Project Management Process

Project Management Process

Many of my blogs focus on individual project management tools. I thought that I’d compliment those with an overall project management process. Here is the image that I use:

Project Management Process

A higher resolution of this image is available to download here.

PMI BoK Planning Processes

The Body of Knowledge (BoK) as supplied by the Project Management Institute (PMI) follows a process approach to project management.

There are 5 main process groups

1. Initiating a project
2. Planning a project
3. Executing a project
4. Monitoring and Controlling a project
5. Closing a project

Each of these is then split into sub-processes. These mention the tools, documents and inputs/outputs for each sub-process.

The process groups are supported by 10 knowledge areas:

1. Project Integration Management
2. Scope Management
3. Project Schedule Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Quality Management
6. Project Resource Management
7. Project Communication Management
8. Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholder Management

These knowledge areas may be applied in any of the process groups as appropriate. I have recently been delivering training on these knowledge areas for the Institute of Project Management in Dublin.

Academic Theory or Practical Application?

I have a background as an engineer working on projects. Then I was a trainer – delivering project management tools that can be used immediately to help a project. I therefore think that the PMI Process approach is a bit dry and academic.

The Project Management Process map is used to deliver knowledge of tools. The process map is the basis for all of my project management training. I also use it for Microsoft Project training!

Project Management Tools

One of my earliest blogs was about the 14 tools of project management. There are of course many more tools. However I do find that people often start (and end!) with Gantt charts as Project Management tools! (I even have a blog on How not to use a Gantt Chart!)

Here are the steps in my project management process:

1. The Iron Triangle of Project Management
2. Projects start off Senior Managers – Company Strategy – Business Benefits Senior Managers may dictate the contract strategy, organisation, project team
3. Stakeholders – Their Management and Engagement.
4. Financial considerations Payback, ROI, IRR, and NPV
5. Clear Objectives – SMART – Charters/Specifications
6. T, Q, and C Agreement signed off in a Project Charter
7. Work Breakdown Structures
8. Organisation Breakdown Structure (Communication)
9. Responsibility Matrix
10. Cost Account
11. Dependency Chart
12. Durations – Network Analysis
13. Gantt Chart
14. Resource Analysis
15. Risk Management
16. Baseline
17. Monitoring and Control
18. Project Reviews and Project Closure

Of course, all of these are interlinked within any project. Projects are complex dynamic systems. However tackling them one at a time can help create a plan that takes everything into account.

Summary

A higher resolution image is available to download here.

I believe that there are two main types of Project Management Training. Training in the tools, and training in approaches and methodologies such as the PMI process.