German Jordanian University

School of Management and Logistic Sciences

Management Sciences Department

Course:
Project Management MGT328

Chapter 2: What is Project Management?

Lecturer:
Omar M. Bwaliez
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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

In This Chapter:
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 What is Project Management?
2.3 Project Management Organizations.
2.4 Project Management Process Groups.
2.4.1 Initiating Process Group.
2.4.2 Planning Process Group.
2.4.3 Executing Process Group.
2.4.4 Monitoring and Controlling Process Group.
2.4.5 Closing Process Group.
2.4.6 Project Management Process Group Interactions.
2.5 Project Management Knowledge Areas.
2.6 Project Management Process Groups and Knowledge Areas Mapping.
2.7 End-of-Chapter Quiz.

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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

2.1 Introduction:
Implementing projects is not an easy process. It needs the skills, tools, and
techniques of multiple professions and organizations.
So, What is the best way to implement a project? The challenge is to manage the
required project inputs in order to achieve the project outputs. Project management is
one way to overcome that challenge.
The application of project management facilitates:
(1) Completion of project on time or earlier. [Time]
(2) Not exceeding the budget and other resources. [Cost]
(3) Meeting the specifications to the satisfaction of the customer. [Customer
satisfaction]

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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

2.2 What is Project Management?

Definition of Project Management:
Project Management [] is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and
techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.

The following figure illustrates some of

the most important tools used in project
management.

Managing a project typically includes:

1. Identifying requirements.
2. Addressing the various needs, concerns, and expectations of the stakeholders
as the project is planned and carried out.
3. Balancing the competing project constraints.

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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

2.3 Project Management Organizations:

The complexity of the problems faced by the project manager results in a rapid
growth in the number of project-oriented organizations that has contributed to the
professionalization of project management and codified the areas of knowledge
required for competent project management.
The following are some of the major international project
management organizations:
1. The Project Management Institute (PMI). It was established in the United
States of America in 1969. Its mission is to foster the growth of project management
as well as building professionalism in the field through its many worldwide chapters,
its meetings and seminars around the globe, and its journals, books, and other
publications. The PMI has its project management body of knowledge (PMBOK).
2. The Association for Project Management (APM). It headquartered in the
United Kingdom, which started in the early 1970s and serves all of Europe. The
APM has its APM body of knowledge (APM BOK).
3. The International Project Management Association (IPMA). It headquartered
in Switzerland, which began in 1965 and serves a global constituency.
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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

2.4 Project Management Process Groups:

Project management is accomplished through the appropriate application and
integration of five processes called project management process groups or simply
project management processes. They are:
 Initiating (Start).
 Planning (Plan).
 Executing (Do).
 Monitoring and Controlling (Check and act)
 Closing (End).

A process group contains a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to

achieve a pre-specified product, service, or result. It is worth mentioning that all five
process groups are addressed in each project. Each process group is characterized by
its inputs, the tools and techniques that can be applied, and the resulting outputs. The
output of one process group generally becomes an input to another process group or
is a deliverable of the project.

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 Ch.2: What is Project Management?

2.4 Project Management Process Groups: cont.

Notes:
 The project management process groups do not occur sequentially; they are overlapping
activities that occur throughout the project.
 The application of the project management process groups is “iterative”, and many processes are
repeated during the project.
 Project management process groups are not project life cycle phases. The project phase
describes what you need to do to complete the work, while the project management process group
describes what you need to do to manage the project.

 The following chart can be used to learn the project management

process groups quickly and effectively. It helps you understand what
should be done when.

 The following subsections identify and describe the five project

management process groups.

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Project Management Process Groups Chart
INITIATING PLANNING
Select project(s). Finalize requirements.
Create project scope
Select project manager.
statement.
Determine company culture Determine what to
and existing systems. purchase.
Collect processes,
procedures, and historical Determine team.
information.
Understand the project’s
Create WBS.
business case.
Uncover initial
Create activity list.
requirements and risks.
Create measurable
Create network diagram.
objectives.
Estimate resources, time,
Develop project charter.
and cost.
Develop stakeholder Determine all roles and
management strategy. responsibilities.
Develop final PM plan and
performance measurement
baseline that are realistic.
Gain formal approval of
the plan and hold kickoff
meeting.
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Ch.2: What is Project Management?
MONITORING &
EXECUTING CLOSING
CONTROLLING
Measure performance
Execute the work according Confirm work is done to
against the performance
to the PM plan. requirements.
measurement baseline.
Determine variances and if
Complete procurement
Request changes. they warrant a change
closure.
request.
Perform integrated change Gain formal acceptance of
Perform quality assurance.
control. the product.
Complete final performance
Acquire final team. Approve or reject changes.
reporting.
Inform stakeholders of
Manage people. Index and archive records.
approved changes.
Send and receive Update lessons learned
Create forecasts.
information. knowledge base.
Perform earned value
Hold meetings. Hand of completed product.
analysis.
Perform quality control. Release resources.
Report on project
performance.
Perform risk audits.
Administer procurements.