Direct and Manage Project Work

Diving back into Integration Management and then break down one of its core processes: Direct and Manage Project Work.

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Transcript

Hey there, project pros and PMP hopefuls! Welcome back to PMP in a Snap, the podcast that gives you quick and oh-so-informative insights so you can pass your PMP exam.I’m your host, Kaye B, and today we’re diving back into Integration Management. We’ll do a quick recap of what this knowledge area is all about and then break down one of its core processes: Direct and Manage Project Work.

This is the process where the magic happens—where plans meet reality, and project managers like us roll up our sleeves and get things done. Ready? Let’s jump in!

What is Integration Management Again?

Quick refresher for anyone new here—or anyone who needs a little reminder after too much coffee (or not enough): Integration Management is the ultimate coordination gig.

As project managers, we juggle all the things: scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, resources—you name it. Integration Management ensures all those pieces fit together like a perfectly solved puzzle.

This knowledge area runs through the entire project lifecycle, from creating your project charter to officially closing things out. And smack in the middle of it is today’s star: Direct and Manage Project Work.

Okay, so what is this process all about? In plain English, this is where you execute the work defined in your project management plan.

Imagine you’re a chef in a busy kitchen. You’ve already planned the menu (your project management plan), prepped your ingredients (your baselines and subsidiary plans), and now it’s time to cook the meals (Direct and Manage Project Work).

It’s all about making sure tasks get done, deliverables are created, and everything stays on track—well, as much as possible.

Let’s break this down, PMP style.

Inputs

To direct and manage project work, you need the right ingredients:

1.      Project Management Plan – This is your roadmap, guiding what work needs to be done.

2.      Project Documents – Think of items like your risk register, issue log, and lessons learned.

3.      Approved Change Requests – Any changes that have been formally approved now need to be implemented.

4.      Enterprise Environmental Factors – These are external conditions that can affect your work, like market trends or organizational culture.

5.      Organizational Process Assets – Policies, procedures, templates—basically, the stuff your company already has in place to help you.

Tools and Techniques

Here’s what you’ll use to make the magic happen:

1.      Expert Judgment – Call in the experts to ensure you’re doing things the right way.

2.      Project Management Information System (PMIS) – Tools like software or dashboards to help track progress.

3.      Meetings – Yes, again with the meetings. Love them or hate them, they’re crucial for keeping everyone aligned.

And here’s what you get your outputs, when all is said and done:

1.      Deliverables – The stuff your project was meant to produce, whether it’s a product, service, or result.

2.      Work Performance Data – Raw data about how the work is progressing, like completed tasks or hours logged.

3.      Issue Log – A list of any problems or roadblocks that need addressing.

4.      Change Requests – Because let’s face it, no project ever goes exactly as planned.

5.      Updates to Project Documents and Plans – Adjustments to reflect new realities as your project unfolds.

Why Is This Process So Important?

Here’s the deal: you can have the best plan in the world, but if you don’t actually execute that plan effectively, your project is going nowhere.

Direct and Manage Project Work ensures your team is doing the right things, at the right time, in the right way. It’s where you adapt, problem-solve, and keep things moving forward, even when the unexpected pops up—which, let’s be real, it always does.

 Alright, let’s recap:

●      Integration Management is the glue that holds your project together, ensuring all the moving pieces work in harmony.

●      Direct and Manage Project Work is where you execute the tasks in your plan and produce your deliverables.

●      You need inputs like your project plan, tools like expert judgment and PMIS, and you’ll produce outputs like deliverables, work performance data, and change requests.

Remember, this process is all about turning plans into action. It’s where project managers like you get to shine by keeping everything on track and adapting to challenges.

Host:
That’s it for today’s episode of PMP in a Snap! If you enjoyed this, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow project managers.

Got questions or topics you’d like me to cover next? Hit me up—I love hearing from you. Until next time, keep studying for the PMP exam with confidence. See you soon!