope, time and cost
   * Perform impact analysis to approve or reject changes
   * Obtain formal acceptance of deliverables from the customer
   * Monitor the status of risks and identify new risks have emerged
   * Measure team member performance

Closing Process Group

   * Confirm all project requirements are met
   * Obtain formal acceptance of products from the customer
   * Hand over the completed deliverables to the operations team
   * Compile lesson learnt
   * Measure customer satisfaction
   * Archive project data and information for future reference
   * Release resources