---
title: "Define project integration management"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:define-integration-management"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/define-integration-management
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define project integration management

ICT Project Management · Chapter 7: Project Integration Management

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [Project Integration Management Steps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8_h9zB0GLM) — Project Management
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/define-integration-management
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-7

## Question

Define project integration management.

## Short answer

Project integration management identifies, combines and coordinates all project processes and activities, ensuring that trade-offs among scope, time, cost and quality are managed. Key processes include developing the charter and plan, directing work, monitoring, integrated change control, and closing.

## Answer

**Project integration management** is the knowledge area that identifies, defines, combines, unifies and coordinates the various processes and project management activities within the process groups (PMBOK). It ensures that all elements of the project are properly coordinated, trade-offs are made between competing objectives (scope, time, cost, quality) and the project meets stakeholder expectations. It is the integrating area that ties together all other knowledge areas.

#### Why it is needed
Decisions in one area affect others. For instance, adding a scope item changes schedule, cost, risk and quality. Integration management looks at the project as a whole.

#### Processes (PMBOK 5th edition)
1. **Develop project charter** (Initiating): authorise the project.
2. **Develop project management plan** (Planning): combine all subsidiary plans into one.
3. **Direct and manage project work** (Executing): perform the work.
4. **Monitor and control project work** (M&C): track and report progress.
5. **Perform integrated change control** (M&C): review and approve all changes.
6. **Close project or phase** (Closing): finalise all activities.

```text
Charter -> PM Plan -> Direct & Manage
                          |
          Change control <-> Monitor & Control
                          |
                        Close
```

#### Key outputs
Charter, project management plan, deliverables, work performance reports, approved change requests, final product and updated organisational process assets.

#### Role of the project manager
The project manager is responsible for integration, balancing competing demands and making decisions in the interest of the whole project, which cannot be delegated to others.

**Example:** If a client requests a new report in a billing system, integration management evaluates its impact on schedule, cost and risk through the change control board before approval.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does integration management do?
   A. Only schedules tasks
   B. Only manages cost
   C. Only tests software
   D. Identifies, combines, unifies and coordinates processes and activities across the project
   Answer: D. It ties all other knowledge areas together. (Key point: Definition)

2. Why is integration management needed?
   A. Areas are independent
   B. To avoid planning
   C. Decisions in one area affect others, so trade-offs are balanced
   D. To remove scope
   Answer: C. E.g. adding scope changes schedule, cost, risk and quality. (Key point: Why needed)

3. Which process reviews and approves all changes?
   A. Develop project charter
   B. Perform integrated change control
   C. Direct and manage work
   D. Close project or phase
   Answer: B. It is in Monitoring and controlling. (Key point: Change control)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Project management information system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apmis) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [Project management knowledge areas](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-knowledge-areas) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [General management skills and project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Ageneral-management-skill) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2
- [Project portfolio management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aportfolio-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 3
- [Define project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-project-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

- [Function of project management in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acpm-function-nepal) — Construction Management, chapter 1
- [Types of projects; effect of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-types-effect-of-management) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project vs traditional management; external environment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-vs-traditional-mgmt-external-env) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project management and its functions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-management-and-functions) — Project Engineering, chapter 1