Module Objective
Understand the various direct stakeholders
Understand the various plans (subsidiary plans)
Understand various tools
Understand the importance of continuous integration of these plans into an integrated project plan
Let us consider an IT project;
The engineering team develops the schedule for engineering
The test team develops the schedule for testing
The documentation team develops the schedule for documentation
The resource management team develops the schedule for resource management
While all these entities are primarily focused only on their own functions, the Project Manager has to ensure that all these plans are integrated and aligned from the start till the end of the project.
In the case of Construction projects, this becomes more complex.
Construction projects comprises of Owner, Consultants, Contractors, Sub-contractors, Suppliers, Risk Management teams, PMOs etc as direct stakeholders. If their schedules are not aligned continuously the project will get into disarray. To add to this complexity, there exists multiple tools like the scheduling tools, ERP tools, PMIS etc and these must be compatible to integrate.
This calls for robust integration and alignment of project plans with the help of Integration Management Plan.
These are the approved versions used for performance measurement:
1.1 Scope Baseline
Project scope statement
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
WBS dictionary
1.2 Schedule Baseline
Approved project schedule
Milestones and timelines
1.3 Cost Baseline
Approved budget
Cost distribution over time
These plans define how each knowledge area will be managed:
2.1 Scope Management Plan
How scope will be defined, validated, and controlled
2.2 Schedule Management Plan
Scheduling methods, tools, and control thresholds
2.3 Cost Management Plan
Cost estimation, budgeting, and control approach
2.4 Quality Management Plan
Quality standards, metrics, and assurance processes
2.5 Resource Management Plan
Team structure, roles, responsibilities (RACI), staffing
2.6 Communications Management Plan
Communication methods, frequency, stakeholders
2.7 Risk Management Plan
Risk identification, analysis, response strategies
2.8 Procurement Management Plan
Contracting strategy, vendor management
2.9 Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Strategies to engage stakeholders effectively
3.1 Change Management Plan
How changes will be requested, evaluated, and approved
Change Control Board (CCB) details
3.2 Configuration Management Plan
How project documents and deliverables are version-controlled
3.3 Requirements Management Plan
How requirements are collected, tracked, and managed
3.4 Process Improvement Plan
Continuous improvement approach
Predictive / Agile / Hybrid approach
Phase definitions and stage gates
Key review points
Decision-making framework
Escalation paths
KPIs and metrics (e.g., CPI, SPI)
Reporting formats and frequency
High-level references (detailed logs may be separate documents)
What processes are tailored and why
How deliverables will be produced
Make/buy decisions
Delivery approach