Review the five traditional process groups: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Distinguish this framework from current PMP exam domains.
The five process groups are a traditional framework for organizing project management activities. They are useful for understanding predictive project work, but they are not the current PMP exam domains.
The PMBOK Guide, Sixth Edition organized 49 processes across ten knowledge areas and five process groups. This page summarizes that historical framework. For exam preparation, use PMI's current PMP exam content outline.
1. Initiating
This group consists of those processes performed to start new a project or new phase. Authorization is required. Within this process, the initial scope is defined, and initial financial resources are committed. Key outputs - Develop Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders.
2. Planning
Planning defines the approach to scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, procurement, and stakeholder engagement at an appropriate level of detail. Key outputs – Project Scope Statement, Project Management Plan, WBS, Project Schedule, Baselines, Various project plans, Activity Cost Estimates, etc.
3. Executing
This group consists of those processes performed to complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy the project requirements. Key outputs – Deliverables, Change Requests, Updates to the Project Plan, Quality Reports, Project Team Assignments, Updates to the Issue Log.
4. Monitoring and Controlling
This group consists of those processes required to review, track and arrange the performance of a project; identify any areas in which changes to the plan are required, and start the corresponding changes. Key outputs – Validate Scope, Control Scope, Quality Control Measurements, Control Communications, Control Risks.
5. Closing
This group is made up of all final processes that are needed to close a project as well as deliver all final reports, products, and services to the stakeholders. The completion of this process formally completes a project or phase Key outputs – Project Document Updates, Final Product, Service or Result Transition, Final Report, Updates to Organizational Process Assets.
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Historical framework: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Sixth Edition (2017), PMI.