The HBR Guides Collection (8 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

3

Chapter 1

The Four Phases

of Project

Management

Whether you’re in charge of developing a website, design-

ing a car, moving a department to a new facility, updating

an information system, or just about any other project

(large or small), you’ll go through the same four phases:

planning, build-up, implementation, and closeout. Even

though the phases have distinct qualities, they overlap.

For example, you’ll typically begin planning with a ball-

park budget fi gure and an estimated completion date.

Once you’re in the build-up and implementation phases,

you’ll defi ne and begin to execute the details of the proj-

ect plan. That will give you new information, ...