Ch2.4 Project Life Cycle

Question 1

PLC

Answer 1

Series of phases that a project passes through from initiation to its closure

Question 2

How can PLC phases be broken down

Answer 2

functional or partical objectives
intermediate results or deliverables
specific milestones
financial availability

Question 3

Different PLC approaches

Answer 3

Predictive, plan-driven

Adaptive, change-driven

Question 4

General PLC

Answer 4

Start project
Organize and prepare
Carry out project work
Close project

Question 5

The PLC is not

Answer 5

Project Management Process Groups (which can recur within each phase of the project)

Question 6

Project Phase

Answer 6

Collection of logically related project activities that culminates in the completion of one or more deliverables

Question 7

When are project phases used

Answer 7

When nature of work to be performed is unique to a portion of the project
Linked to development of a specific major deliverable

Question 8

What delineates project phases from each other

Answer 8

Distinct focuses (different organizations, locations, skill sets)
Achieving primary deliverable/objective of phase requires controls/processes unique to phase
Closure of phase ends with transfer/handoff

Question 9

Phase-to-phase relationships (2 types)

Answer 9

Sequential relationships

Overlapping relationships

Question 10

Sequential relationships

Answer 10

Phase starts only when previous phase completes

Question 11

Overlapping relationships

Answer 11

Phase starts prior to completion of previous one
Parallel work can be done
Allows for Schedule Compression
Can increase risk and result in rework due to inaccurate info

Question 12

Predictive Life Cycles

Answer 12

Fully Plan-driven

Where project scope, time, cost, determined early on in PLC as practically possible

Question 13

Rolling wave planning

Answer 13

A more general, high level plan is available and more detailed planning is executed for appropriate time windows, as new work activities are approaching and resources are to be assigned

Question 14

Iterative/incremental life cycles

Answer 14

Intentionally repeat one or more project activities as a project team’s understanding of the product increases

Question 15

Iterations

Answer 15

Develop product through a series of repeated cycles

Question 16

Increments

Answer 16

Successively add to the functionality of the product

Question 17

Do Iterative/incremental life cycles use phases

Answer 17

Yes, and the iterations can be in sequential or overlapping, all activities from PM Process groups will be performed.

Question 18

What will be delivered at end of each iteration?

Answer 18

Deliverables, enhanced deliverables until exit criteria met

Question 19

What is elaborated one iteration at a time

Answer 19

Detailed scope

Question 20

Why are iterative/incremental life cycles chosen

Answer 20

When an organization needs to manage changing objectives and scope
Needs to reduce complexity of a project
When partial delivery of a product is beneficial and provides value for stakeholders without impact to final deliverable

Question 21

Adaptive life cycle (aka change/agile)

Answer 21

Intended to respond to high levels of change and ongoing stakeholder involvement
2-4 week rapid iteration
fixed in time and cost

Question 22

Adaptive life cycle overall scope - how is it managed

Answer 22

Decomposed into requirements known as product backlog

Question 23

What happens at beginning of each iteration in Adaptive/Agile

Answer 23

Team determines what of highest priority items on backlog list can be delivered within the next iteration. At end, product should be ready for review; product should not have unfinished, incomplete, unusable features