Project Management Process Groups: A Quick Guide

Project Management Process Groups: A Quick Guide

Project managers use the five project management process groups defined in the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) to structure projects and lead them from beginning to end. These phases serve a specific purpose and project managers must control them to ensure that the project stays on track. Project management software helps project managers stay on top of each of these process groups. The PMBOK defines the project initiation phase as "the process of formally recognizing that a new project exists or that an existing project should continue into its next phase." In this phase, project managers discuss the business value of the project, explore the impact on stakeholders, and create a business case that answers those questions. There is also a feasibility study to see if the project makes sense to the organization and its stakeholders.

The project charter outlines the who, what and where of the project, followed by stakeholder analysis, selecting the team, defining roles and responsibilities, selecting the project office, and choosing the right tools, equipment and communication infrastructure. There is also a kickoff meeting to get everyone on the project team on the same page. The planning phase is when stakeholders and the project team learn how to achieve the final deliverable of the project or service. The project manager is responsible for leading the project planning phase and making accurate estimates on time, budget and resources. They also plan the scope, use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to organize tasks, make procurement plans and define communication channels and frequency.