What is PMBOK Methodology | Principles and Process of PMBOK Methodology

PMBOK methodology stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge. Created by the Project Management Institute (PMI, a non-profit professional association), it is a guide that brings together all the knowledge in project management. This document brings together the knowledge of project management theorists and practitioners with the objective of identifying and documenting good practices in the sector. The interest of PMBOK lies in the fact that it is regularly updated.

The first edition of the PMBOK was published in 1996 by the PMI under the title a guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). Since then, five editions have been published, the last one in 2013. Since 2000, PMBOK has been recognized by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) as the reference for project management.

Principles of Project-Management-Body-of-Knowledge

PMBOK documents the fundamentals and good practices of project management. From the start of a project to its completion, through the planning, execution and control of tasks, this guide details the different stages of the life of a project. He accompanies the project teams by giving the methodology to be used to estimate the workload, the means to be implemented and the costs involved. It also deals with quality, risk and communication.

The PMBOK applies to all types of projects, in a wide range of sectors such as construction, industry, IT, etc. The aim is to help the project managers to realize their projects in the best conditions.

5 – Steps Process of PMBOK Methodology

PMBOK focuses on processes. It decomposes project management into 5 process groups:

• The start,
• Planning,
• Execution,
• Steering and control,
• Fence
• The start

This process brings together all the processes, activities and skills required to start a project properly. It allows to precisely determining the final objective of the project and what needs to be accomplished. Defining the different phases of the project, selecting its team and establishing the budget are essential steps for a successful project launch. This is an important process to ensure the success of the project.

• Planning

This process group defines precisely all the phases of the project and determines the strategy to be followed to achieve the objectives set by optimizing the workload and respecting the budgetary and temporal constraints.

• The Execution

This group of processes involves coordinating effectively the work of the different actors of the project and the resources according to the established schedule. The project manager must possess excellent organizational and communication skills. He is the real conductor of the project and must ensure that the tasks are executed on time and within the budget allocated.

• Steering and Control

Evaluate work accomplished, manage risks, manage costs, manage deadlines, and handle change requests and contingencies. This group of processes is very complete and allows the monitoring, the revision and the adjustment of the progress and the performances of the project. The project manager must effectively manage the project in order to achieve the objectives set. If the project deviates then, it must act accordingly and put in place corrective measures. While the other process groups take place in sequence, it runs throughout the duration of the project, from its launch to its closure. So it’s very important.

• Fence

Here, the challenge is to complete the project successfully, that is to say, having met the deadlines and the budget fixed at the start. The closure of a project is an essential step that should not be overlooked. The project must be accepted by the client and officially closed. It is essential to learn from the lessons learned, to archive information for future projects and to congratulate the team for the work accomplished.

In total, PMBOK lists 47 project management processes distributed within these 5 groups.

The 10 areas of expertise

This guide structures project management into ten areas of expertise:

• Management of integration
• Content Management
• Delay management
• Cost management
• Quality Management
• Human resources management
• Communications Management
• Risk management
• Supply management
• Management of stakeholders ( stakeholders ), added to the 5 the edition

All this knowledge is essential to be a successful project manager.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PMBOK Methodology

• The main advantage of PMBOK is that it is a guide to knowledge and good practices created by project management professionals who update it regularly.
• This guide allows companies to standardize their practices, which means that each department works in the same way. This also makes it possible to find the same practices from one company to another.
• There is no major disadvantage to this methodology, except that it must be adapted to the size and sector of the project for which you are responsible.
• Finally, it is important to respect all PMBOK processes to ensure the success of your project.

In Conclusion

The PMBOK describes a set of knowledge and best practices to be implemented to effectively manage all types of projects and lead them to success. This guide identifies only those practices recognized by project management specialists who have themselves tested and approved them. It is therefore a reference of quality in the field.