If you’re planning to take the PMP exam and you’re not yet familiar with the 5 process groups, then make it a top priority to memorize and understand them thoroughly.
Each of the 5 process groups is important for project success. In this blog post, we’ll explain each project management process group and note some of the key things you need to know about them before taking the PMP exam to get your Project Management Professional certification.
What are the 5 process groups in project management?
The five process groups of the project lifecycle are:
1. Initiating
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing
These five process groups are the backbone of the project lifecycle, made up of the many processes, from the 10 knowledge areas, that you will need to consider and act upon throughout your project.
When are the process groups used in project management?
One of the many challenges with remembering and using these process groups, and with the project lifecycle in general, is the largely non-linear way you will encounter them.
The knowledge areas, process groups and processes themselves are typically presented in a standard grid, giving the impression that you would follow them in a linear, step-by-step order. And while you might consistently perform some of the tasks in a specific order, in reality, you will also regularly jump backward from one process group to a previous one, and you might repeat processes within the groups multiple times throughout the course of your project.
Studying the 5 process groups for the PMP exam
Because of that non-linear reality we noted above, memorizing the processes can be a bit of a struggle for anyone who is new to the world of project management and studying for the PMP Exam, but make no mistake: memorizing them is extremely important to passing your exam and receiving your credential.
Here’s a closer look at each of the 5 process groups, to help you understand them a bit better.
1. Initiating
Initiating is the first process group, and it is the phase in which the project manager defines the project scope, objectives, and requirements. This is also the phase where you gain approval from sponsors or other decision-makers to proceed with the project.
2. Planning
Planning is the second process group and is the stage where you develop a detailed project plan. This plan includes activities like creating a work breakdown structure, estimating costs, and scheduling milestones.
3. Executing
Executing is the third process group and is when you actually carry out the project according to the plan. This includes tasks like conducting meetings, managing risks, and communicating with stakeholders.
4. Monitoring and Controlling
Monitoring and controlling is the fourth process group and is the phase where you track progress against the project plan and take corrective action if necessary.
5. Closing
Closing is the fifth and final process group. This is where you formally close the project, document lessons learned, and hand off deliverables to the customer or client.
Conclusion
As you can see, each of the 5 process groups is important for project success. If you’re planning on taking the PMP exam, be sure to study each of these process groups thoroughly. And if you want to ace the exam, memorizing the process groups is a good idea! Good luck!