The 4 phases of the project management life cycle are very important for project managers. It is a 4 step framework that is designed to help the project managers come up with the best solutions for completing their projects on time. It also helps the project managers to keep track of their projects effectively processing them.
Managing a project is not easy no matter if it is teamwork for individual performance. It is very difficult to keep a track of the project. Sometimes monitoring the project becomes very hectic. To avoid all the inconveniences that can be faced in the project management, 4 phases of the project management life cycle play an important role to keep a track of everything. This can not only make the work of project managers can be named but also improve the performance of the organization.
The 4 phases of the project management life cycle Is a step-by-step approach to manage the projects easily. it is practiced in the organization by the project managers. We will discuss the four phases of project management step by step in the given section.
1. The initiation stage:
The first stage in the 4 phases of the project management life cycle is called the initiation stage. It has to be planned very carefully because everything that starts well ends well. The whole project depends on how the initiation stage has been carried out by the project managers.
In the initiation stage 4 basic things that the project managers have to understand before starting the project. If it is teamwork these Four Points of the initiation stage also explain to all the team members. Before getting clarified about the Four Points of the initiation stage the process cannot proceed. The main aspects of the initiation stage are
Goals: It is very important to understand the goals of the project. The project managers should be cleared about the goals they are seeking after completing the project. They should also motivate the team members about the goals.
This is an effective manner to work properly within a direction. Having a clear goal about the project also helps in completing the task effectively on time. It keeps the workers motivated about the outcomes of the project because they are already aware of what they are seeking from the project.
Priorities: The second thing the initiation stage outlines is the priorities that have to be kept in mind while working on the project. Keeping the priorities in mind can help all the workers manage the project easily. They will have an idea about the things that have to be needed earlier on a priority basis. This can speed up the process of completing the project even before the deadline.
Deadlines: For every project, there is a deadline on which the project should be handed over to the head. If the project delays from the given deadline the company can face consequences which will be upon the project manager. This is the main step of the initiation stage because the deadline of the project has to be considered. This can allow the project managers to plan the project working process conveniently. It will also provide a direction to the entire team about the work they have to do on a daily basis within Limited hours. Division of the work is very important to meet the deadline of the project.
Risks of the project: Having a setback without being prepared for it can have crucial results. It is important to keep every risk of the project in mind and also provide a solution for it. In the time of any problem faced by the team or an individual related to the project, this solution will already be ready.
This can save the project manager from a lot of inconveniences. It is better to keep yourself aware of the benefits and risks of the project before starting it. It provides an upper hand to the project manager making them excel in their field.
These are the four components that have to be tackled in the initiation stage of the project. It is the initial beginning of the project which is why the project manager should be clear about these points.
2. The planning stage:
After the initiation stage, the next important step in the 4 phases of the project management life cycle is the planning stage. It is also very important because the project manager has to plan the entire project in an effective manner. If you have a perfect plan to perform a task only then it is possible to excel in it. Two important aspects have to be considered in the planning stage.
Tasks: the project manager has to outline all the tasks that he will be performing within the project. It will provide an idea about the things he has to do while tackling the project. If the project manager is working with a team, he can divide the tasks equally among the members of the team to proceed with the work faster. To know the task that has to be performed can speed up the process of working on the project very conveniently.
Timeline: Knowing the tasks is not enough alone, the project manager has to plan a timeline. It provides knowledge about when a task should be performed. It is important to perform all the activities at the right time to take the project in the right direction. The timeline for performing the task is important to keep track of the activities that have been done. It is also convenient to monitor the work process of the project.
3. The execution stage:
The execution stage can also be called the action stage. This is the time when the Plan has to be converted into action. The project manager has to according to the plan he has made for the project. Working upon a plan is quite easier than working in disorientation.
The project can be a huge success if the project manager takes to the plan he has made for the project management. The execution state is important because it is the working process of the project. In the execution stage, all the members working under the project manager have to work faster on the plan to make it a success in the form of a completed project.
4. The closure stage:
The last stage of the 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle Is the closure stage which has an importance of its own. It is also the analyzing stage of the project in which all the steps that have been done are analyzed by the entire team to check the performance within the project.
The product manager also takes a critical look at the entire project to resolve any issues related to the project. Most of the mistakes are corrected within this stage before presenting the final project in front of the head. Three aspects have to be checked within the closure stage.
Analyzing their results: Completing the project comes with results that have been set as goals in the initiation stage. The project manager has to keep a check of the results that he was seeking from the project. He has to analyze the results of the project and make amendments in case of any mistakes.
Summarizing the key learnings: While presenting the project before the head, it is important to have a summary of the project. There is not enough time to explain the whole project in front of the head because he has a lot of other things to deal with. The project manager has to summarize all the key leanings of the project so that it can be explained conveniently within less time.
There should be a separate list of key points from the project that has to be presented as a summary in front of any organizational board. This will provide the listener with an idea about the project. One thing that a project manager must keep in mind is that the entire project should be summarized in the key leanings. There shouldn't be any point missed because it can provide less information about the project to the listener or viewer.
Planning of next steps: The project manager should plan the next steps. He has to present the project in front of the entire team which is why he should be ready for the questions coming his way. Planning of the presenting session is important which is done in the closure stage of the 4 phases of the project management life cycle.
Final Thoughts:
4 phases of the project management life cycle are very important to keep track of the projects within organizations. All the four steps that need to be tackled by the project manager are discussed in detail in the above-mentioned text. It will help get an idea about how the projects are managed by the project managers. It also provides information about all the things that have to be kept in mind before signing up for a project.
