The document outlines 20 steps for developing a project management plan. It discusses that the plan sets the rules for implementing, controlling, and monitoring a project. The plan is developed during the planning phase and integrates all the knowledge areas defined by PMI. It may also include the project life cycle, change management plan, configuration management plan, and methods for maintaining the project baseline. The document then presents a process map for developing the project management plan starting from the project charter. It also provides an overview of the 47 processes defined by PMI, grouped by knowledge areas and process groups.

1. THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PLAN IN 20 STEPS

2. Author: Marco De Santis, PMP
2014
The Project Management Plan is the document that sets out the rules for the implementation,
control and monitoring of the project. It's developed during the planning phase and integrates
all management knowledge areas defined by the PMI, the requirements plan, the plan process
improvement and three project baselines (scope, time and cost).
The plan may also include, among others:
1. the project life cycle selected for the project and the processes that will be applied in each
phase
2 the change management plan that documents the procedures for monitoring and controlling
changes
3. the configuration management plan that documents the procedures for the implementing
configuration management
4. a description of methods of maintaining the integrity of the baseline project. It's a strategic
issue. Even if the Plan is created during the Planning process Group, the Plan lives with the
project and shall be aligned with its current vision. In all the process Groups (Initiating, Planning,
Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing) a privileged channel shall be set up and used to
keep the Plan updated.
In the diagram on the following page, a proposal of process map (step by step, in order of
performance) used for to develop the Project Management Plan, starting from the definition of
the Project Charter as provided by PMBOK Guide ©, Fifth Edition is presented and afterwards ,an
overview on the 47 processes as stated by Project Management Institute.

3. Author: Marco De Santis, PMP
2014

4. In Project Management vision, have been identified 5 process groups, 10 knowledge areas and 47
processes not related to a specific sector/market and, therefore, applicable to any project. The
sequence of the processes may vary according to the specific characteristics of the project.
As all processes, the Project Management processes have one or more inputs, use one or more
defined tools and techniques to obtain one or more outputs.
The iterativity of Project Management and the ability to have all five groups in a single stage mean
that there isn't a necessary correspondence between the process groups and the project life cycle.
Project Management processes overview
Author: Marco De Santis, PMP
2014

5. Project Management processes grouped by knowledge areas
Author: Marco De Santis, PMP
2014

6. Project Management processes grouped by
process groups
Author: Marco De Santis, PMP
2014