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3 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

3.6 Monitoring and controlling Process Group

The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group consists of those processes required to track, review, and
orchestrate the progress and performance of the project; identify any areas in which changes to the plan are
required; and initiate the corresponding changes. The key benefit of this Process Group is that project performance 3
is measured and analyzed at regular intervals, appropriate events, or exception conditions to identify variances
from the project management plan. The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group also involves:

• Controlling changes and recommending corrective or preventive action in anticipation of possible
problems,
• Monitoring the ongoing project activities against the project management plan and the project
performance measurement baseline, and
• Influencing the factors that could circumvent integrated change control or configuration management
so only approved changes are implemented.

This continuous monitoring provides the project team insight into the health of the project and identifies any
areas requiring additional attention. The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group not only monitors and controls
the work being done within a Process Group, but also monitors and controls the entire project effort. In multiphase
projects, the Monitoring and Controlling Process Group coordinates project phases in order to implement corrective
or preventive actions to bring the project into compliance with the project management plan. This review can result
in recommended and approved updates to the project management plan. For example, a missed activity finish date
may require adjustments and trade-offs between budget and schedule objectives. In order to reduce or control
overhead, management-by-exception procedures and other techniques can be appropriately considered.

3.7 closing Process Group

The Closing Process Group consists of those processes performed to conclude all activities across all Project
Management Process Groups to formally complete the project, phase, or contractual obligations. This Process
Group, when completed, verifies that the defined processes are completed within all of the Process Groups to close
the project or a project phase, as appropriate, and formally establishes that the project or project phase is complete.

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©2013 Project Management Institute. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Fifth Edition 57

Licensed To: Jorge Diego Fuentes Sanchez PMI MemberID: 2399412
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