According to PMI PMBOK, what is the appropriate sequence of processes in project management?

• A. Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, completion
• B. Planning, initiation, completion, monitoring and controlling, execution
• C. Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, completion
• D. Initiation, planning, completion, monitoring and controlling, execution

Answer: (C)

The sequence is built around five process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing. You start by authorizing the project or phase, then you plan how you’ll achieve the objectives, then you perform the work to deliver the project’s outputs, you continually track progress and adjust as needed, and finally you formally close the project or phase and capture lessons learned. This order ends with Closing, which is the formal conclusion of the work.

So the best option places Initiation first, then Planning, then Execution, then Monitoring and Controlling, and ends with Closing. Other sequences either shift or replace the final phase or disrupt the logical flow of planning, performing the work, and then formally closing.