According to the PMBOK® Guide, specifically within the Monitor and Control Project Work process, the project manager is responsible for tracking, reviewing, and reporting the overall progress to meet the performance objectives defined in the project management plan.
Performance Reviews: These reviews compare actual performance against the performance measurement baseline (scope, schedule, and cost baselines). By conducting these periodically, the project manager can determine if the project is " on track " or if variances exist that require corrective or preventive actions.
Keeping the Plan Current: The project management plan is a " living document. " When performance reviews identify significant deviations, the project manager initiates Change Requests through the Perform Integrated Change Control process. Once approved, these changes are incorporated into the plan, ensuring it remains a realistic and effective guide for the remainder of the project.
Continuous Improvement: Periodic reviews allow the team to analyze trends (Trend Analysis) and forecast future performance (Variance Analysis), which are essential for proactive management and keeping the plan aligned with the project ' s evolving environment.
Comparison with other options:
B. Identify quality project standards: This is a specific activity within the Plan Quality Management process. While important for quality, it does not address the broader effectiveness or " currency " of the entire integrated project management plan.
C. Follow ISO 9000 quality standards: ISO 9000 is an external international standard for quality management systems. While an organization might adopt these, " following " them is a general compliance activity rather than a specific project management mechanism for updating and maintaining a project-specific plan.
D. Complete the quality control checklist: This is a tool used in the Control Quality process to verify that a set of required steps has been performed. It is a tactical task used for deliverables, not a strategic tool for ensuring the project management plan is effective and current.
