The Project Management Tool Kit, 3rd Edition

GENERAL PROCESS

57

Project Life Cycle

	What:	Establishing and using a designed, common structure to enhance project oversight.
	When:	Set in project initiation and used throughout planning and execution.
	Results:	Enhanced project control and coordination with related projects.

Define Life Cycle Requirements

Even small, informal projects will have a few key milestone events to mark the flow of work that represents a simple life cycle. The Project Management Institute's PMBOK^® process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) can be thought of as an informal, high-level life cycle, as Figure 57.1 shows.

Figure 57.1. PMBOK^® process groups.

Larger, more complex projects generally will benefit ...