Information Technology Project
Management, Sixth Edition
Note: See the text itself for full citations.
Describe the five project management (PM)
process groups, the typical level of activity for
each, and the interactions among them
Understand how the PM process groups relate
to the PM knowledge areas
Discuss how organizations develop information
technology PM methodologies to meet their
needs
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 2
A process is a series of actions directed toward a
particular result
Project management can be viewed as a number
of interlinked processes
The project management process groups include:
Initiating processes
Planning processes
Executing processes
Monitoring and controlling processes
Closing processes
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 3
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 4
You can map the main activities of each PM
process group into the nine knowledge areas
using the PMBOK Guide 2008
Note that there are activities from each knowledge
area under the planning and monitoring and
controlling process groups
Two new processes were added in 2008: identify
stakeholders and collect requirements
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 5
*Source: PMBOK Guide, Fourth Edition, 2008.
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 6
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 7
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 8
Just as projects are unique, so are approaches to
project management
Many organizations develop their own project
management methodologies, especially for IT
projects
A methodology describes how things should be
done; a standard describes what should be done
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 9
It is good practice to lay the groundwork for a project
before it officially starts
Senior managers often perform several pre-initiation
tasks, including the following:
Determine the scope, time, and cost constraints for the project
Identify the project sponsor
Select the project manager
Develop a business case for a project
Meet with the project manager to review the process and expectations
for managing the project
Determine if the project should be divided into two or more smaller
projects
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 10
Initiating a project includes recognizing and starting
a new project or project phase
The main goal is to formally select and start off
projects
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 11
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 12
Charters are normally short and include key project
information and stakeholder signatures
Its good practice to hold a kick-off meeting at the
beginning of a project so that stakeholders can
meet each other, review the goals of the project,
and discuss future plans
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 13
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 14
The main purpose of project planning is to guide
execution
Every knowledge area includes planning
information
Key outputs include:
A team contract
A project scope statement
A work breakdown structure (WBS)
A project schedule, in the form of a Gantt chart with all
dependencies and resources entered
A list of prioritized risks (part of a risk register)
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 15
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 16
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 17
Usually takes the most time and resources to
perform project execution
Project managers must use their leadership skills
to handle the many challenges that occur during
project execution
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 18
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 19
Involves measuring progress toward project
objectives, monitoring deviation from the plan, and
taking correction actions
Affects all other process groups and occurs during
all phases of the project life cycle
Outputs include performance reports, change
requests, and updates to various plans
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 20
Involves gaining stakeholder and customer
acceptance of the final products and services
Even if projects are not completed, they should be
closed out to learn from the past
Outputs include project archives and lessons
learned, part of organizational process assets
Most projects also include a final report and
presentation to the sponsor/senior management
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 21
The five project management process groups are
initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and
controlling, and closing
You can map the main activities of each process
group to the nine knowledge areas
Some organizations develop their own information
technology project management methodologies
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Management, Sixth Edition Copyright 2009 22
