• ES Español (Latinoamérica)
• EN English

5.5. Planning (PL)

This performance domain covers the activities and functions associated with the initial, ongoing, and evolving organization and coordination necessary for delivering project outcomes. PMBoK 7th edition treats planning as an ongoing activity adapted to the development approach, not a one-time upfront exercise.

Knowledge Area (KA)	Core Tier1	Core Tier2
5.5.1 Planning Principles	1	1
5.5.2 Scope and Requirements Planning	1	1
5.5.3 Schedule Planning	1	1
5.5.4 Cost and Budget Planning	1	1
5.5.5 Resource Planning	Elective
5.5.6 Quality Planning	Elective
5.5.7 Risk and Uncertainty Planning	Elective
5.5.8 Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Planning	Elective
5.5.9 Procurement Planning	Elective
5.5.10 Integrated Project Planning	Elective

5.5.1. PL/Planning Principles  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Foundational principles for planning in PMBoK 7th edition: planning is iterative, just-enough, and adapted to the development approach and uncertainty level.
Topics:
Core

• Planning as an ongoing and iterative activity throughout the project life cycle
• Just-enough planning: balancing detail with flexibility based on uncertainty
• Relationship between planning depth and the selected development approach
• Adaptive planning: rolling wave, progressive elaboration, and iterative refinement

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Describe the principles of iterative and just-enough planning in PMBoK 7th edition [Familiarity]
2. Apply adaptive planning principles to a project with high uncertainty and evolving requirements [Assessment]
3. Evaluate whether a project's planning approach provides sufficient detail and flexibility for its uncertainty level [Assessment]

5.5.2. PL/Scope and Requirements Planning  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Defining and planning the scope of the project and product, including requirements elicitation, documentation, and traceability across all development approaches.
Topics:
Core

• Requirements elicitation techniques across predictive and adaptive approaches
• Scope definition: project scope statement vs. product backlog depending on approach
• Requirements traceability: linking requirements to outcomes across all approaches
• Scope decomposition: WBS for predictive, backlog structuring for adaptive

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Define project and product scope using techniques appropriate to the selected development approach [Usage]
2. Compare scope planning approaches in predictive and adaptive development contexts [Assessment]
3. Design a requirements traceability approach ensuring all deliverables are linked to stated stakeholder needs [Assessment]

5.5.3. PL/Schedule Planning  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Estimating, sequencing, and scheduling project activities. Covers both traditional scheduling (CPM, Gantt) and adaptive scheduling (sprint planning, release planning).
Topics:
Core

• Activity estimation techniques: analogous, parametric, three-point, and story points
• Schedule development: critical path for predictive, sprint and release planning for adaptive
• Building schedule flexibility: buffers, contingency, and iteration capacity
• Schedule baseline in predictive vs. release roadmap in adaptive: comparison and use

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop a project schedule appropriate to the selected development approach [Usage]
2. Compare scheduling practices in predictive and adaptive project environments [Assessment]
3. Evaluate a project schedule for realism, buffer adequacy, and alignment with scope and resource constraints [Assessment]

5.5.4. PL/Cost and Budget Planning  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Estimating costs and establishing the project budget. Covers cost estimation techniques, budget structures, and contingency across development approaches.
Topics:
Core

• Cost estimation techniques: analogous, parametric, bottom-up, and three-point
• Budget structure: cost baseline, contingency reserves, and management reserves
• Cost planning in adaptive environments: fixed-capacity budgeting and cost per iteration
• Establishing and maintaining the cost performance baseline and managing reserve drawdown

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Estimate project costs and develop a budget using appropriate techniques [Usage]
2. Adapt cost planning practices for adaptive and hybrid project environments [Assessment]
3. Evaluate the adequacy of a project budget including contingency and management reserves [Assessment]

5.5.5. PL/Resource Planning ↑ Back to top

Identifying, estimating, and planning for the human and physical resources needed to deliver project outcomes.
Topics:
Core

• Identifying required roles, skills, and physical resources for project delivery
• Resource estimation: effort estimation, capacity planning, and resource calendars
• Managing resource constraints: availability gaps, skill shortages, and procurement needs
• Resource leveling and smoothing: optimizing resource allocation across the project schedule

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop a resource plan identifying required roles, skills, and quantities for project delivery [Usage]
2. Identify and resolve resource constraint issues in a project plan [Assessment]
3. Optimize resource allocation across the project schedule using leveling and smoothing techniques [Assessment]

5.5.6. PL/Quality Planning ↑ Back to top

Defining quality standards, metrics, and approaches for ensuring that project deliverables meet stakeholder expectations across all development approaches.
Topics:
Core

• Selecting applicable quality standards and metrics for the project and product
• Quality approach: testing strategy, definition of done, and acceptance criteria
• Quality planning in adaptive environments: continuous testing, automated QA, and done criteria
• Cost of conformance vs. cost of non-conformance: planning the right investment in quality

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Define quality standards and acceptance criteria for a project's deliverables [Usage]
2. Design a quality approach appropriate for an adaptive or hybrid project environment [Assessment]
3. Evaluate the trade-off between quality investment and the risk of non-conformance in a project context [Assessment]

5.5.7. PL/Risk and Uncertainty Planning ↑ Back to top

Planning for risks and uncertainty as an integral part of the overall project plan. Covers risk identification, response planning, and uncertainty management across development approaches.
Topics:
Core

• Risk planning process: identification, qualitative assessment, response planning, and monitoring
• Planning for uncertainty: contingency reserves, timeboxes, and spike solutions
• Risk planning in adaptive environments: risk-adjusted backlog prioritization and iterative risk review
• Maintaining and updating the risk register throughout the project life cycle

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop a risk management plan with identified risks and planned responses [Usage]
2. Adapt risk planning practices for adaptive project environments [Assessment]
3. Evaluate the comprehensiveness and adequacy of a risk management plan for a given project context [Assessment]

5.5.8. PL/Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Planning ↑ Back to top

Planning how information will flow to and from stakeholders throughout the project. Integrates communications and stakeholder engagement into a coherent plan.
Topics:
Core

• Communications plan: information needs, methods, frequency, and responsible parties
• Integrating stakeholder engagement strategies with the communications plan
• Information radiators and visual management tools for transparent project communication
• Communication channel analysis: determining the right medium, frequency, and audience for each communication

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop an integrated communications and stakeholder engagement plan [Usage]
2. Implement information radiators and visual management practices for project transparency [Usage]
3. Design a communications plan that addresses the specific needs of diverse stakeholder groups across the project life cycle [Assessment]

5.5.9. PL/Procurement Planning ↑ Back to top

Planning for the acquisition of external products, services, or results. Covers make-or-buy decisions, contract type selection, and procurement strategy.
Topics:
Core

• Make-or-buy analysis: determining what to acquire externally and why
• Procurement strategy: contract types, vendor selection approach, and risk allocation
• Procurement considerations in adaptive projects: flexible contracts and vendor collaboration
• Vendor selection criteria: capability, cost, reliability, risk, and strategic fit

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop a procurement plan including make-or-buy analysis and contract type selection [Usage]
2. Adapt procurement planning practices for adaptive and hybrid development contexts [Assessment]
3. Evaluate vendor proposals against defined selection criteria to support procurement decision-making [Assessment]

5.5.10. PL/Integrated Project Planning ↑ Back to top

Bringing together all planning elements into a coherent, integrated project plan. Covers the relationship between plan components, baselines, and the project management plan as a living document.
Topics:
Core

• Integrating subsidiary plans into a coherent project management plan
• The project plan as a living document: ongoing updates and rebaselines
• Baseline management: establishing, maintaining, and updating project baselines
• Differences in integrated planning artifacts across predictive, adaptive, and hybrid approaches

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop an integrated project management plan combining all planning elements [Usage]
2. Compare integrated planning artifacts across predictive, adaptive, and hybrid approaches [Assessment]
3. Evaluate the internal consistency of an integrated project plan and identify gaps or conflicts among its subsidiary components [Assessment]