Project Management Process

According to the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver projects successfully. The project manager is the individual responsible for maintaining this expertise and ensuring that the projects are delivered successfully.

The PMBOK also allows that the term project management is sometimes used to describe an organizational approach to the management of ongoing operations. This approach, more properly called management by projects, treats many aspects of ongoing operations as projects in order to apply project management techniques to them.

Project management provides the framework to consistently deliver projects within the agreed upon triple constraint - scope, schedule, and cost. This includes management of the following:

Integration
Scope
Time
Cost
Quality
Human Resources
Communications
Risk
Procurement

Project Management is broken down into five process groups that may be executed multiple times throughout the life of the project

Initiating - Determine whether the concept is a viable project.
Planning - Define the project objectives and the plan to meet those objectives.
Executing - Perform the activities according to the project plan.
Monitoring & Controlling - Monitor the progress of the project and make necessary adjustments.
Closing - Resolve major issues and file documentation in the appropriate location.

Questions should be directed to David Stropes, (816) 926-1479, of the Architecture & Management Center, Program Management Office, Project Management Group.