APM - Understand project life cycles Flashcards
State the purpose of a typical linear project life cycle
A linear life cycle aims to complete a project within a single pass through a set of distinct phases that are completed serially and span from the development of the initial concept to the deployment of an ultimate output, outcome or benefits. See Waterfall method.
State the purpose of a typical iterative project life cycle
A Iterative life cycle repeats one or more of the phases of a project or programme before proceeding to the next one with the objective of managing uncertainty of scope by allowing objectives to evolve as learning and discovery takes place.
Define the term ‘hybrid life cycle’
Hybrid life cycle A pragmatic approach to achieving beneficial change that combines a linear life cycle for some phases or activities with an iterative life cycle for others.
It fuses together elements of predictive and adaptive perspectives
The ‘definition’ phase of the linear lifecycle can be blended with the iterative can increase efficiency and flexibility.
State the phases of a typical linear project life cycle
The typical phases of a linear life cycle are;
•‘Concept’
-Development of an initial idea through initial studies and high-level requirements management, and assessment of viability, including the outline BC.
•‘Definition’
-Development of detailed definition, plans and statement of requirements that include a full justification for the work. It would be typical of a project management plan to form the output of this phase.
•‘Deployment’
-Implementation of plans and verification of performance through testing and assurance to realise intended outputs, outcomes, and benefits.
•Transition
-Handover, commissioning and acceptance of outputs to the sponsor and wider users, culminating in formal closure.
State the phases of a typical iterative project life cycle
Iterative life cycle
1.‘Pre- project’
Iterative lifecycle begins by developing defining a high-level vision.
2.‘Feasibility and Foundation’
Ensure finer detail is uncovered during the cycles of iteration
3.‘Evolutionary Development’
Phase allows the specification and design to run in parallel and so fast tracks to deployment
- ‘Assemble’ – review – deploy
- Iterations progressively elaborate and improve using prototypes that stakeholders use to provide feedback and insight for adaption and improvement.
- The deployment phase seeks to bring the evolving solution either fully into operation or incrementally, overall iterations allow earlier returns on some benefits
Define the term ‘extended project life cycle’ phases
Some projects will be expected to manage change and the realisation of benefits. Some contractors will be focused on the operational phases.
- Output • Adoption - Outcome • Benefits realisation • Operation • Termination
Define the term ‘extended project life cycle’
A life cycle approach that adds an adoption phase to a linear or iterative life cycle with the purpose of ensuring the accountability and governance of the investment stays with the change teams until change is fully embedded. It provides the missing connection to benefit realisation in a linear life cycle and facilitates cooperation and knowledge sharing between change and business-as-usual teams.
