HKSM
Project Life Cycle
The ordered progression of phases a project moves through, from its beginning to its end.
Key Points
- Structures the project into distinct phases that may be sequential or overlapping.
- Phase names and counts vary by organization and industry (e.g., concept, planning, execution, closure).
- Includes governance checkpoints (phase gates) for go/no-go or continue decisions between phases.
- Different from process groups; the process groups can repeat within each life cycle phase.
Example
An engineering firm uses a four-phase life cycle: concept, design, build, and closeout. After design, a phase-gate review checks drawings, budget, and risks to authorize moving into construction.
PMP Example Question
Which statement best describes the project life cycle?
- A set of related phases that take a project from beginning to end.
- The five process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.
- The sequence of stages a product goes through from market launch to retirement.
- The organizational methodology used to manage portfolios.
Correct Answer: A — Project life cycle
Explanation: The project life cycle is the structured series of project phases; process groups (B) repeat within phases, product life cycle (C) concerns the product, and (D) relates to portfolio management.
