9 Knowledge Areas in Brief

A brief description on the 9 knowledge areas which is adopted from the PMBOK(2008), are depicted below.

Project Integration Management

Project integration management includes the processes, activities needed to identify, define,  combine, unify and coordinate the various process management activities within the project management process groups.

 PMBOK (2008)

The knowledge area emphasis on in making choices about resource allocation, competing objectives and alternatives. The need for this knowledge area arises when the isolated individual areas needs to combine to gain an output or to reach a decision.  An overview of project integration management can be mapped as below.

Figure 08 : Project Integration Management Overview

Project Scope Management

Project Scope Management includes the process required to ensure that the project includes all work required, and only the work required, to complete the project successfully

  PMBOK (2008)

The primary concern of scope management is is to define and control what should be included in to and what should be excluded from the project. An overview of the project scope management is as follows;

Figure 09 : Project Scope Management Overview

Project Time Management

Project time management includes the processes required to manage timely completion of the project.

  PMBOK (2008)

Project time management plays a major role in determining the project success. The scope defined is broken down in to manageable components as work packages or activities whereby the time required per each activity and the flow of activity progress can be analyzed. Depending on the activity type and its scope the time can be managed using several tools and techniques such as the Gantt chart and pert chart. The time management is critical as the time that exceeds can lead to an increase in cost, where by the triple constraint would fail to manage, results the failure in the project. An overview of the project time management is as follows;

Figure 10 : Project Time Management Overview

Project Cost Management

Project cost Management includes the processes involved in estimating, budgeting, and controlling costs so that the project can be completed within the approved budget

 PMBOK(2008)

 

This area is also as equally important as the failure to finish a project within the budgeted cost, would result in project failure. The cost of a project can be estimated through parametric modeling or non-parametric modeling using tools and techniques such Historical Cost, expert Judgment or PERT. Financial statements such as cash flow statements, accounting reports and budgets are prepared at this knowledge area. An overview of project cost management is as below;

Figure 11 : Project Cost Management Overview

Project Quality Management

Project Quality Management includes the processes and activities of the performing organization that determine quality policies, objectives, and responsibilities so that the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken.

 PMBOK(2008)

Another critical factor in determining the success of a project is quality management. It addresses the management of the projects as well as the product/outcome of the project.  The quality is the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements.  The areas is to be mainly focused upon customer satisfaction, prevention over inspection, continuous improvement, and management responsibility. The overview of project quality management is mapped below;

Figure 12 : Project Quality Management Overview

Project Human Resource Management

Project Human Resource Management includes the processes that organize, manage, and lead the project team

PMBOK (2008)

A project team comprises of people assigned to different roles and responsibilities. Managing the human resources in a way that the workforce is utilized to its maximum and in a proper manner is the main functionality of human resource management. This management includes aspects of influencing the project team and ensuring professional and ethical behavioral in addition, organizational planning, staff acquisition, team development and handling conflicts also falls within the area of management.

The role a project manager can plan in managing the human resources are illustrated by the diagram below, where depending on the importance of the activity or the person, the role differs.

Figure 13 : PM Roles in Handling HR

In the above diagram, the roles played by the project manager depend on the factors listed below;

• Team Composition - Knowledge, experience and qualifications of team members
• Risk involved in tasks - Low, Moderate, High
• Dependency of tasks for project success -  Low, Moderate, High

The overview of project human resource management is mapped below;

Figure 14 : Project Human Resource Management Overview

Project Communications Management

Project Communications Management includes the processes required to ensure timely and appropriate generation, collection, distribution, storage, retrieval, and ultimate disposition of project information.

PMBOK (2008)

A project with ineffective communication would not be a success as communication is the key to carry out an activity or a task. Communication is involved before the project begins as it is important in identifying stakeholder requirements, interpreting the work to the team. As mentioned, effective communication builds a bridge between diverse stakeholders involved in a project. The overview of project communications management is illustrated below;

Figure 15 : Project Communications Management Overview

Project Risk Management

Project Risk Management includes the processes of conducting risk management planning, identification,analysis, response planning, and monitoring and control on a project.

 PMBOK (2008)

As stated, the main objective of managing the risks of a project is to increase the probability and impact of positive events and decrease the probability and impact of negative events. Project risk is always an assessment of the future which is uncertain however can effect in an unexpected manner. The better the analysis of risk, the better the management of the project would be.

The overview of project risk management is shown in the below diagram.

Figure 16 :  Project Risk Management Overview

Project Procurement Management

Project Procurement Management includes the processes necessary to purchase or acquire products,services, or results needed from outside the project team.

PMBOK(2008)

Procurement involves in purchasing and in contract management and change control processes required to develop and administrator contracts and change control processes and in administrating contractual obligations placed on the project by the project team by the contact.

The overview of Project Risk Management is as below;

Figure 17 : Project Procurement Management Overview

   

Reference

PMBOK, 2008. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. 4th ed. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute, Inc