4.0 Project Integration Management

4.2 Develop Project Management Plan

Process Definition

During the planning process, the project manager and his or her team work to define what it will take to accomplish the entire project scope.  Sub-processes associated with Scope, time, cost, quality, communication, and risk management are all considered within the final plan and must be thoroughly reviewed to ensure the creation of the Project Management Plan capable of providing the direction needed throughout the entire project life cycle. 

Figure 4. Develop Project Management Plan: Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs. Reprinted from "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition" by Project Management Institute, 2013, p. 72. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.

Process Assessment

The initial assessment of this process is that it might be might appear to be of little value, or redundant, as it is little more than a unified document containing information from other knowledge areas.  While this may be true, the value in the project management plan is that it acts as a consolidated document describing how to get to the end deliverable and to ensure all stakeholders are on the same page.  Like a sports playbook, it contains the plans (plays) to ensure success.  Should changes to any play or process occur, a formal change process must exist to ensure everyone's playbook received the same update?  How would it be if the player went left and the project manager threw right?  The sheer amount of information required for the planning process requires a formal playbook (project management plan). 

ARTIFACTS

1. Kitchen Remodel Project Charter:  Example of a project charter.  Developed for a project to remodel an existing single family home kitchen.  As an input to the "Develop Project Management Plan" process it serves as the source for the development of project sub-plans.  
2. PMGT 614 Week 6 Blog (Power, Responsibility, Accountability): As an example of expert judgement, and a technique for preparing a project management plan, this blog discusses the differences between power, responsibility, and accountability.  
3. PMGT 502 Group Mechanics: Example of a facilitation technique.  As a technique group mechanics provides insight into group dynamics and the open exchange of ideas and information.