• Unit 2: The Project Lifecycle

    In this module, we examine the project lifecycle as defined by the Project Management Institute, which consists of project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. We will briefly look at each phase with an emphasis on the work completed during that phase of the project and how all phases work together to complete the work of the project.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • differentiate the work completed during each phase of a project;
      • apply appropriate project management techniques to each project phase; and
      • demonstrate the proper use of project management documents throughout the project management lifecycle.

    • 2.1: Project Management Life Cycle

      • The Project Life Cycle (Phases) Book

        Projects are broken into phases. The Project Management Institute suggested that project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing are the formal phases for each project. This chapter provides an overview of the work performed in each phase of a project. 

      • Project Initiation, Scope, and Structure Page

        Read this section and pay special attention to the phase in which various project documents are created.

    • 2.2: Initiation Phase

      • Initiation, Success, and the Project Charter Book

        Read this text. Be sure to note the importance of defining what success for the project looks like, as this will help shape the development of the project plan. The project sponsor and stakeholders are important in this process. 

      • Components of a Project Charter Book

        As you read this chapter, notice how the project charter defines the preliminary scope, schedule, and budget for the project, effectively paying out the project's anticipated "triple constraint".

      • Business Case Page

        The business case provides the justification, or "why we are doing the project". Pay attention to how the justification seeks to provide a balance between the money spent versus the benefits achieved.

      • How to Illustrate Business Case Benefits Page

        This article provides a quick tutorial on how to create a visual representation of the future benefits of a project. The purpose of visuals is to help turn hard numeric data into something easier to see.

    • 2.3: Planning Phase

      • Project Schedule Planning Book

        The bulk of the work in the planning phase revolves around the project scope, schedule, and budget. As you read through this chapter, pay special attention to how the work of the project is defined, how project resources are identified, how deliverables are decomposed into tasks that are logically sequenced, and how the work breakdown structure helps a project manager stay on top of the work of the project.

    • 2.4: Execution Work Management Phase

      • Project Implementation Overview Page

        Don't let the title of this chapter confuse you. The author uses project "implementation" to refer to the execution of the project plan (the actual work of the project to produce the project deliverables). Read the section on change control, as this is one important aspect of controlling the project scope, schedule, and budget.

    • 2.5: Monitoring and Controlling Work Phase

      • Project Monitoring and Control Page

        This video describes the various activities that occur in the Monitoring and Controlling phase of a project. The activities of monitoring and controlling occur simultaneously with project execution. Notice that there is an emphasis on controlling the scope of work, as the scope can easily become distorted during project execution. In addition to controlling the project's scope, project status reporting, including analysis of variance and trends, occurs.

    • 2.6: Closing and Implementing Phase

      • Project Closing Page

        This video discusses the activities that take place during project closure. These activities include transitioning from project to operations, when appropriate, closing project procurement contracts, capturing lessons learned, and releasing employees from the project.

    • Unit 2 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 2 Assessment

      • Unit 2 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.