Written by Coursera • Updated on Aug 11, 2022 Show
The project management lifecycle consists of four steps: initiating, planning, executing, and closing. What is the project management lifecycle?The project management lifecycle is a step-by-step framework of best practices used to shepherd a project from its beginning to its end. It provides project managers a structured way to create, execute, and finish a project. This project management process generally includes four phases: initiating, planning, executing, and closing. Some may also include a fifth “monitoring and controlling” phase between the executing and closing stages. By following each step, a project team increases the chance of achieving its goals. The project management lifecycle provides projects with structure and tools to ensure they have the best chance of being successful. As a project manager, it’s a process you’ll want to know well. Read more: What Does a Project Manager Do? A Career Guide The Project Management Lifecycle: 4 Steps1. InitiatingIn the initiation phase, you’ll define the project. You’ll sort out the project goals, scope, and resources of the project, and what roles are needed on the team. Clarifying what stakeholders expect out of the project, and what exactly the project is aiming to achieve (and why) will give the project and team clear direction. This is a crucial phase to the project’s success. Without clarity around what needs to be achieved and why, the project runs the risk of not accomplishing the end goals and meeting the expectations of stakeholders. Some steps in the initiation phase include:
Tools and documents used in the initiation phase can include:
professional certificate Google Project Management:Start your path to a career in project management. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than six months. No degree or experience is required. 4.8 (56,968 ratings) 789,301 already enrolled BEGINNER level Average time: 6 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Organizational Culture, Career Development, Strategic Thinking, Change Management, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Project Planning, Risk Management, Task Estimation, Procurement, Quality Management, Project Execution, Coaching, Influencing, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Scrum, Effective Communication 2. PlanningIn the planning phase, you’ll determine the steps to actually achieve the project goals—the “how” of completing a project. You’ll establish budgets, timelines, and milestones, and source materials and necessary documents. This step also involves calculating and predicting risk, putting change processes into place, and outlining communication protocols. If the initiation phase is assembling your troops, the planning phase is deciding what to do with them. The planning phase can include the following steps:
Tools you might use in a this phase include:
Read more: How to Manage Project Risk: A 5-Step Guide 3. Execute and complete tasksExecuting a project means putting your plan into action and keeping the team on track. Generally this means tracking and measuring progress, managing quality, mitigating risk, managing the budget, and using data to inform your decisions. Specific steps might include:
Some tools you might use include:
4. Close projectsIn the closing phase of the project management lifecycle, you’ll conclude project activities, turn the finished product or service over to its new owners, and assess the things that went well and didn’t go so well. It’ll also be a time to celebrate your hard work. Steps in the closing phase can include:
Tools used in the closing phase include:
The following video provides an overview of the project management lifecycle. This is a preview of the Google Project Management Professional Certification. An overview of the project management lifecyle. Getting started in project managementMastering all steps of the project management lifecycle is an ongoing process that will continue throughout your career. Learning the formal aspects—the tools, steps, and vocabulary used in the process—can set you up for success in your beginning days as a project manager. If you’re interested in deepening your knowledge of project management, consider the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate to learn job-ready project management skills at your own pace. Related articles
Written by Coursera • Updated on Aug 11, 2022 This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. Which stage of project life cycle requires the maximum time for completion?The implementation phase is the longest in the project life cycle. It also takes up the most team energy and resources because it doesn't end until the deliverables are built and presented to the client for approval.
In which of the project cycle the major portion of physical project work is performed?A major portion of the project work, both physical and mental is done in the executing stage.
What are the 5 stages of the project life cycle?By working through each of these phases in turn, project managers can successfully progress their project from start to finish.. Initiating.. Planning.. Executing.. Monitoring/controlling.. Closing.. In which stage of the project life cycle is the product of the project delivered to the customer and resources are released from the project?Closing Phase. During the final closure, or completion phase, the emphasis is on releasing the final deliverables to the customer, handing over project documentation to the business, terminating supplier contracts, releasing project resources, and communicating the closure of the project to all stakeholders.
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