Process groups
The predictive material organizes project management into five process groups:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Executing
- Monitoring and Controlling
- Closing
These groups describe the nature of project management work rather than simply acting as five isolated chronological boxes.
Initiating
Typical activities include:
- Develop Project Charter
- Identify Stakeholders
The project charter formally authorizes the project or phase and establishes high-level direction and authority.
Planning
Planning establishes the approach for delivering the objectives.
The source process map includes areas such as:
- Scope
- Requirements
- WBS
- Schedule
- Cost
- Quality
- Resources
- Communications
- Risk
- Procurement
- Stakeholder engagement
Executing
Execution is where the planned work is performed.
Activities include directing project work, managing knowledge and quality, acquiring and developing resources, communicating, implementing risk responses, procurement, and stakeholder engagement.
Monitoring and Controlling
The purpose is to track performance, identify variance, and determine whether changes are required.
The process list includes:
- Monitor project work
- Integrated change control
- Validate/control scope
- Control schedule
- Control costs
- Control quality
- Monitor risks
- Control procurements
- Monitor stakeholder engagement
Closing
The project or phase is formally completed or closed.
ITTO mindset
The source material explicitly emphasizes understanding Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs rather than blindly memorizing long lists.
A practical way to learn a process is:
What comes in? → What do we do with it? → What comes out? → Why is that output useful?