Project management areas of knowledge chart

Projects are divided in to phases and sub phases for easier management. As we learned in
previous article phases can be sequential, or overlapping or iterative in approach. We apply
project management knowledge, tools, and principles to manage these phases and in turn
projects. Project management knowledge is based on processes. As per PMBOK Guide 5th
edition, there are 47 processes. These 47 processes are grouped under 5 groups. Those 5 Process
groups are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Initiation
Planning
Executing
Monitoring & Control
Closing.

We also need to understand what is a process means?

According to PMBOK guide, A process is a set of interrelated actions and activities performed to
create a pre-specified product, service, or result. Each process is characterized by its inputs, the
tools and techniques that can be applied, and the resulting outputs.

Another way of classification of these processes is Knowledge areas. As per PMBOK Guide 5th
edition there are 10 knowledge areas.
Those 10 knowledge areas are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Project Integration Management

Project Scope Management
Project Cost Management
Project Time Management
Project Risk Management
Project Quality Management
Project HR Management
Project Communication Management
Project Procurement Management

10. Project stakeholder management

Effective Project Management requires knowledge and skills from following 5 areas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (5 process groups and 10 knowledge areas)
Application area knowledge, standards, and regulations
Understanding the project environment factors and process assets
General management knowledge and skills
Interpersonal skills. There are 11 interpersonal skills defined in PMBOK guide 5th
edition. Learning those is very important and might lead to 10-15 questions in the real
pmp exam. .

PMBOK 5th Edition: Process ChartProcess Groups

10 Knowledge
Areas

Initiating

4. Project
Integration
Management

4.1 Develop
4.2 Develop
Project Charter Project
Management
Plan

5. Project Scope
Management

6. Project Time
Management

Planning

Executing

Monitoring
and
Controlling

Closing

4.3 Direct and

4.4 Monitor and 4.6 Close
Manage Project Control Project Project or Phase
Work
Work4.5
Perform
Integrated
ChangeControl
5.1 Plan Scope
5.5 Validate
Management5.2
Scope5.6
Collect
Control Scope
Requirements5.3
Define Scope5.4
Create WBS
6.1 Plan
6.7 Control
Schedule
Schedule
Management6.2
Define
Activities6.3
Sequence
Activities6.4
Estimate
Activity
Resources6.5
Estimate
Activity
Durations6.6
Develop
Schedule

7. Project Cost
Management

8. Project
Quality
Management
9. Project
Human
Resource
Management

10. Project
Communications
Management
11. Project Risk
Management

12. Project
Procurement
Management
13. Project
Stakeholder
Management

13.1 Identify
Stakeholders

7.1 Plan Cost

Management7.2
Estimate
Costs7.3
Determine
Budget
8.1 Plan Quality 8.2 Perform
Management
Quality
Assurance
9.1 Plan Human 9.2 Acquire
Resource
Project Team9.3
Management
Develop Project
Team9.4
Manage Project
Team
10.1 Plan
10.2 Manage
Communications Communications
Management
11.1 Plan Risk
Management11.2
Identify
Risks11.3
Perform
Qualitative Risk
Analysis11.4
Perform
Quantitative
Risk
Analysis11.5
Plan Risk
Responses
12.1 Plan
12.2 Conduct
Procurement
Procurements
Management
13.2 Plan
13.3 Manage
Stakeholder
Stakeholder
Management
Engagement

7.4 Control
Costs

8.3 Control
Quality

10.3 Control
Communications
11.6 Control
Risks

12.3 Control
Procurements
13.4 Control
Stakeholder
Engagement

12.4 Close
Procurements