Project Management Processes

Process:

A process is a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to achieve a pre-specified product, result or service. Each process is characterized by its inputs, the tools and techniques and the outputs.

In order for a project to be successful, the project team must:

Ø  Select appropriate processes required to meet the project objectives,

Ø  Use a defined approach that can be adopted to meet the requirements,

Ø  Comply with requirements to meet stakeholders needs and expectations,

Ø  Balancing the competing demands of scope, time, cost, quality, resources, and risk to produce   the specified product, service, or result.

Project processes are performed by the project team and generally fall into one of two major categories:

Ø  Project Management Processes:

Project management processes ensure the effective flow of the project throughout its existence. These process encompass the tools and techniques involved in applying the skills and capabilities

Ø  Product oriented Processes:

Product oriented processes are typically defined by the project life cycle. The scope of the project cannot be defined without some basic understanding of how to create the specified product.

Project management processes and product oriented processes overlap and interact throughout the life of the project.

Project management processes apply globally and across industry groups.

Project management processes are grouped into five categories known as project management process groups.

Ø  Initiating Process Group:

Those processes performed to define a new project or new phase of an existing project by obtaining the authorization to start the project or phase.

Ø  Planning Process Group:

Those processes required to establish the scope of the project, refine the objectives, and define the course of action required to attain the objectives that the project was undertaken to achieve. 

Ø  Executing Process Group:

Those processes performed to complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy the project specifications.

Ø  Monitoring and Controlling Process Group:

Those processes required to track, review, and regulate the progress and performance of the project; identify any areas in which changes to the plan are required; and initiate the corresponding changes.

Ø  Closing Process Group:

Those processes performed to finalize all activities across all Process groups to formally close the project or phase.