What is a project?


Project, as defined in the PMBOK
Guide, is a “temporary endeavor
undertaken to create a unique
product, service or result.”

All projects vary in complexity but
they all follow similar life cycles

All projects have deliverables (meaning
they always produce something)

Project examples:
 New product
 development Building
 renovation Wedding
 Dinner party
 What is a project life cycle?

Project life cycle is a series of phases of a project from
initiation to completion.

The life cycle gives a practical approach to problem
solving applied to all aspects of a project.

Phases in a project life cycle encompasses sequential
and overlapping phases.

A project life cycle typically has 4 major phases:
 Initiation Phase
 Planning
 Phase
 Implementation/ Execution Phase
Closure Phase
 Project life cycle phases

Implementation phase
Initiation Phase
The project plan is put
The project need is into action. This phase
identified in the initiation is when people are
phase. It signals the carrying out the tasks
start of a project. of their plan.

Closure phase
Planning phase
This phase is the final
This phase is where the project closing of all project
solution is further explored and processes and
the steps necessary to handing over
achieve their goals. deliverables to the
customer.
 Initiation phase


The first phase explores the project

concept. Scope is defined during this

phase.
Feasibility studies are made in order to identify if
there is a business need and justification to pursue

the project. Project charter is developed for
approval.
This is the phase that the project team is
assembled and the project manager is identified.
 Planning phase


This phase further details the scope of the project.

Tasks and resources are identified and assigned
during this phase

Project manager coordinates the preparation of
the schedule and project budget

Risks are identified ahead to anticipate any

project threats
Quality plan is developed to maintain proper

standards throughout project
Communications plan is created in order to
ensure everyone is constantly informed of
project status
 Implementation phase


This phase is where the work outlined in the
project plan is performed.

This phase consumes the most resources
and energy.

Constant and close monitoring of the work should
be done to ensure efficiency of the project

execution.
Status reports are important for all

stakeholders involved.
Deliverables are measured against the set metrics
to ensure quality is acceptable
 Closure phase


This is the last phase of the project life cycle
and involves handing over final deliverable to
the customer.

Contracts are properly terminated for
equipment, vendors and staff.

All stakeholders are to be informed of
project closure.
 This phase is when the team reviews the
overall project and identify lessons learned for
future projects.
 Processes


Processes are the tasks and
methodologies that occur within a phase.

Although they sound like phases,
processes are not phases.
 Processes


The PMBOK arrange processes into
groups according to when they ty p ic a lly
occur in a project.

However, different processes can occur any
time during a project phase
 Processes

This graphic is a representation of when
these processes typically occur over the
project life cycle
 Initiating process group

Typically occurring during
the initiation phase of a Initiation processes:


project. 4.1 Develop Project Charter

These process groups define 13.1 Identify Stakeholders

the new project or phase

objectives and what is

needed to achieve it.
Involves obtaining
authorization for the project

or phase.
Process group main output
is the project charter and
stakeholder register.
From PMBOK, 5th edition
 Planning process group

Typically occurring during Planning processes:
the planning phase of a 4.2 Develop Project Management Plan
1. Plan Scope Management


project. 2. Collect Requirements
3. Define Scope
4. Create WBS
Planning process group does not 5. Plan Schedule Management

just apply to the planning phase.

6. Define Activities
7. Sequence Activities

Planning is an activity that

8. Estimate Activity Resources
9. Estimate Activity Duration

continues to almost the end of a

10. Develop Schedule
11. Plan Cost Management

project, as projects tend to change

12. Estimate Costs
13. Determine Budget

as it progresses.
8.1 Plan Quality Management
9.1 Plan Human Resource Management

10.1 Plan Communications Management

A skilled project manager knows

14. Plan Risk Management
15. Identify Risks

how much time and effort to put into

16. Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
17. Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis

each stage of planning as the project

18. Plan Risk Responses
12.1 Plan Procurement Management

changes
13.2 Plan Stakeholder Management

From PMBOK, 5th edition

 Executing process group


Typically occurring during Execution processes:

the 4.3 Direct and Manage Project Work

implementation/execution
8.2 Perform Quality Assurance
2. Acquire Project Team
3. Develop Project Team


phase of a project. 4. Manage Project Team
10.2 Manage Communications
12.2 Conduct Procurements
This process group involves a 13.3 Manage Stakeholder Engagement

lot of management tasks and

coordination with staff while

the project plan is being
executed.
The outputs produced during
this process group is the
actual project deliverable. From PMBOK, 5th edition
 Closing process group


Typically occurring Closing processes:

during the closure 4.6 Close Project or Phase

phase of a project.
12.4 Close Procurements


Formal transfer of
deliverable to
 customer
Administrative closure and
contract closure is
performed to formally
close out project.
From PMBOK, 5th edition
 Monitoring and controlling
process group

This process group occurs Monitoring and Controlling processes:

on all phases of the project 4. Monitor and Control Project Work

life cycle. 5. Perform Integrated Change Control

5. Validate Scope


Ensures that the project is 6. Control Scope

on track and flags issues to 6.7 Control Schedule

maintain project course 7.4 Control Costs

direction.
8.3 Control Quality

10.3 Control Communications


Collects performance data 11.6 Control Risks

through constant reports 12.3 Control Procurements

from team such as status

13.4 Control Stakeholder Engagement

reports and team meetings. From PMBOK, 5th edition

 Final thoughts


While the PMBOK and PMI gives an outline of
a typical project, no two projects are the

same.
A good project manager knows how to choose

which processes are needed for their project.
Practicality and pragmatism is the best approach
to any project. (keep it simple)