What Practice Area includes planning for the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work?

The Practice Area that includes planning for the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work is indeed focused on planning. This aspect emphasizes the importance of understanding what competencies and expertise are required in order to successfully complete tasks and achieve project objectives. It highlights the necessity for organizations to deliberate on the skills their teams need, which directly impacts the quality and efficiency of their outputs.

In the context of Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), effective planning is crucial because it lays the foundation for successful project execution and resource allocation. This involves identifying training needs, ensuring that team members possess the requisite knowledge, and addressing any gaps through targeted development efforts.

The other choices relate to different aspects of project management. Estimating deals primarily with predicting costs, time, and resources required for completing tasks. Implementation infrastructure focuses on the systems and processes that support the execution of work. Process management refers to the overall oversight and improvement of workflows within an organization, which is broader than simply planning for skills. Each of these areas plays a role in project success, but planning is specifically concerned with preparing for the required knowledge and skills.