Chapter 3. Process Framework

Question 1

What is the process framework?

Answer 1

Processes organized into 10 knowledge areas and based on 5 foundational process groups.

Question 2

The 5 foundational process groups of a process framework are:

Answer 2

1. Initiating - processes that begin the project
2. Planning - processes that create the plans that will govern the work
3. Executing - processes the execute the plans and produce work
4. Monitoring and Controlling - processes that compare the work results to the plan and make adjustments for the future
5. Closing - the process that completes the project, phase or a component of a project

There are 49 processes that can be categorized into one of these process groups.

Question 3

The 10 knowledge areas of a process framerwork are:

Answer 3

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

The 49 processes categorized under process groups can also be organized under these 10 knowledge areas.

Question 4

What is a process?

Answer 4

Inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs, which are combined to form processes, which are performed for a specific purpose, to accomplish an objective.

Examples of processes:
Develop a schedule
Identify the risks

Question 5

What are inputs?

Answer 5

Inputs are the starting point of a process, informational building blocks to help form the recipe of a process (i.e. raw data/raw materials).

Question 6

What are tools and techniques?

Answer 6

Tools and techniques are the actions or methods used to transform inputs into outputs. Techniques are methods, such as flowchating, to help frame, approach and solve problems.

Question 7

What are outputs?

Answer 7

End result of our efforts, i.e. a document, product, service or result. All processes have at least one output. Outputs can become inputs into other processes, or as part of a broader deliverable, such as the project plan.

Question 8

Occassionally there is overlap between processes, true or false?

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

What verbs are associated with processes in the Initating process group?

Answer 9

Start, Begin as well overlapping verbs Create, Develop, Identify

Question 10

What verbs are associated with processes in the Planning Process group?

Answer 10

Start, Begin as well as overlapping verbs Create, Develop, Perform

Question 11

What verbs are associated with processes in the Executing process group?

Answer 11

Manage, Acquire, and Do as well as overlapping verb Perform

Question 12

What verbs are associated with processes in the Monitoring and Controlling process group?

Answer 12

Validate, Review, Control, Monitor, Compare, Adjust as well as overlapping verb Perform

Question 13

What verbs are associated with processes in the Closing process group?

Answer 13

Close

Question 14

What does progressively elaborated mean?

Answer 14

That some processes are performed iteratively.

Question 15

What is the difference between project phases and process groups?

Answer 15

All 49 processes can be performed one or more times in each project phase.

Question 16

What processes fall under Process Group 1: Initiating?

Answer 16

(1) Develop Project Charter and (2) Identify Stakeholders to establish clear goals and authority.

This involves naming the Project Manager and generating a Stakeholder register. May be performed more than once during a single project. If performed in phases, each phase may require separate Initiation.

Question 17

***What processes fall under Process Group 2: Planning?

Answer 17

24 of them:
Develop Project Management Plan
Plan Scope Managment
Collect Requirements
Define Scope
Create WBS
Plan Schedule Management
Define Activities
Sequence Activities
Estimate Activity Durations
Develop Schedule
Plan Cost Management
Estsimate Costs
Determine Budget
Plan Quality Management
Plan Resource Management
Estimate Activity Resources
Plan Communications Management
Plan Risk Management
Identify Risks
Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis
Plan Risk Responses
Plan Procurement Management
Plan Stakeholder Engagement

Question 18

What processes fall under Process Group 3: Executing?

Answer 18

10 of them:
Direct & Manage Project Work
Manage Project Knowledge
Manage Quality
Acquire Resources
Develop Team
Manage Team
Manage Communications
Implement Risk Responses
Conduct Procurements
Manage Stakeholder Engagements
*Processes to carrying out the project plan*

Question 19

What processes fall under Process Group 4: Monitoring & Controlling?

Answer 19

12 of tem:
Monitor & Control Project Work
Perform Integrated Change Control
Validate Scope
Control Scope
Control Schedule
Control Costs
Control Quality
Control Resources
Monitor Communications
Monitor Risks
Control Procurements
Monitor Stakeholder Engagements
*Things are measured, inspected, reviewed, compared, monitored, verfied and reported to ensure that the plan is working... I.e. Taking the results from executing processes and comparing them against the plan*

Question 20

All Monitoring and Controlling processes will have at least how many inputs?

Answer 20

Two, one planned and one actual, compared for variances to see if changes are warranted.

About influencing future results… not to be confused with taking corrective action itself or “fixing” past mistakes.

Question 21

What processes fall under Process Group 5: Closing?

Answer 21

Close Project or Phase

Generally done following customer acceptance, involves:

• Updating project records, project archives & lessons learned
• Releasing team