The five process groups
| Process group | Purpose | Processes (v6) |
|---|---|---|
| Initiating | Authorize the project/phase (charter, stakeholders). | 2 |
| Planning | Define scope, refine objectives, plan the work. | 24 |
| Executing | Do the work, coordinate people and resources. | 10 |
| Monitoring & Controlling | Track, review, regulate progress and changes. | 12 |
| Closing | Formally finish the project or phase. | 1 |
Process groups are not project phases — several run in parallel and iterate throughout.
The ten knowledge areas
Each knowledge area groups related processes that span the groups above:
- Integration — charter, project plan, change control.
- Scope — requirements, WBS, scope control.
- Schedule — activities, sequencing, critical path.
- Cost — estimating, budget, earned value.
- Quality — plan, manage, control quality.
- Resource — team and physical resources.
- Communications — plan, manage, monitor communication.
- Risk — identify, analyze, respond, monitor.
- Procurement — plan, conduct, control procurements.
- Stakeholder — identify and engage stakeholders.
PMBOK 6 vs PMBOK 7
The 5×10×49 grid is the PMBOK 6 structure. PMBOK 7 (2021) replaced it with 12 principles and 8 performance domains, and the current PMP exam blends predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. The grid is still a useful mental model, but study to the current exam content outline.
Mistakes examiners test
- Calling process groups "phases". They overlap and recur; phases are time-bound stages.
- Assuming the exam is pure PMBOK 6. Today's PMP is ~50% agile/hybrid.
Test yourself
4 quick questions — tap an answer to check it instantly. Nothing is sent anywhere.
1. How many process groups are there?
2. Which group has the most processes in PMBOK 6?
3. Process groups are best described as…
4. What did PMBOK 7 introduce in place of the 49-process grid?
Sources
- Project Management Institute — pmi.org.
- PMI, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).
Study summary only. "PMP" and "PMBOK" are marks of the Project Management Institute, which does not endorse this material.