Question

Which of the following process groups of the project management processes utilizes the most project time and resource?

A. Initiating
B. Planning
C. Executing
D. Monitoring and Controlling
E. Closing

Solution

The executing process group utilizes the most project time and resources. The Executing process group is a stage or phase of a project. It starts after the planning phase of a project is over. It consists of the processes used to complete the work defined in the project management plan to accomplish the project’s requirements. Execution process involves coordinating people and resources, as well as integrating and performing the activities of the project in accordance with the project management plan. The deliverables are produced as outputs from the processes performed as defined in the project management plan.

Identify Stakeholders

Identify Stakeholders is one of the two processes of Initiating process group. In this process, stakeholders are identified. This process identifies people or organizations impacted by the project. Information, such as their interest and involvement, related to stakeholders are documented in this process.

Outputs

There are two outputs of this process:

• Stakeholder register
• Stakeholder management strategy

Inputs

The Identify Stakeholder process involves the following four inputs:

• Project charter
• Procurement documents
• Enterprise environmental factors
• Organizational process assets

The Closing Process Group

The Closing Process group contains those processes that are performed to finalize all activities required to formally complete the project, phase, or contractual obligation. This is the last process group of the project management processes. Contract closeout occurs in this phase of a project. During the closing process, formal acceptance and approval are obtained. It contains 2 out of 42 project management processes.

The Controlling and Monitoring process is somewhat overlapped with the executing phase. After executing process is started, the controlling and monitoring process makes sure that the project progress is aligned to the planned documents. It contains 9 out of 42 project management processes.

Planning Process Group

The Planning Process Group consists of those processes performed to establish the total scope of the effort, define and refine the objectives, and develop the course of action required to attain those objectives.
The Planning Process Group is the second process group or stage of a project. After the Initiation stage, the system is designed. Occasionally, a small prototype of the final product is built and tested. Testing is generally performed by a combination of testers and end users, and can occur after the prototype is built or concurrently. The results of the design stage should include a product design that:

• Satisfies the project sponsor, end user, and business requirements.
• Functions as it was intended.
• Can be produced within quality standards.
• Can be produced within time and budget constraints.

Controls should be in place that ensure that the final product will meet the specifications of the project charter. The Planning Process Group contains the highest number of processes, i.e., 20 out of possible 42 project management processes.

Project Management Process Groups

Project management process groups are required for any project. They are dependent on one another and are typically performed in the same sequence on each project.

Life Cycle of Process Groups

All project processes are performed under these groups. The five project management process groups for any given project are as follows:

• Initiating: Initiating is the first phase of project. It grants the approval to commit the organization’s resources to work on the project. It contains two processes.
• Planning: Planning is the second process of project. It includes documenting requirements, budget, and work flow for the project. It contains twenty processes.