Brief Summary
This video explains the concept of project phases and how they relate to the project life cycle. It emphasizes that projects can be divided into multiple phases, each with its own objectives, deliverables, and formal closure. The video also discusses the different types of relationships between project phases, including sequential, overlapping, and parallel.
- Projects can be divided into multiple phases, each with its own objectives, deliverables, and formal closure.
- Project phases can be sequential, overlapping, or parallel, depending on the project's risk appetite and schedule requirements.
Project Phases: Eating an Elephant One Bite at a Time
The video starts by comparing managing a complex project to eating an elephant. Just as you would eat an elephant one bite at a time, you can break down a complex project into smaller, manageable phases. This approach helps project managers better control the project's deliverables and objectives.
Project Phases: A Logical Division of Work
The video explains that project phases are a logical division of the project work. Each phase has a distinct focus and specific deliverables. For example, a construction project might be divided into design, construction, and occupancy phases. The design phase focuses on creating plans and drawings, the construction phase focuses on building the structure, and the occupancy phase focuses on commissioning the building systems and handing over the project to the owner.
Project Phases: Deliverables and Objectives
Each phase has specific deliverables and objectives that must be achieved. For example, the design phase will deliver schematic drawings, plans, and a bill of quantities. The construction phase will deliver the completed structure, and the occupancy phase will deliver commissioning reports and other paperwork for the owner's possession. At the end of each phase, the deliverables are transferred to the subsequent phase.
Project Phases: Formal Closure and Stage Gates
The video explains that each phase has a formal closure, which is often referred to as a stage gate, milestone, or kill point. At this point, the project is reassessed for its continuation or termination based on its overall performance and circumstances.
Project Management Process Groups in Each Phase
The video emphasizes that the complete set of project management process groups (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing) can be repeated for every phase within the project. This means that each phase will go through all five process groups, ensuring a structured and comprehensive approach to project management.
Project Phases and Project Life Cycle
The video clarifies that project phases are elements of the project life cycle. The project life cycle is defined as the series of phases that a project passes through. The video also highlights that there is no standard or rule on how to set a project life cycle or define project phases. The number and names of phases can vary depending on the project's unique aspects, such as its outcome, technology, organization, and preferences.
Project Phases vs. Process Groups
The video emphasizes the difference between project phases and process groups. It explains that projects can be single-phase or multiphase. For single-phase projects, all project management process groups are executed at once. For multiphase projects, the complete set of process groups is repeated in every phase. The level of detail and emphasis on each process group may vary for each phase in the project life cycle.
Phase-to-Phase Relationships
The video discusses the different types of relationships between project phases: sequential, overlapping, and parallel. In a sequential relationship, a phase must be completed before the next phase can begin. In an overlapping relationship, phases can overlap each other. In a parallel relationship, phases can run concurrently. The type of relationship chosen depends on the project's risk appetite and schedule requirements.
Sequential Phase Relationship
The video explains that a sequential phase relationship reduces risks and uncertainties because work is done sequentially. This approach also reduces the probability of rework because the phases are well-aligned for the transfer of deliverables. However, it limits options for speeding up the project.
Overlapping Phase Relationship
The video explains that an overlapping phase relationship allows phases to overlap each other, which can speed up the project. However, it increases risks because the construction phase may start before the final design is available, potentially leading to rework.
Parallel Phase Relationship
The video explains that projects can have a combination of sequential, overlapping, and parallel phase relationships, depending on the project's risk appetite and schedule requirements.
