Page 34 - DMGT521_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 2: The Project Life Cycle

Projects related to special events, such as an annual conference or a sporting event, make use of Notes
the extended life cycle.
When making a case for a new project, part of the work includes the choice of life cycle to use in
order to achieve its goal and objectives. If an organisation has been using projects for some time,
it is likely that it has developed a particular life cycle for the kinds of project that are approved.
The simplest way to classify projects is by industry: for example, construction, mechanical
engineering, software development, banking or health care.

Task Give an example of extended life cycle.
At the same time, it is also possible to think of projects in terms of their outcomes, which might
be some form of product or service. However, the outcome of many projects has been a
combination of products and services. For example, the National Health Service in the UK has
sponsored a project for a new service that allows general practitioners to make hospital
appointments for their patients in real time (service). In order to achieve the project’s objectives,
a new software application (product) was developed. Hence, we might consider that one way to
classify a project is according to the particular result or outcome that we want to achieve. In
addition, it is also reasonable to include a consideration of the means by which the desired
outcome is to be achieved. By combining a consideration of means and ends (answering
the how? and the what? questions) for a project, there would be four classes of project according
to how much is known about what you are trying to achieve and how you are going to achieve it.

In practice, the two extremes permit a simple qualitative assignment of a project into one of four
classes. The use of a metaphor for each class of project helps stakeholders engage in it, which
Obeng (2003) employs as follows:

Table 2.1: Types of a Project

Type of project Description Example
Painting by numbers Most stakeholders are sure of what to do Housing construction by a well-
and how it is to be done. The project established building firm
proceeds linearly and sequentially.
Going on a quest Most stakeholders are sure of what to do, Outcome based on prototypes
but are rather unsure about how to achieve (like research and development)
it. The project proceeds concurrently and
converges according to particular deadlines.
Making a movie Most stakeholders are very sure of how to Developing new products for
do the work, but not so sure about what is the market
to be done. The project proceeds through a
number of checkpoints where clarification
is sought before moving on.
Walking (or lost) in Most stakeholders are unsure of both what Doing something new for the
the fog is to be done and how it is to be carried out. first time such as a quality or
The project proceeds with care, ‘one step at process improvement
a time’. programme

Such a means of project classification is associated with the two main perspectives that are used
to evaluate whether or not a project is successful.

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