Chapter 20: Project Integration Management in Project Execution Phase

Aim: To understand the Direct and manage project execution process

PMI includes the direct and manage project execution process within the integration knowledge area and defines the process as “executing the work defined in the project management plan to achieve the project’s objectives.”

This is the stage in our project where the actual work is performed. The Project Management Plan is our savior and we follow it religiously to complete all the work required.

A point to note here is that, the team does all the work and the Manager plays the role of a supervisor or a facilitator. That is why the process is named as “Direct & Manage Project Execution” and not “Do the Project work”

The table below shows the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for the direct and manage project execution process.

Direct and Manage Project Execution
Inputs	Tools & Techniques	Outputs
Project management plan Approved change requests Enterprise environmental factors Organizational process assets	Expert judgment Project management information system	Deliverables Work performance information Change requests Project management plan updates Project document updates

The PMBOK includes a list of activities that are included in the direct and manage project execution process. The purpose of these activities is to produce the deliverables that are defined within the project’s scope. The work also includes completed approved changes, corrective action, preventive action, and defect repair. Finally, work performance information is produced. This information is used to monitor and control activities against the project plan baseline.

One key output of this activity is the actual project deliverables. They might be tangible deliverables, such as a road or computer software, or intangible deliverables such as training.

The project manager executes the project using the organization’s project management methodology and project management information system. The methodology is the tools, templates, and procedures for executing projects. For example, it includes the change management process or status reporting process.

The project management information system (PMIS) includes the scheduling tools, tools for reporting, document repositories, and any other systems used in project execution. The PMIS also includes the techniques used for gathering, integrating, and disseminating process outputs. The PMIS can be both manual and automated.

As a result of monitoring/controlling activities, additional work might be required in execution. For example, a quality control activity might indicate that a deliverable does not meet the quality standards, which would cause rework. But, that is not in scope for this chapter and will be covered as part of the Monitor & Control Project Work Phase.

Exam Watch:

Understand the difference between corrective action and preventive action. Preventive action is anything done to prevent, or avoid, a specific situation. Corrective action is “after the fact” activities that fix an issue after it has occurred.

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