Project life cycles Flashcards
What are the four phases in a linear project life cycle?
- Concept phase
- Definition phase
- Deployment phase
- Transition phase
a) Handover
b) Acceptance
c) Closure
Give two differences between a PM and a project sponsor throughout a project life cycle
- In concept phase the sponsor is responsible for defining requirements and benefits for the business case (the PM might support)
- In the definition phase the PMP is written by the PM, and will be overseen by the sponsor for sign off.
- In development the PM is responsible for the day to day running of the project, overseen by the sponsor. The sponsor will sign off each stage if satisfactory.
- In handover the sponsor will need to liaise with users to attain sign off/acceptance
- The sponsor will then be accountable for realising the benefits after a successful handover and acceptance
What steps are involved in creating a responsibility assignment matrix
- Creating an Organisational Breakdown Structure
- Creating a Work Breakdown Structure
- Combining them and assigning work packages to individuals to make them responsible for that WP.
- May also decide at this stage who is also; accountable, can be consulted, should be informed, is supporting.
When might an iterative life cycle be more appropriate than a linear life cycle?
- When you want to involve users more regularly for their input
- When the objectives aren’t clear at the start, but can be understood gradually through the life of the project
- When users require an operational product relatively soon
- When there are high level so change that are likely to affect the project
What are the risks of using an iterative life cycle
- The level of ‘unknowns’ (in terms of time/cost/quality) can make it difficult to manage
- Scope is defined at start leaving possibility of scope creep beyond what budget/resource allows
- Risks cannot be fully determined
What two phases are included in the extended project life cycle
- Adoption
2. Benefits realisation
In what phase of a project lift cycle would the need, opportunity or problem be identified?
The concept phase
The finalising of the business case occurs in what phase of the PLC?
The definition phase
The creation of a PMP and its constituent parts happen in what phase of a PLC?
The definition phase
What happens in the Handover and Acceptance stage of Transition?
- Products are commissioned into operational use
- Operational procedures are created for the operational and support teams
- Users and/or sponsor agree that acceptance criteria are met
- Formal ownership of product is transferred to the users. PM ensures everything is in place for product to be successfully operated
What happens in the Closure stage of Transition?
- Ensure users understand how to operate the products and obtain expected benefits
- Archive project docs and reconcile any timesheets and resources
- Dispose of any not-required assets
- Take part in lessons learned activities
What are some disadvantages of a linear PLC?
- Assumes that ‘perfect’ knowledge is available upfront
- Resistant to change
- Dividing knowledge into distinct phases can create knowledge barriers
What are the five phases of an iterative life cycle?
- Pre-project
- Feasibility and foundation
- Evolutionary development
- Deployment
- Post-project
The pre project phase of an iterative life cycle looks to develop a h___ l___ v___. The details are uncovered in the cycles of iteration.
High level vision
What are some benefits of using an iterative life cycle?
- Errors can be picked up more often
- More responsive and flexible to change
- More opportunities for user approval
- An operational product is delivered sooner
