---
title: "Overlaps of process groups in a phase"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:process-group-overlaps"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/process-group-overlaps
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Overlaps of process groups in a phase

ICT Project Management · Chapter 6: Project Management Process Groups

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [IT Project Management Course | Chapter 3 | The 5 Process Groups & The "Alpha" Manager](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcGpzE60UK4) — TheSoftwareJourney
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/process-group-overlaps
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-6

## Question

Sketch the overlaps of process groups in a phase.

## Short answer

In a phase, the five process groups overlap as activity curves: initiating is high at the start, planning peaks early, executing in the middle, monitoring spans all, and closing rises near the end. Every phase goes through all groups; closing output feeds the next phase's initiating.

## Answer

The five process groups are not discrete, one-time events. They overlap and repeat inside every phase of the project life cycle. PMBOK shows this with the overlapping-process-group diagram: the groups form overlapping curves of activity over time within a phase.

#### Sketch
```text
Initiating  |=====|
Planning       |==========|
Executing          |==============|
Monitor&Ctrl |=======================|
Closing                        |=====|
            start ---- time ---- end
```

#### Explanation
- **Initiating** is highest at the start of the phase and falls quickly.
- **Planning** begins after initiating and continues; it peaks early and is revised throughout.
- **Executing** rises as plans are approved, peaks in the middle and falls as work ends.
- **Monitoring and controlling** begins early and runs for the entire phase, covering all groups.
- **Closing** rises near the end of the phase.
- The overlap means that planning is still in progress as execution starts, and control is being done while work happens.

#### Key points
- Each phase of the project life cycle (concept, development, implementation, close-out) goes through all five groups.
- The output of the closing group of one phase is the input to initiating of the next phase.
- Process groups are not the same as phases: phases divide the life cycle, while process groups divide the management processes.

**Example:** In the design phase of a software project, the team initiates (approves design work), plans (design schedule), executes (draws the design), controls (reviews) and closes (design sign-off).

## Check yourself

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

1. What does the overlap of process groups imply?
   A. Groups never overlap
   B. Planning may continue while execution starts, and control happens during work
   C. Execution finishes before planning starts
   D. Closing starts first
   Answer: B. Groups are not discrete one-time events. (Key point: Overlap)

2. How long does Monitoring and controlling run in a phase?
   A. For the entire phase
   B. Only at the end
   C. Only at the start
   D. Only during planning
   Answer: A. It begins early and covers all groups. (Key point: M&C duration)

3. What is the output of Closing of one phase?
   A. Input to Closing of the same phase
   B. Nothing
   C. The charter of the project
   D. Input to Initiating of the next phase
   Answer: D. Closing of one phase feeds Initiating of the next. (Key point: Phase transitions)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Project management process groups](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-process-groups) — ICT Project Management, chapter 6

## Related in other subjects

- [Process room 40 × 20 m twin 40 W fluorescent](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Findustrial_power_distribution_and_illumination%3Aprocess-room-40x20-fluorescent) — Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination, chapter 7, asked 2×
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