Project Management

Process groups and the

Project  Lifecycle:
Same or different?

Dr. Jim Marion, PMP, PMI-RMP

 Basic assumptions
 
The five process groups in the Guide to the
Project Management Body of Knowledge, or
PMBOK, are often used interchangeably with
the project management lifecycle.

Monitoring &
Initiating Planning Executing Controlling Closing

 
This is observed in industry, in textbooks, on reference Websites
with often little distinction between the two.
 Basic assumptions
 
Why are they often used interchangeably?
1. Both the project lifecycle as well as the
process groups follow an intuitive, structured
sequence
2. The PMBOK guide description leaves some
ambiguity in interpretation.
 Why should we care?

It’s in the
EMBOK…
 Similar but different…

Should the PMBOK process groups be considered

synonymous with the project lifecycle?

Monitoring &
Initiating Planning Executing Controlling Closing

Let’s see some examples…

 Is this a lifecycle?
Or “process groups”?

Initiating

Planning

Executing

M&C

Closing

http://www.method123.com/project-lifecycle.php
https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/demystifying-5-phases-project-management
https://www.villanovau.com/resources/project-management/5-phases-project-management-lifecycle/#.WeJEUBv7aUl
https://www.villanovau.com/re
sources/project-
management/5-phases-project-
management-
lifecycle/#.WeJEUBv7aUl
This project lifecycle looks
a lot like the PMBOK
Process Groups

http://www.brighthubpm.com/mon
itoring-projects/1907-successfully-
guide-your-projects-to-completion-
with-the-pm-life-cycle/#imgn_0
 Process
ProcessGroups
Groupsand
andthe
theProject
ProjectLifecycle
Lifecycleare
arenot
notthe
thesame
same
thing…..per
thing…..perthe
thePMBOK
PMBOK

Examples from the PMBOK (to follow):

1.Note that the PMBOK does provide examples of generic

lifecycles.
2.The PMBOK illustrates how the process groups are used
“within” lifecycle phases.
3.The PMBOK suggests that process groups could be used
to govern and entire project, BUT,
4.States that “process groups are not project lifecycle
phases”

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
 So,
So,why
whythe
theconfusion?
confusion?

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
EMBOK Mirrors PMBOK

PM PM
BOK
EM EM
 A
APMBOK
PMBOK generic
generic lifecycle
lifecycle

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
4–14
 Process
ProcessGroups
Groupsoperating
operatingwithin
withinaasingle
singlephase
phase

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
4–15
 Process
ProcessGroups
Groupsoperating
operatingwithin
withinmultiple
multiplephases
phases

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Another
Anotherexample
exampleof
ofaageneric
genericexample:
example:PMBOK
PMBOK

4–17
 PMBOK
PMBOKProcess
ProcessGroups
Groupswithin
withinthe
theProject
ProjectLifecycle
Lifecycle

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Interaction
Interactionof
ofPMBOK
PMBOKProcess
ProcessGroups
Groupswithin
withinthe
theProject
ProjectLifecycle
Lifecycle
These activities
seem more
applicable to
lifecycle than
process groups..
PMBOK
5th
Edition
 4.X Manage
Project
Knowledge

6. Project
Schedule
PMBOK
Management
6th
(moved)
Edition

8.2 Manage
Quality

9.1 Plan 9.X Control

9. Project Resource
Resource Management Resources
Management 9.X Estimate
Activity
Resources

10.3 Monitor
Communication
s

11.X 11.6 Monitor

Implement Risks
Risk
Responses

13.2 Plan 13.4 Monitor

Stakeholder Stakeholder
Engagement Engagement
** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
 What
Whatisisthe
thePMBOK
PMBOKSaying?
Saying?

I P E C C I P E C C

I P EC C
I P E C C

FIGURE 1.1

** PMI and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

1–23
 Conclusions

1. Process groups in the PMBOK (and EMBOK) appear to be intended for

carrying out complex work activities—rather than playing the role of project
lifecycle phases.
2. Both the PMBOK (and the EMBOK) include ambiguities in how the two
concepts are presented:
a) Initiation begins with “Develop Project Charter”
b) PMBOK and EMBOK refer to “new project OR phase”
c) Yet, the PMBOK states that “process groups are not lifecycle phases”
 Recommendation

Associate the term

“lifecycle” with
“project
governance”

I P E C C I P E C C

p r ocess I P E C C
I P E C C
e
Whil s operate
p l
grou wer leve
o
at a l