Which of the following process groups occurs at the beginning of the project?

Executing is the process group where the project plan is carried out and deliverables are produced, occurring after planning - not at the beginning.

Planning follows Initiating and involves developing the detailed project management plan, so it is the second process group, not the first.

The Initiating process group is explicitly defined in the PMBOK Guide as the processes performed to define a new project or phase, obtain authorization to start it, and establish initial scope and resources. It is the first process group in the project life cycle, preceding all other groups. Key outputs include the project charter and identification of stakeholders, which set the foundation for all subsequent work.

Monitoring and Controlling runs throughout the project to track performance and implement changes, but it does not mark the beginning of a project.

Closing is the final process group that formally completes the project or phase and occurs at the end, not the beginning.