How the PMBOK® got its name is largely related to how it categorizes key aspects of a project, which are termed as "knowledge areas." There are 10 project management knowledge areas covered by the PMBOK Guide. The PMBOK Guide identifies 47 processes of project management that are instrumental to project success.
The PMBOK Guide defines a process as "a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to achieve a specified set of products, results, or services." which is simply a way of transforming an input into an output using proven tools and techniques that can help drive progress from start to finish. Processes serves as a roadmap for keeping the project going in the right direction. Good processes are based on sound principles and proven practices that is extremely important for ensuring a project's success. These processes can help minimize confusion and uncertainty among the project manager and the project stakeholders.
Every project needs the 5 Process Groups - Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing. Process Groups bundle together processes that often operate around the same time on a project or with similar input and outputs. Once you've got comfortable with them they are actually a very logical way of grouping together the things you have to do.
The overarching piece of our matrix are the Knowledge Areas. Each Knowledge Area is made up of a set of processes, each with inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs. These processes, together, accomplish proven project management functions and drive project success. Thus, the Knowledge Areas as shown in Figure 2, are formed by grouping the 47 processes of project management into specialized and focused areas. Knowledge Areas also assume specific skills and experience in order to accomplish project goals.
The Matrix shows the Knowledge Areas down the side, the Process Groups along the top and then maps the difference processes in the relevant boxes where those two axes cross. For example, at the junction of Project Integration Management and the Initiating Process Group you have the process to 'Develop Project Charter'. This table explains the project management process groups and knowledge areas mapping.
Knowledge Areas | Project Management Process Groups | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initiating | Planning | Executing | Monitoring and Controlling | Closing | |
Integration | 4.1 Develop Project Charter | 4.2 Develop Project Management Plan | 4.3 Direct and Manage Project Work |
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4.6 Close Project or Phase |
Scope |
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Activity Cost Estimate | Deliverables Status | Change Log | |
Time |
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6.7 Control Schedule | |||
Cost |
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7.4 Control Cost | |||
Quality | 8.1 Plan Quality Management | 8.2 Perform Quality Assurance | 8.3 Control Quality | ||
Human Resources | 9.1 Plan Human Resource Management |
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Communication | 10.1 Plan Communication Management | 10.2 Manage Communication | 10.3 Control Communication | ||
Risk |
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11.6 Control Risks | |||
Procurement | 12.1 Plan Procurement Management | 12.2 Conduct Procurement | 12.3 Control Procurement | 12.4 Close Procurement | |
Stakeholder | 13.1 Identify Stakeholders | 13.2 Plan Stakeholder Management | 13.3 Manage Stakeholder Engagement | 13.4 Control Stakeholder Engagement | |
Processes | 2 | 24 | 8 | 11 | 2 |