Project Management guide · Project management fundamentals
Project Management Processes: Process Groups and Knowledge Areas
Traditional project management describes the work as processes organised in two ways: by when they happen (process groups) and by what they cover (knowledge areas). Understanding both helps you see what a complete project plan needs.
Key takeaways
- Five process groups describe when work happens.
- Ten knowledge areas describe what must be managed.
- Tailor processes to the project's size and risk.
The five process groups
| Process group | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Initiating | Define a new project or phase and obtain authorisation |
| Planning | Establish scope, objectives and the course of action |
| Executing | Complete the work defined in the plan |
| Monitoring and controlling | Track, review and regulate progress and performance |
| Closing | Formally complete the project or phase |
Process groups are not phases: they repeat within each phase and overlap. See project management phases.
The ten knowledge areas
| Knowledge area | Covers |
|---|---|
| Integration | Coordinating all parts of the project; see integration management |
| Scope | What is and isn't included; see scope |
| Schedule | Timing and sequencing; see scheduling |
| Cost | Estimates, budgets and control; see cost management |
| Quality | Meeting requirements; see quality management |
| Resources | People, equipment and materials |
| Communications | Information flow; see communication management |
| Risk | Uncertainty; see risk management |
| Procurement | Buying from suppliers; see procurement management |
| Stakeholders | Engaging people affected; see stakeholder management |
This structure was the backbone of the PMBOK Guide up to its sixth edition. The seventh edition moved to principles and performance domains, but the knowledge areas remain a practical checklist.
Tailoring processes
Not every project needs every process at the same depth. A two-week internal project may need a one-page plan; a multi-year infrastructure programme needs formal processes for each area. Tailor based on size, risk, complexity and regulation.
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Frequently asked questions
How many project management processes are there?
The PMBOK Guide, sixth edition, defined 49 processes across five process groups and ten knowledge areas.
Are project management process groups the same as phases?
No. Phases divide the project over time; process groups recur within each phase.
What are the five project management process groups?
Initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing.
Which ten knowledge areas organise the project management processes?
Integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communications, risk, procurement and stakeholders.
What is the difference between a project management process group and a knowledge area?
Process groups describe the type of management activity; knowledge areas describe the subject. Each process belongs to one of each.
Which project management process group has the most processes?
Planning. In the PMBOK Guide sixth edition, 24 of the 49 processes sat in the planning process group.
Does the PMBOK Guide 7th edition still use project management process groups?
The seventh edition is organised around principles and performance domains instead. The process groups now appear in PMI's separate Process Groups: A Practice Guide.
What does integration management cover in the project management processes?
Coordinating all parts of the project so they work together, including the charter, plan, change control and closure. See project integration management.
What does tailoring project management processes mean?
Choosing which processes to use and how rigorously, based on the project's size, risk and context.
What are the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs (ITTOs) of a project management process?
The PMBOK sixth edition described each process by what goes in, how the work is done and what comes out. They are useful for understanding, not for memorising.
Are the project management process groups sequential?
No. They overlap and repeat within each phase, and monitoring and controlling runs throughout.