Project management is the process of using knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to deliver value to people.
It is made up of 5 phases which are Project Initiation, Project Planning, Project Execution, Project Monitoring and controlling, and Project Closing.
These phases are performed based on the inputs, outputs, tools and techniques which are defined in the 10 project Management knowledge areas.
These 10 Project Management Knowledge Areas are:
1. Project Integration Management: this is used to merge the different components in the project into a unified whole. This knowledge area has seven processes which are:
- Develop Project Charter
- Develop Project Management Plan
- Direct and Manage Project Work
- Manage Project Knowledge
- Monitor and Control Project Work
- Perform Integrated Change Control
- Close Project or Phase
2. Project Scope Management: this knowledge area is used to understand the business need and use that information to define the project scope. It has six processes, which are:
- Plan Scope Management
- Collect Requirements
- Define Scope
- Create WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
- Validate Scope
- Control Scope
3. Project Time Management: this knowledge area is used to ensure that the project remains on schedule. This knowledge area has six processes which are:
- Plan Schedule Management
- Define Activities
- Sequence Activities
- Estimate Activity Duration
- Develop Schedule
- Control Schedule
4. Project Cost Management: this knowledge area is used to prepare the project budget and manage it to ensure that it stays on track. If it is not on track, then the project manager would take the steps necessary to get it back on track. The processes included in this knowledge area are:
- Plan Cost Management
- Estimate Costs
- Determine Budget
- Control Costs
5. Project Quality Management: this knowledge area is used to ensure that you deliver the best project quality. This knowledge area includes three processes, which are:
- Plan Quality Management
- Manage Quality
- Control Quality
6. Project Resource Management: this knowledge area is used to identify, manage and organize the project resources. It includes six processes, which are:
- Plan Resource Management
- Estimate Activity Resources
- Acquire Resources
- Develop Team
- Manage Team
- Control resources
7. Project Communication Management: this knowledge area is used to create and manage the project’s communication. It includes three processes, which are:
- Project Communication Management
- Manage Communications
- Monitor Communications
8. Project Risk Management: this knowledge area is used to identify and manage the project’s risks. It has seven processes, which are:
- Plan Risk Management
- Identify Risks
- Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
- Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis
- Plan Risk Responses
- Implement Risk Responses
- Monitor Risks
9. Project Procurement Management: this knowledge area is used to acquire the goods and services which are needed to complete the project. This knowledge area has three processes, which are:
- Plan Procurement Management
- Conduct Procurements
- Control Procurements
10. Project Stakeholder Management: This knowledge area is used to identify and manage the project stakeholders. It has four processes, which are:
- Identifying Stakeholders
- Plan Stakeholder Management
- Manage Stakeholder Management
- Monitor Stakeholder Engagement