Project Management - Summary of Initiation and Planning phase - PMBOK® GUIDE

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® GUIDE) -
6^th  Edition

Background

PMBOK Guide 6^th edition discusses the framework of processes and practices that fit most projects and the key phases in project management such as the initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, as well as the closing phases. The guide has been developed for those working, or is interested in working in the project management industry and has not been written to be a step-by-step instruction manual on how to complete a project.

PMBOK 6th edition also paints a timeline of the historical achievements in project management such as building the construction of the Pyramids of Giza, and the landing of human beings on the moon. The book further explains that it was not until the mid-twentieth century that project management was recognised as an actual profession (Project Management Institute 2017, p. 3). In 1981, the Project Management Institute started developing processes for the industry to formalise the structure and guide professionals in the industry and a report was produced in 1983. The report was constantly revised and stakeholders were consulted at great length to then produce the PMBOK Guide 1^st edition in 1996 (Chung 2017, para. 6).

Further revisions were made to ensure the currency of the methods, processes, practices and concepts in project management as well as to include recommendations on what should be taught and known to all professionals in the project management industry – with the second edition having been released in 2000, the third edition released in 2004, the fourth edition released in 2009, the fifth edition released in 2013, and the current edition released in 2017 (Kopko 2016, para. 16-20).

Summary on the initiation and planning stage

The PMBOK Guide explains that the initiation process group is used to identify what the goal of the project and to ensure it meets stakeholder requirements and expectations. During this stage, the Project Manager is responsible for identifying the relevant stakeholders and aim to get a commitment for financial and human resources for the project, and prior to moving to the planning stage, a stake holder register is to be completed and a Project Charter is developed and must be officially signed off on. The guide outlines that usually, the business documents included in this stage are the business case and benefits management plan, stakeholder engagement plan and the communications management plan (Project Management Institute 2017, p. 5).

The book then explains that the planning processes is about establishing everything that is required to get the project completed. During this phase, the following is completed:

• Project Scope Statement
• Work Breakdown Structure
• Schedule Management Plan
• Identifying activities and sequence
• Estimating duration of activities
• Development of schedule
• Identification of budget and align costs
• Resource and Stakeholder Management plan
• Communication Management Plan
• Risk Management Plan (Project Management Institute 2017, pp. 14-16)

The publication explains that the initiation phase has a great impact on the other stages. Therefore, spending sufficient time and ensuring the accuracy of the information will ensure the project has the best chance of success and to minimize impact on other areas (Project Management Institute 2017, pp. 10-15).