Life Cycle Options and Choices

Question 1

What are the four life cycle philosophies?

Answer 1

Linear
Incremental
Iterative
Evolutionary

Question 2

What are four typical phases of a linear life cycle?

Answer 2

Concept
Definition
Deployment
Transition

Question 3

What are the advantages of a linear life cycle?

Answer 3

Highly structured, predictable and stable
Transparent format
Works well for the deployment of well understood and clearly defined outputs

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of a linear life cycle?

Answer 4

Assumes the availability of relatively perfect knowledge upfront

Resistant to change and inflexible for corrections and rework

Implies a long sequence, culminating in the ultimate handover

Question 5

Describe an iterative life cycle.

Answer 5

Composed of several iterations allowing the deployment of initial capability, followed by successive deliveries of further value.

Question 6

What is vital for iterative cycles to proceed?

Answer 6

User feedback - Required for initiating new cycles of development, refinement and improvement.

Question 7

What are the two additional phases that make up an extended life cycle?

Answer 7

Adoption
Benefits Realisation

Question 8

Describe adoption?

Answer 8

Operations and sustainment required to utilise the new project and enable the acceptance and use of the benefits

Question 9

Describe benefits realisation

Answer 9

Realisation of the required business benefits. Set out and considered in the in the project scope.

Question 10

What additional stages make up the “Product Life Cycle”

Answer 10

Operation
Termination

Question 11

Describe what is required for “Operation”

Answer 11

Ensuring the availability and continuing support and maintenance of project deliverables and potential outcomes/benefits

Question 12

Describe what is required for “Termination”

Answer 12

Decommissioning and disposal at the end of the products useful life

Question 13

What are three levels of governance?

Answer 13

Corporate - Vision, mission, strategy

Business as usual - Operations

Business change - Projects, programmes, portfolios

Question 14

How can governance roles be clearly defined?

Answer 14

The use of a “Responsibility Assignement Matrix”

Clarifies who is accountable and responsible

Those who need to be consulted and those to be informed during a decision making process

Question 15

What are the three areas that make up the “three lines of defence” in governance?

Answer 15

Project Controls = Application of aManagement system, policies, procedures

Compliance = Management assurance, comprising monitoring, checks and audits

Independent Review - Internal/external audit, independent peers, external scrutiny

Question 16

What is the role of the project sponsor?

Answer 16

The person accountable for ensuring that the work is governed effectively and delivers the objectives to meet the identified needs

Question 17

List 4 roles of the sponsor

Answer 17

Links project to corporate strategy

Owns the vision and business case

Accountable for benefits

Reflects the corporate risk appetite

Question 18

What makes a successful sponsor?

Answer 18

Leader/decision-maker able to work across corporate/functional boundaries

Credible influencer of stakeholders with delegated authority of the organisation

Prepared to commit time

An enthusiastic advocate of the work

Question 19

What five areas should a business case consider?

Answer 19

Strategic context
Economic context
Commerical approach
Financial case
Management approach

Question 20

Who is accountable for the business case through the life cycle?

Answer 20

Project sponsor

Advantages to active involvment of the Project/Programme/Portfolio manager