What is the Project Lifecycle? - Project Business Academy (2024)

The Project Lifecycle is the sequence of phases through which a project progresses. It includes initiation, planning, execution, and closure. Learn more.

The Project Lifecycle is the sequence of phases through which a project progresses. The number of phases and sequence of the cycle may vary based on the company and the type of project undergone. As part of a project, however, they should have a definite start and end, and they are constrained by time. The lifecycle provides the basic foundation of the actions that has to be performed in the project, irrespective of the specific work involved.

The Project Lifecycle typically involves these four stages:

  1. Project Initiation – this is the start of the project. It may involve many sub-activities including: a feasibility study, identifying the scope, identifying deliverables, identifying project stakeholders, developing a business case, creating a statement of work, and possibly initial costs, price, and timeline for work to be done.
  2. Project Planning – Once the project is approved from the initiation phase, it moves into planning. This phase involves creating a project plan, including the tasks, schedule, resources, and constraints on the project. The budget for the project is also created in this phase. In addition, risk should be anticipated and identified at this stage, as well as mitigation plans.
  3. Project Execution – This phase is where the work gets done. Task owners begin work and the project manager oversees that tasks are done in a timely manner and workflow continues smoothly. Monitoring and Controlling (managing the work and financials) are a big part of this phase, as issues will always arise and require quick adjustments as the project progresses.
  4. Project Closure – Once the team has completed all the tasks, and the project owner signs off that all deliverables are complete, the project is closed. Any documentation is handed over to the project owner and if required to an ongoing maintenance organization. The project is then analyzed for performance to determine whether the project’s goals were met (tasks completed, on time and on budget).

Now the question is, how do you manage this lifecycle as a project organization?

To manage the full lifecycle of your projects, you need a business system.

We don’t manage our customer relationships or company financials in spreadsheets anymore, do we? Why should projects be any different?

What is the Project Lifecycle? - Project Business Academy (1)
Project Business Automation: a Business System for Projects

Control and streamline all your project business processes throughout the project lifecycle in one system.

Is PBA right for you?

Managing the Project Lifecycle in PPM Solutions

To manage the entire project lifecycle in a system, you may want to consider Project Portfolio Management Software (PPM) or project management solutions. PPM tools help organizations prioritize, manage, and track the performance of different portfolios of projects. The primary goal of a PPM tool is to ensure that projects align with the organization’s strategic objectives, are executed efficiently, and deliver the intended results.

Bring Order to your Project Lifecycle

Project Business Automation (PBA) is the first vertically integrated business system for projects designed to provide the financial and operational tools, controls, and insight that you need throughout the entire project lifecycle. PBA is built from the ground up to reduce complexity and seamlessly connect all your project business processes in one system.

  • Streamline and automate processes
  • Increase productivity
  • Improve project governance
  • Reduce risk, overruns & delays
  • Enhance financial control

PBA from Adeaca revolutionizes project-driven business management.

Download the Project Business Automation Quick Guide to learn more about PBA and how it can transform how you manage projects in your company.

What is the Project Lifecycle? - Project Business Academy (2)

How to Best Manage the Project Lifecycle

Every project is unique. How can you manage the complex life of a project systematically. You may look for a Project Portfolio Management tool (PPM), or Professional Services Automation, or Project Management tool. However, for project-driven organizations, you really need a Project Business System. A Project Business System is a comprehensive solution designed to govern and support your project business processes throughout the lifecycle of the project.

What is the Project Lifecycle? - Project Business Academy (2024)

FAQs

What is the Project Lifecycle? - Project Business Academy? ›

The project life cycle is comprised of 5 key stages. Learn more about initiation, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing, and why the life cycle is so important.

What is project life cycle answer? ›

The project life cycle is made up of five project stages: project initiation, project planning, project execution, monitoring & control and project closing. Each of these phases is necessary for the effective delivery of the project.

What is the project life cycle quizlet? ›

What is a Project Life Cycle? It is a series of phases that a project passes through from initiation to closure.

What are the 5 stages of project life cycle explained? ›

The project life cycle includes five main stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure. Keeping an eye on the completion of each phase helps ensure the project stays on time and within budget.

What is the project lifecycle and why is it important? ›

It includes initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure. Upon respecting these stages while working on your project, you'll be able to complete your project successfully. TIP: Read our guide if you want to learn everything about project tracking: what is, how to do it, and its importance.

Why is the project life cycle important? ›

It provides a structured approach to managing projects, allowing for proper planning, execution, monitoring, and control. The project management lifecycle also promotes proactive decision-making, facilitates effective communication, and helps achieve project success.

How many people fail the PMP exam? ›

Based on statistical data, around 40-50% of PMP® candidates fail in passing the PMP® exam.

How quickly I can pass PMP exam? ›

How long does it take to pass the PMP on average? Each candidate follows their own PMP prep schedule, but project management experts typically recommend at least one to three months of study. Once your application is approved, you have one year to pass the exam, including up to three attempts.

What is the full project lifecycle? ›

The project management life cycle is usually broken down into four phases: initiation, planning, execution, and closure. These phases make up the path that takes your project from the beginning to the end.

What is the project life cycle process group? ›

These are referred to as Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.

What are the first five stages of the project life cycle called? ›

The 5 basic phases in the project management process are:

Project Initiation. Project Planning. Project Execution. Project Monitoring and Controlling. Project Closing.

How do you write a project life cycle? ›

The project life cycle consists of a series of steps, phases, or stages a project goes through from beginning to finish—sometimes linearly and sometimes not. There are usually five phases of the project life cycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.

What is an example of a life cycle? ›

A life cycle is the series of stages of life for an organism, beginning with life and ending with death. An example would be the life cycle of a bird. A bird's life cycle consists of four main stages, which include 1) egg, 2) hatchling, 3) fledgling, and 4) adult.

What is the process life cycle? ›

The stages that a physical process or a management system goes through as it proceeds from birth to death. These stages include conception, design, deployment, acquisition, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, and disposal.

What is project life cycle essay? ›

A project life cycle begins with scope definition followed by planning, execution, and finally delivering (Cadle & Yeates 2001). An important aspect of project management, which cuts across all these phases, is project evaluation.

What is the life cycle of a PMP project? ›

According to the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge) by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a project management life cycle consists of 5 distinct phases including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure that combine to turn a project idea into a working product.

What is a project life cycle in construction? ›

The construction project life cycle is the proper order of completing tasks in a construction project. It acts as a guide for the entire process of completing a project, beginning with the initial conception to the final details.

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