Page 97 - Project+

The Planning process group is unquestionably one of the most critical
elements of managing a project. It’s possible that a project manager will spend as
much time planning the project as performing the work of the project (sometimes
more).

The Planning phase contains many processes that all generally lead to the creation of
plans or documents that are used throughout the project to ensure that goals of the
project are being met. Table 3.1 shows the documents that CompTIA highlights in their
objectives along with their purpose, and the process group where they are typically

produced. You will learn about each of the project management documents shown here
throughout the remainder of the book.

TABLE 3.1 Project management documents

Document Document Description Process
Name Group

Project charter Authorizes the project to begin Initiating

Project Consists of all the project planning documents such as Planning
management charter, scope statement, schedule, and more
plan

Issues log A list of issues, containing list numbers, descriptions, and Executing
owners

Organizational Describes project team member organization and Planning
chart reporting structures

Scope Documents the product description, key deliverables, Planning
statement success and acceptance criteria, key performance
indicators, exclusions, assumptions, and constraints

Communication Documents the types of information needs the Planning
plan stakeholders have, when the information should be
distributed, and how the information will be delivered

Project schedule Determines the start and finish dates for project activities Planning
and assigns resources to the activities

Status report A report to stakeholders on the status of the project Executing
deliverables, schedule, risks, issues, and more

Dashboard An electronic reporting tool that lets users choose Executing
information elements of the project to monitor project health and
status

Action items A list of project actions that should be resolved in order to Executing
fulfill deliverables

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