Develop Project Management Plan

Develop Project Management Plan is a foundational process in the Integration Management Knowledge Area and part of the Planning Process Group. This process involves consolidating all subsidiary plans into a cohesive, comprehensive document that guides project execution, monitoring, and control. The primary output is the Project Management Plan, which serves as the roadmap for achieving project objectives.

This article explains the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the Develop Project Management Planprocess, along with practical examples and recommendations.

Inputs to Develop Project Management Plan

1. Project Charter:
   • Definition: A high-level document formally authorizing the project and outlining its objectives, constraints, and deliverables.
   • Purpose: Provides the foundation for creating the Project Management Plan by defining the project’s initial scope and key stakeholders.
   • Example: A charter for a marketing campaign specifies the project’s budget, timeline, and expected outcomes.
2. Outputs from Other Processes:
   • Definition: Documents and deliverables generated by other planning processes, such as scope, schedule, and cost management plans.
   • Purpose: Ensures all elements of the project are integrated into a single comprehensive plan.
   • Example: The Risk Management Plan and Quality Management Plan feed into the overall Project Management Plan.
3. Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs):
   • Definition: External conditions, such as market conditions, organizational culture, or industry standards, that influence the project.
   • Purpose: Ensures the plan accounts for external factors affecting project execution and management.
   • Example: Regulatory requirements for a pharmaceutical project must be integrated into the plan.
4. Organizational Process Assets (OPAs):
   • Definition: Internal policies, procedures, templates, and lessons learned from previous projects.
   • Purpose: Provides tools and best practices for creating the Project Management Plan.
   • Example: A company’s standard template for risk assessment is included in the plan.

Tools and Techniques for Develop Project Management Plan

1. Expert Judgment:
   • Definition: Involves consulting experienced professionals or subject matter experts to develop the plan.
   • Purpose: Ensures the plan incorporates best practices and realistic approaches.
   • Example: A senior project manager advises on resource allocation strategies for a large construction project.
2. Facilitation Techniques:
   • Definition: Collaborative methods, such as brainstorming, workshops, or conflict resolution, to gather inputs and align stakeholders.
   • Purpose: Encourages stakeholder collaboration and consensus.
   • Example: A workshop involving all department leads determines interdependencies and sequencing of activities.

Output of Develop Project Management Plan

1. Project Management Plan:
   • Definition: A comprehensive document that consolidates all subsidiary plans and provides guidance on project execution, monitoring, and control.
   • Purpose: Acts as the definitive guide for managing and delivering the project successfully.
   • Example: A Project Management Plan for a software development project includes subsidiary plans for scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk management.

Recommended Content of the Project Management Plan

1. Subsidiary Plans:
   • Includes individual plans for managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholders.
   • Example: The Scope Management Plan defines how project deliverables will be validated.
2. Baseline Documents:
   • Establishes baselines for scope, schedule, and cost against which performance will be measured.
   • Example: The cost baseline specifies the approved project budget.
3. Change Management Plan:
   • Details processes for handling changes to the project.
   • Example: All change requests must be approved by the Change Control Board (CCB).
4. Configuration Management Plan:
   • Outlines procedures for maintaining project documentation and deliverable consistency.
   • Example: Version control policies for design documents.
5. Performance Measurement Methods:
   • Defines methods for tracking and measuring project performance.
   • Example: Use of Earned Value Management (EVM) to monitor schedule and cost performance.
6. Roles and Responsibilities:
   • Assigns roles for managing various aspects of the project.
   • Example: The project manager oversees risk management, while the procurement officer manages vendor contracts.
7. Project Life Cycle Description:
   • Describes the phases of the project and key milestones.
   • Example: A construction project progresses through design, construction, and handover phases.
8. Tools and Techniques:
   • Specifies the tools and methodologies to be used.
   • Example: Use of Agile frameworks for iterative delivery in software development.

Practical Examples of Develop Project Management Plan

1. Construction Project:
   • Scenario: Building a residential complex.
   • Project Management Plan:
     • Includes a detailed Schedule Management Plan to align contractor schedules.
     • Cost baseline accounts for labor, materials, and contingency reserves.
2. IT Project:
   • Scenario: Implementing a new CRM system.
   • Project Management Plan:
     • Defines an iterative approach for system development and testing.
     • Incorporates a Communication Management Plan to ensure alignment with all stakeholders.
3. Event Management:
   • Scenario: Organizing an international conference.
   • Project Management Plan:
     • Includes a Procurement Management Plan for vendor contracts.
     • Stakeholder Management Plan outlines engagement strategies for sponsors and attendees.

Summary Table: Develop Project Management Plan

Conclusion

The Develop Project Management Plan process is critical for integrating all aspects of project management into a single, cohesive document. By leveraging inputs such as the project charter and outputs from other processes, applying tools like expert judgment and facilitation techniques, and producing a comprehensive Project Management Plan, project teams can ensure alignment, clarity, and control throughout the project lifecycle. A well-crafted Project Management Plan is the foundation for project success.

Knowledge Area

Integration Management

Process Group

Planning

Develop Project Management Plan Inputs

• Project Charter
• Outputs from other processes
• Enterprise Environmental Factors
• Organization Process Assets

Develop Project Management Plan Tools and Techniques

• Expert Judgement
• Facilitation Techniques

Develop Project Management Plan Outputs

• Project Management Plan