COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the course on Project Management Process Groups. This course is designed to provide project managers and aspiring professionals with a solid understanding of the five key process groups that form the foundation of effective project management. By mastering these process groups, you will be well-equipped to manage projects successfully, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

We begin with an introduction to project management process groups, providing an overview of these groups and their importance in project management. The process groups are aligned with the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide, ensuring you learn industry-standard practices that are widely recognised and implemented.

Initiating Process Group

The Initiating Process Group sets the stage for the project. This phase involves developing the project charter, which is crucial for defining the project's purpose and securing initial approval. We will explore the key components of the project charter and the approval process. Identifying stakeholders is another critical task in this phase. We will discuss stakeholder analysis techniques, creating a stakeholder register, and managing stakeholder expectations. Additionally, we will cover setting initial project goals, conducting feasibility studies, developing the business case, and selecting the project using various methods. The management activities across process groups, including integration with planning and stakeholder engagement, will also be discussed.

Planning Process Group

Planning is vital for project success. In this process group, we will delve into developing the project management plan, including its components, approval, baselining, and updates. Defining project scope through requirements collection, creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and drafting the scope statement will be covered. We will also focus on planning resources and budgets, including resource planning techniques, budget estimation methods, and establishing the cost baseline. Risk management planning is another critical area, covering risk identification, analysis, and response planning. Quality management planning will include setting quality standards, assurance techniques, and control plans. Integration with executing, risk management strategies, and resource allocation will be discussed to ensure cohesive planning.

Executing Process Group

The Executing Process Group involves directing and managing project work according to the project plan. We will explore how to coordinate activities, manage deliverables, and implement the project plan. Managing the project team and resources is crucial, including team-building techniques, resource allocation, and performance management. Implementing quality assurance through audits, process improvements, and compliance checks ensures project standards are met. Managing stakeholder engagement involves effective communication strategies, feedback mechanisms, and conflict resolution. Conducting procurements, including planning, vendor selection, and contract management, will also be covered. We will discuss integration with monitoring, change management, and quality assurance activities.

Monitoring and Controlling Process Group

This process group focuses on tracking project performance and ensuring everything is on track. We will cover performance metrics, Earned Value Management (EVM), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress. Integrated change control processes, including handling change requests, impact analysis, and approvals, will be discussed. Managing risks and issues involves monitoring techniques, resolution strategies, and mitigation plans. Quality control activities, such as inspections, testing, control charts, and defect management, are essential for maintaining standards. Communication management includes status reporting, managing communication channels, and information distribution. Integration with executing, risk management updates, and performance reporting will also be covered.

Closing Process Group

The Closing Process Group wraps up the project. We will explore finalising project deliverables, ensuring deliverable verification, client acceptance, and handover processes. Closing project phases involves meeting phase completion criteria, administrative closure, and documentation requirements. Closing procurements covers contract closure, procurement audits, and final payments. Documenting lessons learned involves creating a lessons learned repository, conducting post-project reviews, and ensuring knowledge transfer. Releasing project resources includes deallocating resources, releasing the team, and preparing final resource reports. Management across process groups, including integration with initiating, final stakeholder engagement, and documenting lessons learned, will be discussed to ensure a smooth project closure.

By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of the project management process groups and be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage projects effectively, from initiation to closure.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Project Management Process Groups

• Overview of Process Groups
• Importance in Project Management
• Alignment with PMBOK Guide

2. Initiating Process Group

• Developing Project Charter
• Purpose and Importance
• Key Components
• Approval Process
• Identifying Stakeholders
• Stakeholder Analysis Techniques
• Stakeholder Register
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations
• Setting Initial Project Goals
• Defining Project Objectives
• Alignment with Organisational Strategy
• Documenting Project Goals
• Feasibility Study and Business Case
• Conducting Feasibility Studies
• Developing Business Case
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Project Selection Methods
• Comparative Approaches
• Financial Criteria
• Strategic Alignment
• Management Across Process Groups
• Integration with Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication Strategies

3. Planning Process Group

• Developing Project Management Plan
• Components of the Plan
• Approval and Baseline
• Updating the Plan
• Defining Project Scope
• Collecting Requirements
• Creating Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Scope Statement
• Planning Resources and Budget
• Resource Planning Techniques
• Budget Estimation Methods
• Cost Baseline
• Risk Management Planning
• Identifying Risks
• Performing Risk Analysis
• Risk Response Planning
• Quality Management Planning
• Quality Standards and Metrics
• Quality Assurance Techniques
• Quality Control Plans
• Management Across Process Groups
• Integration with Executing
• Risk Management Strategies
• Resource Allocation

4. Executing Process Group

• Directing and Managing Project Work
• Implementing Project Plan
• Coordinating Activities
• Managing Deliverables
• Managing Project Team and Resources
• Team Building Techniques
• Resource Allocation
• Performance Management
• Implementing Quality Assurance
• Quality Audits
• Process Improvement
• Compliance Checks
• Managing Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication Strategies
• Feedback Mechanisms
• Conflict Resolution
• Conducting Procurements
• Procurement Planning
• Vendor Selection
• Contract Management
• Management Across Process Groups
• Integration with Monitoring
• Change Management
• Quality Assurance

5. Monitoring and Controlling Process Group

• Tracking Project Performance
• Performance Metrics
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Integrated Change Control
• Change Request Process
• Impact Analysis
• Change Approval
• Managing Risks and Issues
• Risk Monitoring Techniques
• Issue Resolution
• Risk Mitigation Plans
• Quality Control Activities
• Inspection and Testing
• Quality Control Charts
• Defect Management
• Communication Management
• Status Reporting
• Communication Channels
• Information Distribution
• Management Across Process Groups
• Integration with Executing
• Risk Management Updates
• Performance Reporting

6. Closing Process Group

• Finalising Project Deliverables
• Deliverable Verification
• Client Acceptance
• Handover Process
• Closing Project Phases
• Phase Completion Criteria
• Administrative Closure
• Documentation Requirements
• Closing Procurements
• Contract Closure
• Procurement Audit
• Final Payments
• Documenting Lessons Learned
• Lessons Learned Repository
• Post-Project Review
• Knowledge Transfer
• Releasing Project Resources
• Resource Deallocation
• Team Release
• Final Resource Reports
• Management Across Process Groups
• Integration with Initiating
• Final Stakeholder Engagement
• Lessons Learned

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.