The project management life cycle - 1.3/6 FOUNDATIONS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Flashcards
You will learn about the phases of the project life cycle, what tasks they involve, and why it is important to complete them.
What are the 4 common phases that most project life cycles have and what are they?
- initiate the project
- make a plan
- execute and complete tasks
- close the project
What is the first phase of the project life cycle?
Initiate the project.
This is the launchpad for the entire process of your project. In this phase, you’ll define project goals and deliverables, identify the budget and resources you’ll need, the people involved in your project, and any other details that can impact the successful completion of your project. You’ll document all this information in one place to showcase the project’s value, and hopefully get approval to forward with it.
What phase is make a plan?
Second phase.
For every single project, creating a plan of how you’re going to meet your goals is 100% essential.
What does a plan generally include?
- budget
- breakdown of all tasks that need to be completed
- ways to communicate team roles and responsibilities
- schedule
- resources
- back up plan of what to do in case your project encounters problems or needs to change
What is the role of the Project Manager during phase 3?
Phase 3 is execute and complete tasks.
As a project manager, your role’s a little different. While you might be in charge of completing certain tasks in the project, your primary tasks as the project manager are to monitor progress and keep your team motivated. You also remove any obstacles that might come up so that the tasks are executed well and on time.
Why is Closing the Project an important phase in the project life cycle?
Closing the project is also a chance to evaluate how the project went. You can make note of what worked and what didn’t so you can plan better for next time. Even if the project was a massive success, it’s helpful to take time to reflect. Closing the project is also a great way to connect with anyone outside your team who may have had interest in the project’s goal. You can let everyone know what was completed an what you accomplished.
What goes into initiating a project?
organizing all of the information you have available to you about your project. This way you’ll be prepared for phase 2.
Define project goals so that the details of your project are clear and your team can successfully complete the project.
Identify the steps to reach that goal
Find out what resources are available - people, equipment, software programs, vendors, physical space or locations. Anything you need to complete the project is a resource.
What goes into making a plan?
- creating a budget
- setting a schedule
- establishing your team
- determine roles and responsibilities
- plan for risk and change
- establish communications
What goes into executing a plan?
- manage the progress
- oversee team efforts
- ensure everyone understands their task and what’s expected of them, their due dates
- communicate with anyone involved with the project (task report)
- make adjustments as needed
What goes into closing a project?
- ensure all tasks have been completed
- all resources returned and accounted for
- project documentation submitted
- get approval from the people who asked for it.
- reflect on lessons learned so that they can use that information to inform decisions about their business the next time they consider a project.
- communicate results with the stakeholders
What is a Stakeholder?
Stakeholder’s are people who are interested in and affected by the project’s completion and success. It could be a department, or management team, clients or customers of product or service. Users of your new tool of process.
What questions should you ask when in the initiating phase of the project life cycle?
Who are the stakeholders?
What are the client’s or customer’s goals?
What is the purpose and mission of the project?
What are the measurable objectives for the team?
What is the project trying to improve?
When does this project need to be completed?
What skills and resources will the project require?
What will the project cost? What are the benefits?
What are you essentially doing when you’re making a plan?
In this phase, make a plan to get your project from start to finish.
Create a detailed project plan. What are the major milestones? What tasks or deliverables make up each milestone?
Build out the schedule so you can properly manage the resources, budget, materials, and timeline. Here, you will create an itemized budget.
As a project manager, how do you fit into phase 3?
Monitor your project team as they complete project tasks.
Break down any barriers that would slow or stop the team from completing tasks.
Help keep the team aware of schedule and deliverable expectations.
Address weaknesses in your process or examine places where your team may need additional training to meet the project’s goals.
Adapt to changes in the project as they arise.
By following the project life cycle, you’re ensuring that you are:
Capturing the expectations of your customer
Setting your project up for success with a plan
Executing project tasks and addressing any issues that arise
Closing out your project to capture any lessons learned.
