Project Life Cycles

Question 1

Explain a Linear life cycle

Answer 1

Linear requires detailed upfront planning, delivering each part of the project before moving onto the next. Good for predictable processes, but you don’t get a usable product until the end. This model is highly predictive.

Question 2

Explain an Incremental life cycle

Answer 2

Incremental is similar to Linear, but each step produces a usable product, so has the benefit of quick wins & gaining buy-in early on.

Question 3

Explain an Iterative life cycle

Answer 3

Iterative or Agile is where each step feeds information back into the project, so you can adapt future iterations & change your approach.

Question 4

Explain an Evolutionary life cycle

Answer 4

Evolutionary is good if you can’t fully visualise the final product yet. Similar to Iterative, but you only understand the final product at the end. This model is highly adaptive.

Question 5

Explain a Hybrid life cycle

Answer 5

Hybrid uses a combination of Linear & Iterative. May switch from one method to another at different stages of the project.

Question 6

Give the standard stages of a Linear life cycle

Answer 6

1. Concept: outline the business case
2. Definition: plan the timescales, costs & risks
3. Deployment: build & deliver the product
4. Transition: handover to BAU & closure
   An Incremental life cycle is very similar, but the Deployment stage may have handover points throughout, before the final Transition stage.

Question 7

Why are projects structured in phases?

Answer 7

• Helps resource allocation & estimation
• Allows governance & control with reviews of each phase
• More effective stakeholder communication
• Keeps team focussed on current work & appropriate priorities
• Risk assessment is more relevant & focussed
• Enables continuous improvement

Question 8

Explain the difference between a standard and extended project lifecycle

Answer 8

Extended Lifecycle also includes Benefits Realisation.
Accountability for output/benefits stays within the project until fully embedded in BAU.

Question 9

Why use knowledge/information management to inform decision making?

Answer 9

• Ensures lessons learnt are captured & embedded
• Avoids repeating mistakes
• Helps generate ideas & solutions
• Supports decision-making process

Question 10

Benefits of conducting reviews, decision gates & audits through the life cycle

Answer 10

• Reviews: held during the life of a project to ensure that various criteria, important at that point, are met.
  ○ May be different types e.g. Gate Review (between phases), Stage Review (throughout Deployment phase), Post-project Review (at the end) and Benefit Review (to check the benefits have been realised).
• Decision Gates: increased senior stakeholder involvement and agreement to move into the next phase of the life cycle.
• Audits: provide independent assessment of compliance. Can be done by Project Management Office or an external organisation.

Question 11

Why might projects close early?

Answer 11

• Can be an outcome of a Gate Review
• Governance must encourage organisation to see closure as a success rather than a failure
• Further information may be discovered or found during research which makes the project non-viable, e.g. while developing a new medication.
• No longer aligned to business strategy.
• Planned benefits no longer available.
• Results of earlier work are not favourable.