Within the Executing Process Group, which of the following sets includes processes that are primarily performed during project execution?

Introduction / Context:
The Executing Process Group is where the project manager and team implement the plans and perform the work to satisfy project requirements. This group consumes the majority of project resources and time. Understanding which processes belong to Executing helps you visualize when particular activities occur and what the project manager focuses on during execution. This question asks you to identify the set of processes that are primarily associated with execution rather than planning, monitoring or closing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The PMBOK Guide groups processes into Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.
• Each option lists processes with formal PMBOK style names.
• Only one option contains processes that are all part of the Executing Process Group.
• You should be familiar with the basic purpose of each process.

Concept / Approach:
Executing processes focus on carrying out the work defined in the project management plan, managing people, ensuring quality and performing procurement and communications activities. Direct and Manage Project Execution is the central execution process that leads the team in performing work and implementing approved changes. Perform Quality Assurance is an executing process that audits quality requirements and process performance. Acquire Project Team is an executing process where the project manager obtains the human resources needed to complete the project. By contrast, Define Scope, Create WBS and Sequence Activities belong to Planning, while Monitor and Control Project Work, Perform Integrated Change Control and Validate Scope belong to Monitoring and Controlling. Develop Project Charter, Close Project or Phase and Identify Stakeholders are part of Initiating and Closing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider option A. Direct and Manage Project Execution, Perform Quality Assurance and Acquire Project Team are all known Executing processes in the Integration, Quality and Human Resource Management knowledge areas.Step 2: Review option B. Define Scope and Create WBS belong to Scope Management planning, and Sequence Activities belongs to Time Management planning.Step 3: Review option C. Monitor and Control Project Work, Perform Integrated Change Control and Validate Scope are all monitoring and controlling processes.Step 4: Review option D. Develop Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders are initiating processes, and Close Project or Phase is a closing process.Step 5: Since only option A contains processes that all come from the Executing Process Group, option A is correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use a PMBOK process matrix and locate each process by process group. You will see option A entries under Executing, while the other options appear under Planning, Monitoring and Controlling, or Closing. You can also think intuitively: executing processes involve doing the work, assuring quality during performance and assembling the team. This aligns with the roles described for option A and confirms its correctness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B focuses entirely on building the plan and structure of the work, which is a planning activity. Option C involves overseeing and adjusting work, which is monitoring and controlling rather than executing. Option D includes initiation and closure activities that bracket the project life cycle but are not part of the day to day execution of work.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to assume that any process that involves action is executing, even if its primary purpose is analysis or control. For example, Validate Scope involves reviewing deliverables for acceptance and belongs to Monitoring and Controlling. Another common error is to mix up the roles of quality planning, quality assurance and quality control across different groups. Carefully memorizing which processes live in each group will reduce confusion in these classification questions.

Final Answer:
The set that consists of executing processes is Direct and Manage Project Execution, Perform Quality Assurance, Acquire Project Team.