Overview
This lecture explains the flow and core concepts of the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, focusing on how project management processes are interconnected rather than strictly sequential.
PMBOK 6th Edition Structure
- PMBOK is split into two parts: concepts/knowledge areas and project management standards (process flow).
- The guide covers 10 knowledge areas and aligns them with project phases: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing.
- Integration is the central theme across all stages, ensuring processes work together.
Initiating Processes
- Projects start with the development of a project charter (“birth certificate” of the project).
- Identify stakeholders (anyone affected or interested in the project).
- Initiation involves both charter creation and stakeholder identification, often done together.
Planning Processes
- Planning begins with integration: develop the project management plan to connect all knowledge areas.
- Plan scope, schedule, and cost management define rules for what, when, and how spending occurs.
- Collect requirements, define scope (scope statement), and create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
- Define activities, estimate durations, and develop the schedule (e.g., Gantt chart).
- Estimate costs, develop the budget (S-curve).
- Plan quality, resource, communication, risk, procurement, and stakeholder engagement.
- Many processes are “twins”—work together, e.g., resources/time, communication/stakeholders.
Execution Processes
- Direct and manage project work and capture lessons learned (manage project knowledge).
- Manage quality, acquire and develop/manage team resources, and handle communications.
- Implement risk responses and conduct procurements.
- Manage stakeholder engagement throughout execution.
Monitoring and Controlling Processes
- Monitor and control project work; manage integrated change control for all knowledge areas.
- Validate and control scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource, communications, risk, procurements, stakeholder engagement.
- Processes are iterative: changes require revisiting and updating earlier plans.
Closing Process
- Finalize all activities in the process called “close project or phase.”
- Previously separate closing procurement is now integrated into project closure.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Project Charter — Document recognizing formal existence of a project.
- Stakeholder — Anyone with interest (positive or negative) in the project.
- Integration — Ensures coordination across all knowledge areas.
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) — Hierarchical decomposition of project scope into manageable sections.
- Risk Tolerance — Degree of risk stakeholders are willing to accept.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Download project management process flow worksheets from the recommended website.
- Practice mapping out processes using the downloaded materials.
- Review sections of the PMBOK Guide as needed for deeper understanding of specific processes.