Project Development Cycle

project life cycle

System Development Cycle -

Introduction Systems are dynamic—they change over

time. Using systems terminology, we say that the state of the system is in flux.

The flux in system properties is definitely not random; it tends to follow a distinct pattern that is repeated again and again.

life cycle of living organisms—birth, growth, maturity , decline, and death, have similarity with the life cycles of virtually all human-made products and organizations. Recognizing this is important because it enables us to create systems, anticipate and guide their actions, and plan appropriately for them.

Systems Development Cycle

The life cycle of a human-made system can be segmented into a logical series of phases or stages, each representative of the types of tasks or activities typically conducted during some period in the life of the system.

The normative four-phase sequence(1.Conception phase, 2. Definition phase, 3. Execution phase ,4. Operation phase), called the systems development cycle, encompasses the total developmental life cycle of systems.

The phases overlap and interact, yet are clearly differentiable.

Systems Development Cycle

Project Development Cycle

A project typically spans Phases A through C, the conception, definition and execution phases of the cycle.

In that context, a project can be thought of as an organization that exists to develop a system, and the project life cycle as being the first three phases of the systems development cycle.

When Phase C is terminated upon implementation of the system, so is the project. At that time the system transits from being the end result of a project to being an operational entity.

Project Development Cycle - Introduction

Projects are undertaken for the

purpose of developing systems—

either to create new ones or improve

existing ones.

The natural life cycle of systems gives

rise to a similar life cycle in projects

called the project life cycle.

Introduction to project life cycle

Projects follow a logical sequence of

phases to completion.

Phases are typically different from project

to project since the project work will differ

from one to the next.

The point of segmenting projects into

phases is to allow for smaller, manageable

sections, and to provide deliverables in

support of the ongoing operations.

Introduction to project life cycle

The five sequential phases in time

through which any project passes:

Concept, Planning, Initiation,

Implementation, and Closeout.

These phases comprise activities,

tasks, and subtasks.

The collection of the project phases,

as a whole, is known as the project

life cycle.

Project Life Cycle

A project life cycle is a collection of project phases that defines:

◦ What work will be performed in each phase

◦ What deliverables will be produced and when

◦ Who is involved in each phase

◦ How management will control and approve work produced in each phase

A deliverable is a product or service produced or provided as part of a project

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Project Management Life

Cycle.

The process each manager follows

during the life of a project is called the

Project Management Life Cycle.

A proven methodical life cycle is

necessary to repeatedly implement

and manage projects successfully

project life cycle

Phases of Project Life Cycle

Initiating :The project is authorized.

Planning :Project objectives are determined, as well as how to reach those objectives with the given constraints.

Executing :The project is executed utilizing acquired resources.

Monitoring and controlling :Project performance is monitored and measured to ensure the project plan is being implemented to design specifications and requirements.

Closing :The project, its phases, and contracts are brought to a formal end.

Significance

Project life cycle allow a project manager to determine several things about the project, such as:■ What work will be completed in each phase

of the project?

■ What resources, people, equipment, and facilities will be needed within each phase?

■ What are the expected deliverables of each phase?

■ What is the expected cost to complete a project phase?

■ Which phases contain the highest amount of risk?

Significance

Project life cycles define the beginning, middle, and

end of a project.

Projects have a greater risk and uncertainty in the

early phases of the project life cycle than near

their end.

The project is also most susceptible to change,

failure, and stakeholder influences at the beginning

of the life cycle than near its end.

In tandem, project costs and demand for resources

are generally low at the beginning of the project,

have a tendency to peak near the end of the

project work, and then diminish.

More on Project Phases In early phases of a project life cycle:

◦ Resource needs are usually lowest

◦ The level of uncertainty (risk) is highest

◦ Project stakeholders have the greatest opportunity to influence the project

In middle phases of a project life cycle:

◦ The certainty of completing a project improves

◦ More resources are needed

The final phase of a project life cycle focuses on:

◦ Ensuring that project requirements were met

◦ The sponsor approves completion of the project

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Phases of the Traditional

Project Life Cycle

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Phases of the Traditional

Project Life Cycle

Concept phase – managers briefly describe the

project

◦ Develop a very high-level or summary plan for the project

describing the need for the project and basic underlying

concepts

◦ Rough cost estimate is developed and an overview of the

work involved is created

◦ A work breakdown structure (WBS) outlines project work

by decomposing the work activities into different levels of

tasks

The WBS is a deliverable-oriented document that

defines the total scope of the project

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Phases of the Traditional

Project Life Cycle Development phase – project team creates more

detailed project management plans, a more

accurate cost estimate and a more thorough WBS

◦ If the concept phase suggested that laptops were

one means of increasing the use of technology on

campus, then further study would be required in this

phase to determine buy/lease, type of hardware and

software, how much to charge students, how to

handle training and maintenance, etc.

◦ If the concept phase suggested that laptops were

not the way to go, the project would have been

cancelled at that point thereby saving time and

money

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Phases of the Traditional

Project Life Cycle

Implementation– project team creates a very

accurate cost estimate, delivers the required

work and provides performance reports to

stakeholders

Close-out – all the work is completed, customer

acceptance of the entire project

◦ Project team should document their

experiences on the project

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The Importance of Project Phases

and Management Reviews

A project should successfully pass through each of

the project phases in order to continue on to the

next

Management reviews, also called phase exits or

kill points, should occur after each phase to

evaluate the project’s progress, likely success,

and continued compatibility with organizational

goals

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