This chapter covers key concepts related to Project Integration Management.
The knowledge area of Project Integration Management consists of the following seven processes -
Project Integration Processes
Process
Project Phase
Key Deliverables
Develop Project Charter
Initiating
Project Charter
Develop Project Management Plan
Planning
Project Management Plan
Direct and Manage Project Execution
Execution
Deliverables
Monitor and Control Project Work
Monitoring and Control
Change Requests
Perform Integrated Change Control
Monitoring and Control
Change Requests status updates
Close Project or Phase
Closure
Final product
A project charter
Formally authorizes the project.
Gives the objectives and business case
Identifies the Project Manager.
Generic enough not to change often.
Written by a Manager higher in authority than Project Manager.
Includes name, description, deliverables
A project does not start unless it has a Project charter.
The Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Output of Develop Project Charter process are given below.
Develop Project Charter process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project Statement of work
Expert judgment
Project Charter
Business case
Contract
Enterprise environmental factors
Organizational process assets
During project execution the project team focuses on completing the tasks assigned. The Senior Management
protects the project from changes and loss of resources.
The Project Manager integrates all the pieces into the project as a whole.
The Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs of the Develop Project Management Plan process are given in the
table below.
Develop Project Management Plan process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project charter
Expert judgment
Project Management Plan
Outputs from planning processes
Enterprise environmental factors
Organizational process assets
At the end of each phase of a project, a lessons learned document must be prepared. The lessons learned document defines what was done right, wrong etc. It is required to be completed in order for the project to be completed.
Project Management Information System (PMIS) is a system that keeps track of status of all the project tasks.
It is used to track the status of the project. The exam does not focus on any specific system (for example Microsoft Project ).
Project Management Plan is developed by Project Manager with inputs from the team, stakeholders and management.
Project Management Plan development is iterative. A Project Management Plan is bought into, approved, realistic and formal.
A Project Management Plan includes -
Project Charter
Budget
Schedule
Resources
Scope Statement
WBS
Responsibility charts/assignments
Management Plans
A Project Management Plan consolidates other management plans. These are:
Scope management plan
Requirement management plan
Schedule management plan
Cost management plan
Quality management plan
Process improvement plan
Human resource plan
Communication management plan
Risk management plan
Procurement management plan
The Project Management Plan also includes project baselines. These are:
Schedule baseline
Cost performance baseline
and
Scope baseline
Project baseline refers to the original version of the project management plan. Once the project management plan is baselined, it may only be changed by raising a change request.
Progressive Elaboration involves the process of taking a project from concept to
detailed design.
Kick-off meeting happens after the planning phase and before the project execution.
It is typically used to communicate responsibilities of key stakeholders.
Direct and Manage Project Execution process includes performing the work defined in the PMP to achieve project goals. The Input, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of this process are given below.
Direct and Manage Project Execution process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Expert judgment
Deliverables
Approved change requests
Project management information system
Work performance information
Enterprise Environmental factors
Change requests
Organizational process assets
Project management plan updates
Project document updates
Monitor and Control project work process includes tracking and reviewing the progress of the project. The Input, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of this process are given below.
Monitor and Control project work process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Expert judgment
Change requests
Performance reports
Project management plan updates
Enterprise environmental factors
Project document updates
Organizational process assets
The change requests that get generated are evaluated as part of the Perform Integrated Change Control process. The change requests on the project deliverables and project artifacts are managed in this process. The Input, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of this process are given below.
Perform Integrated Change Control process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Expert judgment
Change request status updates
Work performance information
Change control meetings
Project management plan updates
Change requests
Project document updates
Enterprise environmental factors
Organizational process assets
Change Control Board is formed to review change requests. It is used to approve or reject
change requests.
After the project scope has been baselined, each requested change must go through a change control review process.
Project Manager needs to be proactive in looking for deviations from project plan and then take
timely corrective action. After that the Project Manager needs to evaluate the effectiveness of corrective action,
and measure performance of corrective action, and then determine the need for further corrective action.
When a change request is received, the following steps must be taken (in this order) -
Evaluate (assess) the impact of change to the project
Create alternatives including cutting other tasks, crashing, fast-tracking etc.
Meet with management, sponsors etc.
Meet with the customer if necessary
The Close Project or Phase is the process of formal completion of all project related activities. The Input, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of this process are given below.
Close Project or Phase
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Expert judgment
Final product, service or result transition
Accepted deliverables
Organizational process assets updates
Organizational process assets
At the end of each phase of a project, a lessons learned document must be prepared. The lessons learned document defines what was done right, wrong etc. It is required to be completed in order for the project to be completed.
Questions on Project Integration Management fundamentals are available in Questions by Topic.