Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
To stir this up a little bit: actually PMBoK Guide defines a generic lifecycle structure in 2.4.1. with 4 phases:
• Starting the project,
• Organizing and preparing,
• Carrying out the project work,
• Closing the project.
It even says "All projects can be mapped to the following generic life cycle structure"
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1 reply by Michelle Daigle
Mar 21, 2016 7:39 PM
Michelle Daigle
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Hi Thomas,
And section 2.4.2 states "There is no single ideal structure that will apply to all projects". Generic helps in absence of a specific need, and would make a good default template I think :)
To stir this up a little bit: actually PMBoK Guide defines a generic lifecycle structure in 2.4.1. with 4 phases:
• Starting the project,
• Organizing and preparing,
• Carrying out the project work,
• Closing the project.
It even says "All projects can be mapped to the following generic life cycle structure"
Hi Thomas,
And section 2.4.2 states "There is no single ideal structure that will apply to all projects". Generic helps in absence of a specific need, and would make a good default template I think :) Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Well,
I agree that PMBoK does not mandate a single life cycle for projects.
What it says though that all life cycles can be MAPPED against the generic lifecycle of 4 phases. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Mar 22, 2016 3:03 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Well,
I agree that PMBoK does not mandate a single life cycle for projects.
What it says though that all life cycles can be MAPPED against the generic lifecycle of 4 phases.
Thomas - agree
The PMBOK Guide does not mandate and cannot mandate because Project Life Cycles has to be custom fit to organizational needs and type/class of project.
The reason I posted this question was to generate discussions since many thinks:
1. That the process groups are the project life cycle, which is not correct
2. That the PM decides the project life cycle; on the surface, this is OK but that means there is no organizational system, since if there is an organizational project management system, one of the first things that should be defined is a project life cycle for the various types and classes of project.
I know you know this - so my message is for those who do not know the above.
Regards Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Fully agree, Mounir, and you are a champion for this.
One of the reasons why people are misunderstanding process groups with phases is that they are desperately looking for help with a phased approach.
We are usually telling them, sorry, PMBoK says it's up to you.
I think with that generic project life cycle structure we can give them a super-imposed frame, which might help them. Saving Changes...
depending upon the size and complexity of deliverable/s, sponsor/s in consultation with PMC if any decides the no. of phases. Saving Changes...
Sylvain CarrierRetired| Canadian Forces and Government of CanadaOttawa, Ontario, Canada
I know that Mounir was "setting a trap" for us as he and I have exchanged on the matter previously. (Mounir is probably the reference on the subject)
In my federal department, we have settled the issue many years ago and have a standard project management framework that everyone must follow. It is scalable but project managers have no leeway about the process. This is important in a public service organization that gets a lot of scrutiny.
I know that Mounir was "setting a trap" for us as he and I have exchanged on the matter previously. (Mounir is probably the reference on the subject)
In my federal department, we have settled the issue many years ago and have a standard project management framework that everyone must follow. It is scalable but project managers have no leeway about the process. This is important in a public service organization that gets a lot of scrutiny.
Sylvain - LOL you caught me on this one. Thank you for the compliment.
You are right, I wanted to generate discussion without sharing my opinion first. I like to do this sometime to allow free thinking and debate.
Regards Saving Changes...
Patrick DiceyManager, Customer Project Management| CentralSquare TechnologiesOrlando, Fl, United States
Mounir,
Are you talking about SDLC phases? This could be guided by the industry, customer, or organizational requirements in some cases (such as DOD). PM ultimately decides how to implement the project successfully. If the desired strategy contradicts with external requirements, they would need to seek approvals and buy-in through stakeholder management processes.
Cheers,
Patrick Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Hello Patrick
I understand the term phase could be confusing but in general, and most common use in project management it means the phases of the project life cycles (how to split a project life cycle from idea to closure).
In some cases, people use the term phase to mean sub-project or geographic split --- like phase 1 we do the mall and phase 2 we do the businesses around it.
Here, I am talking about the project life cycle.
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1 reply by Patrick Dicey
May 06, 2016 3:53 PM
Patrick Dicey
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Thanks for clarifying, my initial response was in-line with your question then. Hope it helps!
