The PMBOK Approach to Project Monitoring and Control

Project Monitoring and Control is a critical aspect of project management. Project management is the process of planning, executing, controlling and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) outlines a set of best practices for project management. The PMBOK approach to Project Monitoring and Control focuses on ensuring that the project is carried out within the defined scope, time, cost and quality constraints.

Project monitoring and control is a continuous process that begins with the initiation of the project and continues until its closure. The objective of project monitoring and control is to track the performance of the project and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. The PMBOK approach to Project Monitoring and Control is based on the following five process groups:

1. Planning
2. Executing
3. Monitoring and Controlling
4. Closing

The PMBOK approach to Project Monitoring and Control also identifies the following ten knowledge areas that are relevant to project management:

1. Integration
2. Scope
3. Time
4. Cost
5. Quality
6. Resource
7. Communication
8. Risk
9. Procurement
10. Stakeholder Management

Planning

The Planning process group is focused on defining the project objectives, determining the project scope, developing the project schedule, estimating the project costs and determining the project quality requirements. The output of the Planning process group is the Project Management Plan, which serves as a roadmap for the remainder of the project.

The following lists are some of the key elements of the Project Management Plan:

1. Project charter
2. Project scope statement
3. Work breakdown structure (WBS)
4. Project schedule
5. Project budget
6. Quality management plan
7. Resource management plan
8. Communication plan
9. Risk management plan
10. Procurement plan

The Project Management Plan is a living document that is updated throughout the life of the project to reflect changes in the project environment.

Executing

The Executing process group is focused on implementing the project management plan. This process group involves the following activities:

1. Resource allocation
2. Task assignment
3. Performance measurement
4. Status reporting
5. Quality control
6. Risk management
7. Communication management

The goal of the Executing process group is to deliver the project outputs in accordance with the project management plan.

“Execution is the act of doing, the carrying out, the accomplishing of the plans.” -Napoleon Hill

One of the key tools used in the Executing process group is the Gantt chart. A Gantt chart is a graphical representation of the project schedule, showing the start and end dates of each task and their inter-dependencies. There are many different software programs available for creating Gantt charts, including Microsoft Project, Wrike, Monday.com, Smartsheet and others.

Monitoring and Controlling

The Monitoring and Controlling process group is focused on tracking the performance of the project and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. This process group involves the following activities:

1. Performance measurement
2. Status reporting
3. Quality control
4. Risk management
5. Change control

The goal of the Monitoring and Controlling process group is to ensure that the project stays on track and that any deviations from the project management plan are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

One of the key tools used in the Monitoring and Controlling process group is the online Gantt chart. An online Gantt chart provides real-time visibility into the status of the project, allowing project managers to quickly identify any potential issues and take corrective action. Some popular online Gantt chart software include GanttPRO, ClickUp, and others.

“Control is the cornerstone of successful project management.” -Harold Kerzner

Closing

The Closing process group is focused on formally closing the project. This process group involves the following activities:

1. Finalizing all project activities
2. Obtaining customer acceptance
3. Transferring ownership of the project deliverables
4. Archiving project records
5. Terminating supplier contracts

The goal of the Closing process group is toensure that the project is properly closed out and that all project outputs are handed over to the customer. The output of the Closing process group is the final Project Report, which provides a summary of the project and its results.

“The end is the beginning of all things, suppressed and hidden, awaiting to be released through the rhythm of time.” -Kahlil Gibran

In conclusion, the PMBOK approach to Project Monitoring and Control is a comprehensive methodology for managing projects. It outlines the key steps involved in planning, executing, monitoring and controlling and closing a project, and provides guidance on how to carry out each step effectively. By following the PMBOK approach, project managers can ensure that their projects are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

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• What is the PMBOK Process Group and How Does It Work?
• How does PMBOK handle project schedule management?
• How does PMBOK approach project integration management?