MindManager for Windows is a mind mapping software widely used for brainstorming, knowledge management, project management and strategic decision-making. MindManager makes it easier to think, plan and communicate as a tool that transforms original ideas, strategic thinking, and business information into a blueprint for action.

This paper mainly introduces the project management process of 5 stages, project initiation, project planning, project execution, project detection and project closure. If you have any suggestions or tips, please leave them in the comments section below and we will deal with them in time.




In the last article we covered the basics of project management, such as what it is, how it works, and the role of the project manager. To expand on the previous article, this article discusses the five phases of project management.

Project management can be roughly defined as “applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a wide range of activities to meet the requirements of a particular project”. In fact, project management should be a repeatable and predictable process. It is important to have a clear written project management process that covers the five phases of the project life cycle:

  1. Project start
  2. The project plan
  3. Project implementation
  4. Test project
  5. End of the project

Project start

The first stage of the project management process is also the most critical stage. At this stage, the project manager and key stakeholders must take an honest look at the proposed project to determine its value, feasibility and benefits to the company. Be clear about why you are doing this in the first place. Some of the key project parameters in the first phase of the project management process include:

  • Reasons for project implementation
  • Feasibility of the project
  • Project objectives, schedule, costs, resources, etc
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Project introduction

This phase of the project management process also provides your team with compelling background information of value. They will know exactly what the goals are and why they are involved in the project from the beginning, which in turn helps to increase team engagement and a sense of ownership of the project.

Project planning

The second phase of the project management process is to establish a project plan, allocate resources, commit schedules, and build teams. Project managers should work with their teams and key stakeholders to detail every detail of the project plan from start to finish and that plan will drive project execution. While this phase may vary depending on the size of the business and company, in general some of the key deliverables to consider in phase 2 include:

  • Project charter: includes scope of work, man-hour estimation and work breakdown structure, team roles and responsibilities, project milestones, approval process, and communication plan.
  • Success Metrics: Select KPIs that make sense for your project and establish goals your team can work towards.
  • Risk management plan: Outline all factors that may delay the project or as many risk management plans as possible. Identify risks, provide detailed information about them, and provide contingency plans to know what to do if they occur.
  • Identify decision makers: Identify early so that project results can be signed off upon completion.

Project implementation

This stage of the project management process is when the actual work is done. Since the project manager at this stage will rely on the expertise of his team members to execute the plan, their role is usually to guide the team through each assigned task. It’s like the rudder and the sail. In this phase the project manager is responsible for the following project variables:

  • Budget: Calculate whether the budget is sufficient to complete the project?
  • Schedule: Does the team process meet the schedule?
  • Resources: Does the project have sufficient resources to complete the project on schedule?
  • Risk: Do any identified risks occur? How to deal with it? Does it affect the schedule?
  • Internal audit and communication: How does the team work? Are you confident to execute on schedule?
  • Meetings: Hold regular meetings to resolve issues, share updates and stay engaged.

Project monitoring

Phase 4 of the project management process is usually performed in conjunction with Phase 3. This involves actually monitoring and reporting on project-related KPIs, budgets, resources, and timelines and communicating them to stakeholders.

Project managers can use a variety of tools to accurately monitor their project variables. MindManager, for example, allows PMS and their teams to track task completion, task dependencies, and resource allocation in a single dashboard. The Gantt and Kanban views in MindManager are also a good way to visualize the overall project timeline and critical path to success.

End of the project

After successfully completing phases 3 and 4, you can proceed to the final step of closing the project. This includes closing tasks in the PM platform, delivering project deliverables to stakeholders, finalizing your KPI reports and debriefing meetings with your team.

The debrief at the end of each project is often overlooked, but it is probably one of the most valuable practices in the entire project management process. Having a casual and honest conversation with your team about what worked, what didn’t work, and what could be done better is valuable to guide your PM processes in the future.