Your Road Map to Success

The Project Life Cycle

Your Road Map to Success
The tabs to the right contain a clear road map of definitions, tasks & deliverables in a standard project life cycle. This is your road map to project management success and is based on the use of project management templates throughout the project life cycle. By using templates you will be able to control the processes and events that occur during the project life cycle so that your project is successful.

Each tab contains detail on each of the primary phases of a project life cycle. Study the tasks and deliverables. In my podcasts I go more into detail on when to use and how to customize project management templates.

All of the templates mentioned here, plus many more, are available for you to download after you register and login. Simply look for the "Free PM Templates" main menu item.

Initiation

Initiation Phase
This is the beginning and commitment to the project. At this time the project is born and clearly defined. In this phase the Project Manager documents the business needs in the project charter. The Stakeholders agree to the details provided in the project charter, and the project is authorized to proceed. At the completion of this phase everyone will know who, what, high-level when, and why related to the project.

Tasks Include:
- Identify Stakeholders
- Document Business Drivers & Needs
- Identify Mission, Goals, Objectives, & Scope as well as other details needed to complete the Project Charter

Deliverables:
Project Charter, Business Plan, Initial Project Schedule, Budget Checklist, Budget, Authorization / Sign-off document.

Planning

Planning Phase
Planning is the major part of project management. The use of project management templates during this project life cycle phase is critical. This phase includes tasks related to analysis, negotiation, design, development, testing, and implementation of the project. Planning is based on the project's scope and will have a direct effect on the project's success! (Success is defined as a project that is completed on time, within budget, and meets or exceeds customer expectation.) During this phase it is critical to document the tasks to be completed in a project schedule, as well as define, prioritize, and document business and technical requirements.

Tasks Include:
- Gather requirements (Business & Technical Requirements)
- Obtain procedures from functional depts. (Functional Matrix)
- Install management tools
- Create plans (see deliverables list below)
- Communicate team norms
- Publish status report
- Publish meeting minutes (Meeting Planning & Facilitation)
- Sign-off on change management process
- Cost Analysis & Budget Definition
- Gather estimates from technical team (IT Systems Checklist)
- Identify success criteria (and publish to stakeholders)
- User interface design reviews
- Prototype reviews

Deliverables:
Project Plan, Project Scheduling, Vendor Checklist, Authorization / Sign-off, Communications Matrix, Communications Plan, Change Control Log, Change Management Check List, Change Request Template, Issues Log, Risks Log, Requirements Document, Functional Matrix, Design Document, Weekly Status Report, Detailed Status Report, Authorization / Sign-off, Recommendations for PM Success, Meeting Planning & Facilitation, Budget Checklist, Budget Template.

Execution

Execution & Control Phase
During this phase what you have committed to, and what is planned, is performed. This includes coding functionality, integration of vendor technology and services, testing, training, and implementation. At the same time you measure variances and manage deviations through the project schedule to ensure that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and meets or exceeds expectations.

Tasks Include:
- Code Application
- Conduct Status Meetings
- Publish Status Report
- Manage Issues
- Manage Change Requests
- Perform Tests
- Update Project Plan
- Document Lessons Learned
- Execute QA Plan
- Manage User Training
- Configure Environments ( IT Systems Checklist)
- Create Production Environments

Deliverables:
Project Schedule, Lessons Learned, IT Systems Checklist, Communications Plan, Change Control Log, Change Management Check List, Change Request Template, Issues Log, Risks Log, UAT Communication Plan, Weekly Status Report, Detailed Status Report, Authorization / Sign-off, Recommendations for PM Success, Meeting Planning & Facilitation .

Closeout

Closeout Phase
This is the completion and resolution of the project. After the project team has implemented the deliverable, there is a transition from the project team to operations and / or support.

New technology, applications and / or processes may include managing ongoing fixes and / or enhancement requests, as well as updating project documentation.

Tasks Include:
- Review Success Criteria
- Review Lessons Learned ('What went well", and 'Even better if' details).
- Conduct Final Meeting with Stakeholders
- Follow up on user satisfaction

Deliverables:
Lessons Learned, Change Request Template, Team Questionnaire, Final Project Review, Authorization / Sign-off document.