Processes and Integration
Quiz
What is the purpose of project management processes?
Project management processes are designed to ensure an effective flow of the project through
its entire life cycle. These processes encompass the tools and techniques used to apply the
skills and capabilities outlined in the Knowledge Areas.
Differentiate between product-oriented processes and project management processes.
Product-oriented processes are focused on specifying and creating the project’s product, and
they are typically defined by the project life cycle. Project management processes, however,
ensure the effective flow of the project, using tools and techniques from the knowledge areas to
manage the project.
List the five project management process groups and describe their main purpose.
The five project management process groups are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and
Controlling, and Closing. The Initiating process group defines a new project or phase; Planning
establishes scope, refines objectives, and defines action; Executing completes work defined in
the project plan; Monitoring and Controlling tracks, reviews, and regulates project progress; and
Closing finalizes all project activities.
Explain the difference between work performance data, information, and reports.
Work performance data refers to raw observations and measurements collected during project
execution. This data is then analyzed in context to become work performance information. Work
performance reports represent this information in a structured format for project documentation
and stakeholders.
How does an organization use a SWOT analysis in strategic planning?
Organizations use a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to
analyze the internal and external factors affecting them. This analysis helps in determining
long-term objectives, predicting future trends, and identifying potential projects that align with
strategic goals.
What are some methods for project selection?
Methods for project selection include focusing on broad organizational needs, categorizing
projects (by problem, opportunity, directive, time, or priority), performing financial analysis
(Payback, NPV, ROI), and using a weighted scoring model.
Describe the purpose of a weighted scoring model in project selection.
A weighted scoring model is a systematic method for selecting projects based on multiple
criteria. It identifies important criteria, assigns weights to these criteria, scores each project
against the criteria, and calculates total weighted scores. The project with the highest score is
favored.
What is Project Integration Management and what are some of its key processes?
Project Integration Management includes the processes and activities to identify, define,
combine, unify, and coordinate various project management processes. Key processes include:
Develop Project Charter, Develop Project Management Plan, Direct and Manage Project Work,
Manage Project Knowledge, Monitor and Control Project Work, Perform Integrated Change
Control, and Close Project or Phase.
What is the purpose of a project charter, and what does it do?
A project charter is a document that formally authorizes the existence of a project and provides
the project manager with the authority to allocate organizational resources. It establishes a
partnership between performing and requesting organizations and formally initiates the project.
Explain the concept of tacit knowledge in the context of Project Knowledge Management.
Tacit knowledge is personal, experiential knowledge that is difficult to articulate or express, often
gained through experience. Unlike explicit knowledge, which can be easily documented, tacit
knowledge resides in the minds of individuals, making it important to capture and share
informally.
Glossary of Key Terms
● Project Management Processes: Processes that ensure the effective flow of a project
through its life cycle, encompassing tools and techniques from the Knowledge Areas.
● Product-Oriented Processes: Processes that specify and create the project’s product,
typically defined by the project life cycle.
● Initiating Process Group: Processes performed to define a new project or phase and
obtain authorization to begin.
● Planning Process Group: Processes required to establish scope, refine objectives, and
define actions needed to achieve project goals.
● Executing Process Group: Processes performed to complete the work outlined in the
project plan and satisfy project specifications.
● Monitoring and Controlling Process Group: Processes to track, review, and regulate
progress and performance, identifying needed changes to the plan.
● Closing Process Group: Processes to finalize all activities across process groups and
formally close the project or phase.
● Work Performance Data: Raw observations and measurements collected during project
execution.
● Work Performance Information: Performance data analyzed in context to provide
project insights.
● Work Performance Reports: Structured representations of work performance
information.
● Knowledge Areas: Areas of project management expertise such as Integration, Scope,
Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communication, Risk, Procurement, and
Stakeholder Management.
● Strategic Planning: Process of defining long-term objectives, predicting future trends,
and planning for needed products and services.
● SWOT Analysis: Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats used
in strategic planning.
● Weighted Scoring Model: A method of project selection which uses a systematic
process to evaluate different projects based on a combination of weighted criteria.
● Project Integration Management: Processes to identify, define, combine, unify, and
coordinate all the project management processes.
● Project Charter: A document formally authorizing the existence of a project and
providing the project manager with the authority to apply resources.
● Project Management Plan: A comprehensive document defining the basis of all project
work.
● Corrective Action: Activity that realigns project work with the project management plan.
● Preventive Action: Activity ensuring the future project work aligns with the project
management plan.
● Defect Repair: Activity to modify a nonconforming product or product component.
● Project Knowledge Management: Process of using existing and creating new
knowledge to achieve project objectives and organizational learning.
● Explicit Knowledge: Knowledge that can be readily codified and documented.
● Tacit Knowledge: Knowledge that is personal, experience-based, and difficult to
articulate.
● Perform Integrated Change Control: The process of reviewing all change requests
from project inception to completion.
