TOPIC 3: PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
Sub-Topics
1. Meaning of Project Life Cycle
2. Stages of Project Life Cycle
MEANING OF PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
A project life cycle is the sequence of phases that a project goes through from its initiation to its closure. In an adaptive life cycle, the product is developed over multiple iterations, and detailed scope is defined for iteration only as the iteration begins.
STAGES OF PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
Phase 1: Project Initiation
This is the start of the project, and the goal of this phase is to define the project at a broad level. This phase usually begins with a business case. This is when you will research whether the project is feasible and if it should be undertaken. If feasibility testing needs to be done, this is the stage of the project in which that will be completed. Important stakeholders will do their due diligence to help decide if the project is a “go.” If it is given the green light, you will need to create a Project Charter or a project Initiation Document (PID) that outlines the purpose and requirements of the project. It should include business needs, stakeholders, and the business case.
The activities in initiation are:
Project conception
At this stage an idea regarding a required intervention in a specific area to address and identify problems is formed or developed through discussion with specialized leaders, peers and is catalyzed into a proposal.
The projects can therefore be conceived based on market demands, resource availability, technology, natural calamities. Project Identification
This stage refers to the process where all potential projects arising from ideas crystalize in the first stage are determined
An individual or an organisation capable of identifying the most viable projects can be engaged in order to support , to realize the expectation of the idea holder
The idea holder can submit the information in form of a proposal
This proposal is usually general and descriptive
A feasibility test is conducted
Project preparation
This stage involves a more thorough exercise of collecting data and information of the proposed project.
At this stage of the cycle the objective of the project is defined and alternative solutions described
The project preparation contains the design of operational proposal which is technically, financially, and economically visible.
The decision is made on the scope of the project as well as the location and size.
Project Appraisal
It involves a further analysis of the proposed project
At this stage a critical review of the project is undertaken
This systematic and comprehensive review is usually undertaken by an independent team of experts in consultation with the stakeholders of the project
This provides an opportunity to re-examine every aspect of the project plan to assess whether the proposal is justified before realizing money
The approach may change the project plan to a new one
Project Selection
After appraisal a viable or suitable proposal is chosen for implementation
Various project selection models both numeric and non-numeric are employed in project selection
The criteria for selection is pre-determined
Project Negotiation and Financing
Once the project to be implemented is agreed on, resources are mobilized
For donor funded projects discussions are held on funding and associated aspects of funding such as conditionality for grants, repayment periods and interest rates if loans are borrowed.
They must also discuss the flow of funds, contributions from stake holders and beneficiaries and if there is any co-financing
This results in an agreement document of the project that binds all parties involved during the implementation of a project
(PAD-Project Appraisal Document , POM- Project Operational Manual )
Phase 2: Project Planning
This phase is key to successful project management and focuses on developing a roadmap that everyone will follow. This phase typically begins with setting goals. Two of S.M.A.R.T. Goals – This method helps ensure that the goals have been thoroughly vetted. It also provides a way to clearly understand the implications of the goal-setting process.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Specific – To set specific goals, answer the following questions: who, what, where, when, which, and why.
Measurable – Create criteria that you can use to measure the success of a goal.
Attainable – Identify the most important goals and what it will take to achieve them.
Realistic – You should be willing and able to work toward a particular goal.
Timely – Create a timeframe to achieve the goal.
C.L.E.A.R. Goals – A newer method for setting goals that takes into consideration the environment of today’s fast-paced businesses.
Collaborative – The goal should encourage employees to work together.
Limited – They should be limited in scope and time to keep it manageable.
Emotional – Goals should tap into the passion of employees and be something they can
form an emotional connection to. This can optimize the quality of work.
Appreciable – Break larger goals into smaller tasks that can be quickly achieved.
Refinable – As new situations arise, be flexible and refine goals as needed.
During this phase, the Scope of the Project is defined and a Project Management Plan is developed. It involves identifying the cost, quality, available resources, and a realistic timetable. The project plans also includes establishing baselines or performance measures. These are generated using the scope, schedule and cost of a project. A Baseline is essential to determine if a project is on track.
At this time, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, so everyone involved knows what they are accountable for. Here are some of the documents a PM will create during this phase to ensure the project will stay on track:
Scope Statement – A document that clearly defines the business need, benefits of the project, objectives, deliverables, and key milestones. A scope statementmmay change during the project, but it shouldn’t be done without the approval ofmthe project manager and the sponsor.
Work Breakdown Schedule (WBS) –This is a visual representation that breaks down the scope of the project into manageable sections for the team.
Milestones – Identify high-level goals that need to be met throughout the project and include them in the Gantt chart.
Gantt Chart – A visual timeline that you can use to plan out tasks and visualize your project timeline.
Communication Plan – This is of particular importance if your projectinvolves outside stakeholders. Develop the proper messaging around the project and create a schedule of when to communicate with team members based on deliverables and milestones.
Risk Management Plan – Identify all foreseeable risks. Common risks include unrealistic time and cost estimates, customer review cycle, budget cuts, changing requirements, and lack of committed resources.
Phase 3: Project Execution
This is the phase where deliverables are developed and completed. This often feels like the meat of the project since a lot is happening during this time, like status reports and meetings, development updates, and performance reports. A “kick-off” meeting usually marks the start of the Project Execution phase where the teams involved are informed of their responsibilities.
Tasks completed during the Execution Phase include:
a. Develop team
b. Assign resources
c. Execute project management plans
d. Procurement management if needed
e. PM directs and manages project execution
f. Set up tracking systems
g. Task assignments are executed
h. Status meetings
i. Update project schedule
j. Modify project plans as needed
Phase 4: Project Performance/Monitoring
This is all about measuring project progression and performance and ensuring that everything happening aligns with the project management plan. Project managers will use key performance indicators (KPIs) to determine if the project is on track. A PM will typically pick two to five of these KPIs to measure project performance:
Project Objectives: Measuring if a project is on schedule and budget is an indication if the project will meet stakeholder objectives.
Quality Deliverables: This determines if specific task deliverables are being met.
Effort and Cost Tracking: PMs will account for the effort and cost of resources to see if the budget is on track. This type of tracking informs if a project will meet its completion date based on current performance.
Project Performance: This monitors changes in the project. It takes into consideration the amount and types of issues that arise and how quickly they are addressed. These can occur from unforeseen hurdles and scope changes. During this time, PMs may need to adjust schedules and resources to ensure the project is on track
Phase 5: Project Closure
This phase represents the completed project. Contractors hired to work specifically on the project are terminated at this time. Valuable team members are recognized. Some PMs even organize small work events for people who participated in the project to thank them for their efforts. Once a project is complete, a PM will often hold a meeting
– sometimes referred to as a “post mortem” – to evaluate what went well in a project and identify project failures. This is especially helpful to understand lessons learned so that improvements can be made for future projects. Once the project is complete, PMs still have a few tasks to complete. They will need to create a project punch list of things that didn’t get accomplished during the project and work with team members to complete them. Perform a final project budget and prepare a final project report. Finally, they will need to collect all project documents and deliverables and store them in a single place.
