02: Why is Project Integration Management important?

In the previous lesson, I highlighted the” what” of project integration management. In this lesson I will highlight the purpose or “why” project integration management is important during the management and delivery of projects, with examples.

Project managers manage, monitor and measure projects to deliver a product, service or result to meet stakeholders needs, satisfy project objective while providing value to the organization. They utilize an integrated project management plan as the guide to execute the project and to communicate the project progress with key stakeholders. The project manager constantly updates the contents of the integrated project management plan during the planning, execution, monitoring and controlling and closing stages of the project delivery life cycle to make sure that the plan is followed and to update the contents of the project resources, as the project progresses. This day-to-day work of the project manager is what is normally referred to as integrated project management.  

 Every project follows a similar project management life cycle stage of initiation, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling and closing. Effective and successful project management requires a consistent, standardized, and integrated approach to project delivery, in accordance with PMI -Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)®. Project integration is performed at the process level, contents or knowledge area level and context or environmental level among the various stages of the project delivery life cycle. The level of details and integration for each stage depends on the development approach that the project manager applies and tailors the project to align with the business internal and external environments. 

 Here are some examples where project integration management are performed.  

For large complex construction and engineering projects, each of the stages may be very rigid with detailed deliverable specifications, whereas for large information technology projects, each of the stages may be agile with very frequent iterations of deliverables. The hybrid approach, which is a combination of rigid and agile approaches is used in most digital transformation or innovative construction projects. The more complex the project, and the more dynamic the expectations of the stakeholders, the more levels integration will be required at the process, contents, and context levels.