Process Groups

PMI and the PMBOK divide the project management processes into five groups. Each group includes one or more processes. These groups are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing.

The following list provides the definitions of how the PMBOK interprets each of these groups of processes:

• Initiating processes These are the processes that authorize the project or various phases of the project.

• Planning processes The definition of objectives and selection of the best alternatives fall into this category. These processes are time consuming but very important to the success of the project.

• Executing processes This is when you pull everything together. All your planning and refining of the scope, objectives, and deliverables come into play during the implementation of these processes. They include having all your resources in the right place at the right time with the right plan.

• Controlling processes This group involves scope management and utilizing processes to keep the project in line with the original objectives. These processes involve a lot of follow-up to make sure everything is within the constraints mandated at the beginning of the project and in the charter.

• Closing process The signoff process is the formalized closure of the project. This process is linked with the determination by the stakeholders that the project has fulfilled its obligations as stipulated in the original scope statement.