Ch2.4 Project Life Cycle Flashcards
PLC
Series of phases that a project passes through from initiation to its closure
How can PLC phases be broken down
functional or partical objectives
intermediate results or deliverables
specific milestones
financial availability
Different PLC approaches
Predictive, plan-driven
Adaptive, change-driven
General PLC
Start project
Organize and prepare
Carry out project work
Close project
The PLC is not
Project Management Process Groups (which can recur within each phase of the project)
Project Phase
Collection of logically related project activities that culminates in the completion of one or more deliverables
When are project phases used
When nature of work to be performed is unique to a portion of the project
Linked to development of a specific major deliverable
What delineates project phases from each other
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
Phase-to-phase relationships (2 types)
Sequential relationships
Overlapping relationships
Sequential relationships
Phase starts only when previous phase completes
Overlapping relationships
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
Predictive Life Cycles
Fully Plan-driven
Where project scope, time, cost, determined early on in PLC as practically possible
Rolling wave planning
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
Iterative/incremental life cycles
Intentionally repeat one or more project activities as a project team’s understanding of the product increases
Iterations
Develop product through a series of repeated cycles
Increments
Successively add to the functionality of the product
Do Iterative/incremental life cycles use phases
Yes, and the iterations can be in sequential or overlapping, all activities from PM Process groups will be performed.
What will be delivered at end of each iteration?
Deliverables, enhanced deliverables until exit criteria met
What is elaborated one iteration at a time
Detailed scope
Why are iterative/incremental life cycles chosen
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
Adaptive life cycle (aka change/agile)
Intended to respond to high levels of change and ongoing stakeholder involvement
2-4 week rapid iteration
fixed in time and cost
Adaptive life cycle overall scope - how is it managed
Decomposed into requirements known as product backlog
What happens at beginning of each iteration in Adaptive/Agile
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
