Project Life Cyrcle

Inhalte von Prof. Dr. Kurt Englmeier

Consider any project, and you'll also have to consider any phases within the project. Construction projects have definite phases. IT-projects have definite phases. Marketing, sales, and internal projects all have definite phases. Projects - all projects - are comprised of phases. The sum of a project's phases equates to the project's life cycle. Project integration management is the heart of project management and is made up of the day-to-day processes the project manager relies on to ensure that all of the parts of the project work together. PIM gears the project work together.

Project Life Cycle - Example

Because every project life cycle is comprised of phases, it's safe to assume that each phase has a specific type of work that allows the project to move towards the next phase in the project. In a simple construction example, this is easy to see:

Phase 1: Planning and pre-build
Phase 2: Permits and filings
Phase 3: Prep and excavation
Phase 4: Basement and foundation
Phase 5: Framing
Phase 6: Interior
Phase 7: Exterior

Typically, one phase is completed before the next phase begins, but sometimes project managers allow phases to overlap because of time constraints. When time's an issue and a project manager allows one phase to begin before the last phase is completed, it's called fast tracking. Fast tracking, as handy as it is, increases the risk within a project, however.

A project is an uncertain business—the larger the project, the more uncertainty. It's for this reason, among others, that projects are broken down into smaller, more manageable phases. A project phase allows a project manager to see the project as a whole and yet still focus on completing the project one phase at a time.

Each project has its own unique attributes, activities, and requirements from stakeholders. Within each project, one attribute that typically varies from project to project is the project life cycle. As the name implies, the project life cycle determines not only the start of the project, but also when the project should be completed.

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