2. Understand project lifecycles

Question 1

2.1 Differentiate

Answer 1

between linear, iterative and hybrid life cycles

Linear life cycle - A life cycle that aims to complete a project within a single pass through a set of distinct phases that are completed serially and span from the development of the initial concept to the deployment of an ultimate output, outcome or benefits. See Waterfall method.

Iterative life cycle - A life cycle that repeats one or more of the phases of a project or programme before proceeding to the next one with the objective of managing uncertainty of scope by allowing objectives to evolve as learning and discovery takes place.

Timebox A generic term used in iterative life cycle approaches to refer to an iteration with a fixed end date that is not allowed to change, thereby adjusting the scope and quality to deliver on time and to cost.

Hybrid life cycle A pragmatic approach to achieving beneficial change that combines a linear life cycle for some phases or activities with an iterative life cycle for others.

Linear
- Concept - (Linear Project and Hybrid)
- Definition - (Linear Project (In hybrid goes Iterative - where scope is reviewed at the end of each iteration))
- Deployment - (Linear Project (In hybrid delivered in tranches))
- Transition/Handover - (Linear Project)
- Adoption (Extended and Product LC)
- Benefits Realisation (Extended and Product LC)
- Operation (Product LC)
- Termination (Product (LC)

Question 2

2.2 Explain

Answer 2

why projects are structured as phases in a linear life cycle

Phase The major subdivision of a life cycle.

Phase reviews A review that takes place at the end of a life cycle phase. See Gate review.

• improved planning of work - broken down into packages/stages - more visible
• priorities identified more clearly
• risk management
• estimating accuracy
• performance management
• continual improvement
• improved control
• more effective stakeholder comms

Question 3

2.3 Differentiate

Answer 3

between a project lifecycle and an extended life cycle

Product life cycle A life cycle approach that adds operation and termination phases to a linear life cycle to reflect the whole life of an asset. Enabling a full asset life cycle perspective encourages engagement with long-term future implications of project-related actions.

Extended life cycle A life cycle approach that adds an adoption phase to a linear or iterative life cycle with the purpose of ensuring the accountability and governance of the investment stays with the change teams until change is fully embedded. It provides the missing connection to benefit realisation in a linear life cycle and facilitates cooperation and knowledge sharing between change and business-as-usual teams.

Question 4

2.4 Outline

Answer 4

the role of knowledge and information management to inform decision making

ADD VALUE:
- anticipate, understand and respond to changing conditions
- avoid repeating mistakes
- generate options and solutions
- support decision making
- enable benefit realisation
- improved project performance
- improved motivation

ACTIVITIES
- document and distribute project reviews
- facilitated workshops on e.g. risk, scope, quality performance
- in-house knowledge portals - online discussions, blogs, technical Q&As
- special interest groups
- lunch and learn - experience and knowledge from guest speakers

Knowledge management The holistic, cross-functional discipline and set of practices concerned with the way organisations create and use knowledge to improve outcomes.

Information management The collection, storage, curation, dissemination, archiving and destruction of documents, images, drawings and others sources of information.

Decision making

Question 5

2.5 Explain

Answer 5

the benefits of conducting reviews throughout the project lifecycle (including decision gates, benefits reviews and audits)

Decision gate A point in the life cycle between phases that is used to review and confirm viabilityof the work in line with the business case. Alternatively called stage gates or gates.

Benefits realisation review A review undertaken after a period of operations of the project deliverables. It is intended to establish that project benefits have been or are being realised.

Audit A means to provide assurance that enables the sponsor to have confidence that the governance is working and that the project is being managed as intended.

Assurance The process of providing confidence to stakeholders that projects, programmes and portfolios will achieve their objectives for beneficial change.

Question 6

2.6 Explain

Answer 6

why projects may close early

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Closeout The process of finalising all project matters, carrying out final project reviews, archiving project information and redeploying the remaining project team. See Handover.

Closure The formal end point of a project, programme or portfolio; either because planned work has been completed or because it has been terminated early.

• circumstances change and projects are not able to achieve their planned objectives and are no longer viable
• business case no longer viable - in the governance process use of decision gates ensures that investment does not continue
• sponsors of projects, programmes, portfolios are responsible for developing governance approaches to help decision to close early.
• project viewed in context of overall change and benefits sought.
• early project closure should be seen as a positive decision not a failure - opportunity for better utilisation of resources, future learning, redirection of funds
• concept of ‘failing fast’ built into planning and decision-making process - e.g. drug development
• more information is known, not wrong to start something when unknown - is wrong to continue when evidence that sufficient value will not be created to justify level of financial investment.