Sylvain CarrierRetired| Canadian Forces and Government of CanadaOttawa, Ontario, Canada
I had to do some research to compare the name/structure of project phases in various methodologies and came across an interesting paper by Mounir Ajam.
The paper basically says that PMI/PMBoK has process groups but no project phase/stage structure as such.
It's nice to get additional info directly from the author of the cited paper. Thanks.
Having seen all this, it is necessarily wrong to use "initiate, plan, execute and close" as standard or fundamental project phases/stages? Even if those will get repeated within every phase/stage of a given project, they do correspond to the right steps in a project life cycle. One could say that we have some kind of recursive process.
In addition PRINCE2 is basically using the same phases/stages with their "pre-project, initiation, delivery and closing" phases. The boundaries of the phases are a pretty good match too I think.
Organizations can name their phases anything they want. However, we do NOT recommend using the names of the process groups as project phases. It is confusion and human nature will consider them as equal.
One issue I also have with a Planning Phase - technically planning is a set of processes that happen along most of the project life cycle. One we think of planning as a PHASE then we think it only happen early in the project life cycle and does not repeat.
Every phase must be authorized (initiating) --- planned --- controlled, and closed. These four process groups are quite similar in every stage. Executing is what is different.
For example
1. Executing in a design phase - is completing design work and delivering an output = design package.
2. Executing construction phase - is carrying out the construction work.
Etc. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
You have to read the PMBOK and all your answers are there. PMBOK is a guide to apply project management best practices. The method and the phases (project life cycles) to use is up to you. Saving Changes...
I would agree with Mounir Ajam on this and would like to point you in another direction. PRINCE2 defines the lifecycles and phases in a even better way, but naturally not in conflict with PMBOK Guide. They have three lifecycles running in parallel in a project, project management, technical and administrative. Project management and Technical phases can still have some overlaps but administrative phases are surgically separated even breaking and dividing the project management ad technical phases. You still have the freedom to have as many phases in your project and name them accordingly. I would say number of phases in any project should and could not be in double figures or it will make the project impossibly complex. I will go for 3-7 phases in a project with their names closely resembling the technical work done in each. PMBOK Guide also explains the same concept but not in so many words, but if you want to understand the whole story, you have to refer to material outside of PMBOK Guide. Saving Changes...
fosco frongiaSenior project manager| ENTE PATRIMONIALE CHIESA GESU' CRISTO SUGFino Mornasco, Como, Italy
Hi Sylvain,
let me make a clarification: PMI and PMBOK don't define a methodology by a body of knowledge that are needed for a excellent Pm practice.
The fundamental concept is the tailoring: you are not supposed to apply all element indicated in the PMBOK but only these ones which are needed for your project. In other words for little projects the project management could be simplified respect a bigger one; they can have phases or not, this is not the matter.
The most important issue is that you should work in the five process areas DURING the project life cycle. Process areas are "iterative elements" which you should consider and use during the project for adjusting it to the new elements known regardless the project is divided in phases or not
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1 reply by Markus Kopko
Jan 21, 2016 4:31 AM
Markus Kopko
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Thanx fosco, couldn't agree more.
btw PMBoK Guide and PRINCE can't really be compared imho ...
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Tu as reçu beaucoup de bonnes explications, Sylvain. Tu sembles être à l'aise en anglais. Laisse-moi savoir si tu veux une explication en français. Si tu veux simplement poser des questions en français, je peux t'aider.
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1 reply by Markus Kopko
Jan 21, 2016 4:31 AM
Markus Kopko
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I do not understand a word ... ;)
Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Jan 20, 2016 7:14 PM
Replying to fosco frongia
...
Hi Sylvain,
let me make a clarification: PMI and PMBOK don't define a methodology by a body of knowledge that are needed for a excellent Pm practice.
The fundamental concept is the tailoring: you are not supposed to apply all element indicated in the PMBOK but only these ones which are needed for your project. In other words for little projects the project management could be simplified respect a bigger one; they can have phases or not, this is not the matter.
The most important issue is that you should work in the five process areas DURING the project life cycle. Process areas are "iterative elements" which you should consider and use during the project for adjusting it to the new elements known regardless the project is divided in phases or not
Thanx fosco, couldn't agree more.
btw PMBoK Guide and PRINCE can't really be compared imho ... Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Jan 20, 2016 7:53 PM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
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Tu as reçu beaucoup de bonnes explications, Sylvain. Tu sembles être à l'aise en anglais. Laisse-moi savoir si tu veux une explication en français. Si tu veux simplement poser des questions en français, je peux t'aider.
I do not understand a word ... ;)
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jan 21, 2016 4:36 AM
Rami Kaibni
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He was addressing Sylvain and telling him that he received many good explanations and asking him if he wants any explanation in French or if he wants to raise any question in French, he can help him.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 21, 2016 4:31 AM
Replying to Markus Kopko
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I do not understand a word ... ;)
He was addressing Sylvain and telling him that he received many good explanations and asking him if he wants any explanation in French or if he wants to raise any question in French, he can help him.
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2 replies by Rebecca Braglio and fosco frongia
Jan 21, 2016 4:40 AM
fosco frongia
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do you speak french?
Jan 21, 2016 2:20 PM
Rebecca Braglio
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Thank you so much Rami for helping out on this! Truly appreciate the kindness.
Saving Changes...
fosco frongiaSenior project manager| ENTE PATRIMONIALE CHIESA GESU' CRISTO SUGFino Mornasco, Como, Italy
Le moment d’étudier français c’est arrivé :)
basically Stephane is proposing to Sylvain to explain the matter in French Saving Changes...
fosco frongiaSenior project manager| ENTE PATRIMONIALE CHIESA GESU' CRISTO SUGFino Mornasco, Como, Italy
Jan 21, 2016 4:36 AM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
He was addressing Sylvain and telling him that he received many good explanations and asking him if he wants any explanation in French or if he wants to raise any question in French, he can help him.
do you speak french?
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jan 21, 2016 4:47 AM
Rami Kaibni
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I studied in a French school (Colleges Des Freres) but that was long time ago so I forgot a lot but I can still speak (Intermediate) and I mostly understand everything I hear or read but writing not that good anymore although I am practicing.
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