3 2 Develop Project Management Plan
Develop Project Management Plan Explained
The Develop Project Management Plan is a critical process in project management that involves creating a comprehensive document that outlines how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled. This plan serves as a roadmap for the project team and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and clarity throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Concepts
1. Project Management Plan Components
The Project Management Plan is composed of various subsidiary plans and baselines. These components include the scope management plan, schedule management plan, cost management plan, quality management plan, resource management plan, communication management plan, risk management plan, procurement management plan, and stakeholder engagement plan. Each of these plans provides detailed guidance on how to manage specific aspects of the project.
Example: The scope management plan outlines how the project scope will be defined, validated, and controlled. It includes procedures for creating the work breakdown structure (WBS) and managing scope changes.
2. Integration of Subsidiary Plans
The Develop Project Management Plan process involves integrating all subsidiary plans into a cohesive whole. This ensures that all aspects of the project are aligned and that there are no conflicting strategies or objectives. The integration process requires collaboration among various stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Example: When developing the project management plan for a software development project, the project manager must ensure that the schedule management plan (which outlines the project timeline) aligns with the resource management plan (which details the allocation of human and material resources).
3. Baselines
Baselines are specific components of the project management plan that serve as reference points for measuring performance. The three primary baselines are the scope baseline, schedule baseline, and cost baseline. These baselines are established during the Develop Project Management Plan process and are used to track and control project performance.
Example: The cost baseline is a time-phased budget that the project manager uses to measure, monitor, and control overall cost performance. Any deviations from the cost baseline must be analyzed and addressed to ensure the project stays within budget.
4. Approval and Sign-off
The final step in the Develop Project Management Plan process is obtaining approval from key stakeholders. This approval signifies that the plan has been reviewed and accepted, and that the project can move forward with the agreed-upon strategies and objectives. Sign-off is typically obtained from the project sponsor, key stakeholders, and relevant functional managers.
Example: After completing the project management plan for a construction project, the project manager presents the plan to the project sponsor and the construction company's executive team. Once the plan is approved, the project can officially begin.