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. Show 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 Top project management coursesThe 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 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. 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 articlesPreparing to Manage Human Resources Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course One way or another, all employees are managed. But approaches to managing employees varying from employee-to-employee, job-to-job,… Managing for Frictionless Sales Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course This course introduces you to the Frictionless Sales Framework and how it can enable your sales team to… View AnswersLead Management with HubSpot Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course In this course, you will learn how to create and implement an effective lead management strategy for your… View AnswersIntroduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course This course will help you be a better negotiator.… View AnswersInbound Sales Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course In this course, you will learn how to create a successful inbound sales strategy by connecting with and earning the… View AnswersHow to Manage a Remote Team Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course Remote management is much more than just implementing a work-from-home policy. In this course, you’ll learn… View AnswersForensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] About this Course Everyday across the world, thousands of businesses are victimized by fraud. Who commits these bad acts? Why?… View AnswersAgile Leadership: Introduction to Change Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] The Agile Leadership Specialization’s foundation is laid out in this course. At the conclusion of this course, you will have… View AnswersAgile Leadership Capstone Coursera Quiz Answers [100% Working] This course highlights the importance and role of software product management. It also provides an overview of the specialization, as well as… View Answers |