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Lesson 1: Introduction and Fundamental Project Managment Concepts

Project Management Processes

PMBOK® breaks project management into knowledge areas, but it also breaks it down by high-level processes: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Table 1.2 illustrates the relationship between the project management processes, knowledge areas, and the 49 project management processes and the approximate breakdown of PMP® exam questions by process groups. Each of the 49 processes are labeled according to the numbering scheme used in the PMBOK® and will be referenced throughout the course.

It is important to note that the project life cycle is not the same as the project management life cycle, although they both can include the same phases: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The project life cycle may not include all phases, depending on the size of the project. For very large projects with multiple intermediate phases, you can repeat the project management life cycle within each phase. The project management processes presented throughout the course lessons are used by project managers in the formal project management process, designed to assure adequate management of the most complex, extensive programs. Often, you can expect to manage smaller projects with the same key elements, but with less formality and less comprehensive detail.

Table 1.2 has the PMP® exam breakdown by project management processes and knowledge areas. Percentages indicate the percentage of exam questions in each process or knowledge domain. Topic numbers indicate the corresponding chapter section within the PMBOK® Guide.

Table 1.2. PMP® Exam Breakdown by Knowledge Areas and Project Management Processes
Knowledge Areas Initiating Process Group
13%
Planning Process Group
24%
Executing Process Group
30%
Monitoring and Controlling Process Group
25%
Closing Process Group
8%
3. Project Management Process 15%
(15% of questions on processes specifically)
4. Project Integration Management 12% 4.1 Develop Project Charter 4.2 Develop Project Management Plan 4.3 Direct and Manage Project Work

4.4 Manage Project Knowledge
4.5 Monitor and Control Project Work

4.6 Perform Integrated Change Control
4.7 Close Project or Phase
5. Project Scope Management 11%   5.1 Plan Scope Management

5.2 Collect Requirements

5.3 Define Scope

5.4 Create WBS
  5.5 Validate Scope

5.6 Control Scope
 
6. Project Schedule Management 12%   6.1 Plan Schedule Management

6.2 Define Activities

6.3 Sequence Activities

6.4 Estimate Activity Durations

6.5 Develop Schedule
  6.6 Control Schedule  
7. Project Cost Management 7%   7.1 Plan Cost Management

7.2 Estimate Costs

7.3 Determine Budget
  7.4 Control Costs  
8. Project Quality Management 6%   8.1 Plan Quality Management 8.2 Manage Quality 8.3 Control Quality  
9. Project Resource Management 8%   9.1 Plan Resource Management

9.2 Estimate Activity Resources
9.3 Acquire Resources

9.4 Develop Team

9.5 Manage Team
9.6 Control Resources  
10. Project Communications Management 6%   10.1 Plan Communications Management 10.2 Manage Communications 10.3 Control Communications  
11. Project Risk Management 9%   11.1 Plan Risk Management

11.2 Identify Risks

11.3 Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis

11.4 Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis

11.5 Plan Risk Responses
11.6 Implement Risk Responses 11.7 Monitor Risks  
12. Project Procurement Management   12.1 Plan Procurement Management 12.2 Conduct Procurements 12.4 Control Procurements  
13. Project Stakeholder Management 13.1 Identify Stakeholders 13.2 Plan Stakeholder Engagement 13.3 Manage Stakeholder Engagement 13.4 Monitor Stakeholder Engagement  
Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) — Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Table 1–4, Page 25.

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