Project Life Cycle Phases

Discovery/Concept Phase - Purpose

Evaluates project ideas for viability based on budget, ROI, strategic alignment, and other factors. Filters out non-viable projects.

Discovery/Concept Phase - Key Tasks

Create business case

Analyze ROI

Review vendors/clients

Check existing contracts

Evaluate CapEx vs. OpEx

Initiation Phase - Purpose

Marks the official start of a project. Produces a high-level summary including goals, timeline, scope, and resources.

Initiation Phase - Key Tasks

Create project charter

Preliminary Scope

Identify stakeholders

Develop RACI matrix

Build records management plan

Define communication methods

Review prior artifacts

Design IT solution

Conduct kickoff

Planning Phase - Purpose

Outlines detailed project plans, expectations, timelines, and metrics based on the high-level summary from Initiation.

Planning Phase - Key Tasks

Review resources

Assess procurement needs

Assign/train team

Create communication plan

Develop scope statement

Build WBS/backlog

Create schedule

Review budget

Set QA plan

Conduct risk assessment

Plan transition/release

Develop project management plan

Execution Phase - Purpose

Delivers the project work. Project managers track progress, remove blockers, and ensure team productivity.

Execution Phase - Key Tasks

Execute tasks

Manage organizational change

Manage vendors

Lead meetings

Track/report progress

Update budget/timeline

Resolve conflict

Facilitate phase gate review

Closing Phase - Purpose

Wraps up the project, finalizes deliverables, releases resources, and gathers feedback before declaring the project complete.

Closing Phase - Key Tasks

Evaluate results

Validate deliverables

Close contracts

Release access/resources

Conduct lessons learned meeting

Create closure report

Gather feedback

Archive documentation

Reconcile finances

Celebrate success

Get final sign-off