Project management processes are a series of project management activities. Each process receives a set of inputs and produces a set of outputs by using a set of tools and techniques.

The output of one process may become an input to one or more processes. For example, Project Charter, the output of the process “Develop Project Charter”, becomes an input to several other processes like “Develop Project Management Plan”, “Close Project or Phase”, “Plan Scope Management”, “Collect Requirements”, “Define Scope”, etc.

Some processes may have outputs that result in deliverables for the project or project phase. For example, Final product, service or result transition, the output of “Close Project or Phase” is the final output that is delivered to the customer and does not become an input to any other process.

Certain outputs go through a series of project management processes. For example, Deliverables, the output of “Direct and Manage Project Work” is an input to “Control Quality” process leading to the output of Verified deliverables. Verified deliverables becomes an input to “Validate Scope” process leading to the output of Accepted deliverables. Subsequently, Accepted deliverables is taken as an input to “Close Project or Phase” process leading to the final output Final product, service or result transition.

Project management is accomplished through the 49 project management processes, described in PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition. However, not every process is required in each project as the projects are unique. The project manager may need to do some tailoring to ensure relevant processes, tools and techniques are used for his/ her project.

The 49 project management processes are logically grouped by PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition into 5 project management process groups and 10 project management knowledge areas.

5 Project management process groups

A project management process group is a logical grouping of project management processes to achieve specific project objectives.

The 5 project management process groups are:

1. Initiating
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling and
5. Closing

10 Project management knowledge areas

Project management knowledge area is an identified area of project management, defined by its knowledge requirements. The 10 project management knowledge areas identified in PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition are:

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

Projects in certain industries may require further knowledge areas. For example, construction projects may require safety, health and environment knowledge area. But, the ten knowledge areas identified in PMBOK Guide are used in most of the projects most of the times.

Mnemonic to remember 10 Project Management Knowledge Areas

I remember the bending equation M/I = f/y = E/R thanks to a mnemonic “May I Fool You Elizabeth Rani?”. I still remember this formula even after two decades of completing my engineering degree. All of us would still be able to recall “All Silver Tea Cups” or “All Students Take Coffee”, the mnemonics used for remembering the signs of trigonometry ratios studied in high school.

It is easier to remember the 10 project management knowledge areas. However, some candidates look for mnemonics, at least in the early stages of preparation, to remember the knowledge areas. I have created one for you, that could aid in remembering the 10 project management knowledge areas easily.

I should serve coffee; Queen Radha Comes with Rana Pratap Singh

I – Integration

Should – Scope

Serve – Schedule

Coffee – Cost

Queen – Quality

Radha – Resource

Comes with – Communication

Rana – Risk

Pratap – Procurement

Singh – Stakeholder

Hope that helps you. Have you created any similar mnemonic for PMP exam preparation? If yes, please share yours in the comments box below.