Project Life Cycles

Question 1

What is a project life cycle

Answer 1

• Makes project work different from BAU
• Projects have a start, middle and end but BAU only has a middle
• Defines the sequence of phases and stages required to transform an idea or concept into reality (governing the progression)
• Offers and systemic and organised way to conduct project related work
• A way of controlling the project effectively

Question 2

What are the stages of the APM project life cycle? (high-level)

Answer 2

• Concept (initiation)
• Definition (planning)
• Development (execution)
• Handover and closure

Question 3

What is the purpose/benefits of a project life cycle

Answer 3

• You can ensure everything is completed within each phase by having a detailed plan for each phase
• each phase is reviewed for completion before initiation of the next phase - greater incremental control
• Allows funding to be phased
• ensures the early phases are not ignored
• divides the project into manageable chunks
• assists in the planning, scheduling and estimating
• resources can be allocated to each phase to reduce shortages

Question 4

What is an extended project life cycle

Answer 4

• It includes the operational outputs and the realisation of benefits
• has a life beyond the project
• Incorporates the management of change and realisation of benefits

Concept
Definition
Deployment
Transition (close and handover)
(Benefits Realisation)
(Operation)
(Termination)

Question 5

What is the benefits realisation phase

Answer 5

• part of the extended life cycle
• the practice of ensuring that benefits are derived from the outputs and outcomes
• benefits are measured to the base line of the business case
• transformation work takes place to ensure the new ways of working are embedded in BAU

Question 6

What is the operation phase

Answer 6

• continuous support and maintenance