As a project manager, you’re most likely familiar with the five project phases outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMI, 2013): initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. However, do you know the 47 project management “processes” that these five phases encompass? How do you know you’ve moved from one project phase to the next?

I’d like to sharpen up your knowledge on the distinction between the project phases using the metaphor of “rites of passage.” Just like the seasons, project phases follow a life cycle marked by certain activities (like spring cleaning) that indicate you’ve entered the next phase. By knowing the “rites of passage” into each new project phase, you’ll be better equipped to keep track of which processes belong in each project phase and, ultimately, better manage your projects.

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