The Project Management Plan is not just one document.
It is, rather, a collection of documents that are produced during various stages of the Planning process group.
In this article, we’ll detail exactly what goes into the all-important Project Management Plan.
What is the Project Management Plan?
Before we detail what goes into the Project Management Plan, let’s take a look at what this plan’s purpose. What exactly is it supposed to accomplish in our projects?
The Project Management Plan describes how a project is planned, executed and controlled, and it is updated throughout the entire Planning process.
It describes the resources (people, equipment, money, etc.) needed to complete the project.
It also outlines the schedule, risks, and potential problems.
Outlining all of the necessary steps and requirements for the project ensures that everyone involved understands their role and responsibilities.
So What, Exactly, Goes into the Project Management Plan?
Basically any output from the Planning process group that has either “plan” or “baseline” in its name winds up as part of the Project Management Plan.
The Project Management Institute’s PMBOK Guide lists the subsidiary management plans and baselines that can go into the Project Management Plan, and we’ll detail those below.
Note that the Project Management Plan is not limited to these elements, nor does it require every one of them every time.
Project Management Plan Components
Plans:
- Scope Management Plan
- Requirements Management Plan
- Schedule Management Plan
- Cost Management Plan
- Resource Management Plan
- Communications Management Plan
- Risk Management Plan
- Procurement Management Plan
Baselines:
- Scope Baseline
- Schedule Baseline
- Cost Baseline
In addition to these plans and baselines, the project management plan should:
- Define the project life cycle approach — i.e., Agile, iterative, etc.
- Outline the project development approach.
- Include details about when the project manager and stakeholders will review project performance.