What are the phase to project management? Which phase is the most important and why?

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psaxena

  • Jul 23rd, 2008
 

There are 5 processes and 9 knowledge areas.
Processes are : Integration, Planning, Executing, Montoring and Control, Closing.

Knowledge areas are : Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, HR, Communications, Risk, Procurement.

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Depending on the lifecycle methodology in use for the project, they could be
initiation, planning, execution, control and close (Waterfall etc.), or concept,
inception, elaboration, construction and transition (RUP), or project
preparation, blueprint, realization, final preparation and go live and support
(SAP ASAP) etc.


In my opinion, the most important phase of a project is the “current” phase
of the project – whichever phase the project is currently in. Here is the reason
why.


First, I will take the example of one random phase – say inception, or
planning – where we plan the entire project. If the project is not planned
right, core requirements identified, project teams assembled, or funds secured,
or next phase not planned properly or any of the other tasks not executed right,
the entire project could fail. Therefore, at this time of project execution,
this phase is the most important phase.


Now, let’s move on to the next phase of the project. While elaboration or
execution or realization efforts are going on, if those efforts and task
included in those phase are not executed correctly, or next phase is not planned
correctly, no amount of success in the previous phase would matter. The project
would still fail.


Same is the case with construction, or transition or go live. If we don’t
construct the product right, or verify that the constructed product meets the
demand (requirements) or we don’t ensure the go live and support are successful,
the project is still termed as a failure.


Therefore, every phase is a building block and is just as critical for the
overall success of the project. Once a project starts, the project manager
cannot rest assured with one successful phase, that the entire project would be
a success. Once “every” phase of the project is successfully executed, once the
project is closed successfully, then the project is “successfully delivered”.
Therefore, the most important thing for a project manger to do is to concentrate
on the current phase, reevaluate previous phase’s planning efforts, and plan for
the next phase, handling current issues and mitigating future risks.

Paul V

  • Mar 1st, 2011
 

The most important phase of the project is the Inititiation phase. In this phase, a Project Charter should be created, which will make your project legitimate and formal.  Whatever you do in the project, if it does not have a project charter then your project sponsor will not support it and your effort will be useless.

Next to it is Planning. In here you will set all your guidelines and blueprint on how to make the project successful. A project management plan will guide you through the entire process of your project. It will be your reference on mitigating risk, balancing the cost, time and scope.

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In Project Management according to principals laid down by PMI USA there are five phases in a project. 1- Initiation, 2 - Planning, 3- Execution, 4- Monitoring and Control and finally 5- Closure phase.

Out of these planning phase is most important as you do lot of planning regarding project like how you going to implement, what is the scope, in scope deliverables, Risk planning, procurement, resource planning etc. without spending considerable time in planning phase the project success is very minimal.

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Navrinder

  • Aug 31st, 2012
 

Though all phases are important but Requirement Gathering and planning are most important

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Project Phases and Process Groups are two different things. Typical phases in any projects; Requirement Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing & Implementation/Deployment OR Starting the project, Organising and preparing, Carrying out the work & Closing. As per PMBOK, project phaeses are division within a project where extra control is needed to effectively manage deliverables.

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Ram

  • Apr 26th, 2013
 

I hope this is related to project. The phase of the project are not fixed and depends on the projects and the process a company follow. Normally in SDLC we have the following phases System Requirement Gathering, Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing and Maintenance. Each stage has its own importance but the most critical are Requirement Gathering and Analysis which decides the scope of the project. If it is down thoroughly it will reduce the chances of scope changes which is the major concern

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Dave Smith

  • Jun 24th, 2014
 

According to PMI, there are 5 PM phases:

Initiate, Planning, Execute, Monitor & Control, and Close.

These do not directly align with SDLC phases because the PM phases can be iterative and probably repetitive. There is no industry standard as to which phase is the most important as they all are VERY IMPORTANT. However, the PMP exam weights the Execute phase more than the others so if I had to absolutely cast a vote, then I would say Execute.

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