4.3 Project Phases and Lifecycles

	The project life cycle refers to the logical sequence of tasks to attain a project's goals or objectives.
	These tasks or activities are grouped into different phases with a particular deliverable for each phase.
	Deliverable is the outcome of a project phase; this can be documents, plans, software code, a piece of hardware.
	There are four basic phases for a traditional project: concept, development, implementation and close out.

		The first two phases, concept and development, are known as project feasibility
		The other two phases, implementation and close-out, are recognized as project acquisition.

Figure 4.2 summaries the phases of the traditional project life cycle.

4.3 Project Phases and Lifecycles

4.3 Project Phases and Lifecycles

Initiation/Concept

		This is the first step in the project life cycle. It is mainly carried out to determine the main purpose and scope of the project.
		Although a demand has been identified, the extent of this demand must be established.
		An assessment of whether the proposed solution will fully satisfy the objectives of the project must be done. Also, other alternative options should be considered accompanied with an evaluation of their feasibility.

This can be achieved by conducting interviews and brainstorming sessions with the customers and stakeholders.

At the end of this stage, a project description document must be issued including the project objectives, most feasible solution and preliminary cost estimate.

Development/Planning

		The development stage is concerned with the detailed planning of the project.
		It is a critical phase as proper and accurate planning can save time, money and effort.
		Project plans present the information and data gathered in the concept phase in greater details which include creating the following:

4.3 Project Phases and Lifecycles

			Project plans and the work breakdown structure: this divide project into tasks and sub-tasks, then, specifies the schedule of activities with their sequence of execution.
			Resource plans: will determine who will do what with what tool.
			Financial plans: present the budget required to undertake such project.
			Risk plans: preparing contingency and mitigation plans.
			Communication planning: planning ways and times of contact with different stakeholders.

Implementation

		During this phase, team members execute the activities as planned by the project manager.
		Project manager is responsible for supervising the implementation of various tasks and should carry out performance measurement which identifies the difference between the planned and actual work and cost.
		Moreover, the project manager should continually report back the progress and status of the project to the stakeholders.

4.3 Project Phases and Lifecycles

Close-out of the Project:

		The last stage of the project life cycle is the closing out.
		It consists of handing over the final deliverables to the customer with his acceptance to the produced solution.
		At this stage, post-implementation reviews must be undertaken to confirm the completion of all project objectives.