Project Life Cycle Introduction and Overview © Ed Green Penn State University All Rights Reserved

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction2 Topics What is a project? What is project management? What is a project life cycle? How does this apply to information technology projects?

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction3 What is a project? A unique and specific undertaking to produce a set of deliverables within clearly specified time, cost and quality constraints.* Operational activity – repetitive set of actions consistent with the conduct of business TraitProjectOperational Activity UniqueYesNo Time scaleDefinedPlanned BudgetPlannedFixed ResourcesPlannedAssigned RiskConsideredMinimal ChangeBenefitsNone * Westland, page 2 Comparison

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction4 What is project management? The skills, tools and management processes required to undertake a project successfully.* Skills – knowledge and ability Tools – “things” used in applying skills Processes – how skills are applied and tools are used Effective assignment and application of resources to accomplish work within assigned constraints The ability to adjust to circumstance Change factors * Westland, page 2

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction5 What is a project life cycle? Phases, activities, and tasks needed to execute the work associated with a project Westland – Initiation Planning Execution Closure Traditional – Definition Analysis Planning Conduct Closure

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction6 The Project Life Cycle * Westland, page 4, Figure 1-2 Define what is to be done and what is to be produced Define how the work is to be done, what is to be used, and who is be assigned Execute the plan – do the work keeping abreast of situational impact Review the experience and the results; concentrate on “lessons learned”

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction7 Project Initiation Process The steps involved in start up 1.State the business problem 2.Explain the business reasons to solve 3.Identify what is propose 1.Determine “doability” 2.Determine affordability 1.Establish scope 2.Establish Constraints 3.Define boundary conditions 4.State objectives 1.Determine needed skills 2.Assess available resources 3.Define training needs 4.Identify recruiting needs 5.Name the team 1.Appoint project leadership 1.Project Manager 2.Chief Engineer 3.Team leaders 2.Establish a project work area 1.Conduct a reality check 2.Obtain approval to proceed 1.Go/No go decision * Westland, overview slides, # 8

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction8 Project Planning Process Detailed planning of the work to be performed Create a set of plans that address the critical success components of a project Work Labor Materials Money Satisfaction/goodness Risks/mitigations Determine/document customer’s satisfaction requirements Determine/document plan To communicate project status and needs 1.Review procurement requirements 2.Develop acquisition plan 3.Initiate procurement 1.Conduct a reality check 2.Obtain approval to proceed 1.Go/No go decision * Westland, overview slides, # 10

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction9 Project Execution Process Constructing the project deliverables Communications Management Acceptance Management Change Management Procurement Management Quality Management Issue Management Cost Management Time Management Perform Phase Review Build Deliverables Monitor & Control Risk Management

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction10 Project Closure Review the experience Work and associated quality Team performance Cost experience Risk experience Procurement experience Discuss lessons learned Release dedicated resources Create the archive Final report to management Thank the team!

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction11 Information Technology Projects Several different types Software projects Hardware projects Combination (hardware & software) projects New development projects COTS integration projects Software maintenance projects And, each is different with its own nuances

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction12 Information Technology Projects Common Phases Problem Definition & Analysis Solution Summary Requirements Analysis Documentation Test & Acceptance Implementation Project Conduct

8/16/2015 Project Life Cycle - Overview & Introduction13 Project Conduct Depends on the type of project Software different from hardware Development different from COTS Combination projects share some but not necessarily all aspects Maintenance is just different