Examples of Project Phases

Often they are based of Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act.

A real life example is Boeing's problem solving model project phases:

0 - Contain the Problem
1 - Define & Describe the Problem or Opportunity
2 - Identify Root Causes
3 - Identify and Validate Proposed Solutions
4 - Implement the Solutions
5 - Sustain the Gains

Note that project execution is often not linear but instead has a lot of iteration. While implementing some solutions, you may identify new problems/opportunities. That can make describing the project phase difficult as some discrete deliverables will be at different maturity levels. This can be shown on an integrated schedule as a Tier 1 with an overall timeline, with smaller short-term focused efforts broken out on supporting Tier 2 schedules.

Often they are based of Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act.

A real life example is Boeing's problem solving model project phases:

0 - Contain the Problem
1 - Define & Describe the Problem or Opportunity
2 - Identify Root Causes
3 - Identify and Validate Proposed Solutions
4 - Implement the Solutions
5 - Sustain the Gains

Note that project execution is often not linear but instead has a lot of iteration. While implementing some solutions, you may identify new problems/opportunities. That can make describing the project phase difficult as some discrete deliverables will be at different maturity levels. This can be shown on an integrated schedule as a Tier 1 with an overall timeline, with smaller short-term focused efforts broken out on supporting Tier 2 schedules.

Hi Sharyn,

Below are the examples various phases involved in a typical construction project

A. Inception and Feasibility
A1. Business Case.
A2. Identify Stakeholders.
A3. Collecting Requirements
A4. Budgeting and Feasibility study
A5. Work Program establishment.

B Design Phase
B1. Pre Design
B2. Concept Design
B3. Detailed Design
B4. Authority Approvals

C. Tendering and Procurement phase (May overlap with B)
C1 . Float RFP to Potential Contractors.
C2. Bid evaluation.
C3.Contractor Appointment.

D. Execution phase
D1.Contractor Mobilization.
D2. Detailed work program.
D3.Engineering & Approvals
D4. Procurement
D5. Construction

E. Close Out
E1. Testing and Commissioning.
E2. Authority Clearance
E3. Final Connections
E4. Close out documentation.
E5.Handing Over.

Hope it helps.

Sharyn,

PMI PMBoK Guide ed6 say there are 4 'generic' life cycle phases for projects, and they have nothing to do with process groups, as you say:

1. starting the project
2. organizing and planning
3. carrying out the work
4. ending the project

And there are many other more specific lifecycles and phases, e.g. for SAP rollout projects:
1. Preparation
2. business blueprint
3. realization
4. final preparation
5. Go-Live and support

Or for SW development, the SDLC phases
1. project planning
2. gathering requirements
3. design
4. coding or implementation
5. testing
6. deployment
7. maintenance

Lifecycles are company or industry-standard specific or product specific. They govern the work of the project team.
Process groups are industry-agnostic and govern the work of the project manager.

Thomas

In my case, what I teach to my students is calling it as they want. Just I pointed out that the name is a key thing to engage stakeholders (as other things of course).