Project Management Knowledge Areas

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At SLH, we utilize the 10 knowledge areas of project management to manage projects holistically and ensure that all aspects of the project are being considered. This approach allows us to plan and execute projects in a way that maximizes efficiency and minimizes risk, leading to successful project outcomes and satisfied customers. 

Integration involves the coordination of all project activities to ensure that they are properly aligned with the project's overall objectives. This includes defining project deliverables, creating a project plan, and managing project changes to ensure that the project remains on track. 

The scope knowledge area involves defining, developing, and managing the project scope. This includes identifying project requirements, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) to break down the project into smaller, more manageable tasks, and controlling project scope changes. 

The time knowledge area focuses on managing the project schedule. This includes identifying project activities, sequencing those activities, estimating activity durations, and developing a project schedule. Project managers use scheduling techniques such as critical path method (CPM) and program evaluation and review technique (PERT) to ensure that the project is completed on time. 

Complete understanding of the project finances, this includes estimating project costs, developing a project budget, and monitoring project spending to ensure that the project is completed within budget. Project managers use techniques such as earned value management (EVM) to track project costs and ensure that the project stays on budget. 

The set-up of quality control and quality management activities for the project to ensure confidence that the result will meet the customers' expectations.  This includes developing a quality management plan, conducting quality control activities to ensure that project deliverables meet quality standards, and conducting quality assurance activities to ensure that project processes are followed. 

The procurement knowledge area involves managing the procurement process, from identifying what needs to be procured, to selecting suppliers, to managing supplier contracts. This includes developing a procurement plan, conducting procurement activities such as bidding and negotiation, and administering supplier contracts. 

Complete understanding of resources needed to complete the project and then the assembly of that team. Identifying project roles and responsibilities, acquiring project team members, developing a project team, and managing project team performance are prioritized.

The communications knowledge area involves developing a communications plan and managing project communications. This includes identifying project stakeholders, determining their communication needs, and developing a communications plan. Project managers also monitor project communications to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and engaged. 

Identifying risks and understanding how to assess risks on the project, including developing a risk management plan, identifying and assessing project risks, and developing risk response strategies to mitigate or eliminate those risks. 

Identifying stakeholders, understanding their role and needs in the project and ensuring delivery of the agreed-upon requirements as well as communicating with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to ensure their needs and expectations are met.