Anatomy of a project

Overview

Each project is different. Some are short and easy to make. Others are large and complex. Most fall somewhere between these two extremes. and although each project is unique, they all have certain features in common. Each project has a life cycle that is similar to the others, starting from an idea, evolving through its development and ending with the delivery of a finished product or service. A product also has a life cycle that intertwines with – although it is different from – the project life cycle. 

All projects generally have similar phases, such as initiation, planning and design, production or completion. Everything is clear, but how do the phases of a project depend on the stages of its life cycle? Do the natural phases of the project affect the way it is managed? and what kind of project management processes should be applied to the different phases? These are all key questions that project managers ask themselves. 

This course answers these questions and more. Its purpose is to give project managers and project team members a correct understanding of the nature of projects, how they are structured and how these structures affect how they are managed. Specifically, the course introduces the concepts of project life cycle, product life cycle, project phases, and project management process groups. The course also provides a detailed view of how project phases interact with each other and with elements of the project life cycle. The course introduces these concepts through many examples of small or large projects. Students will also learn more about an essential source of information for project management specialists: the Institute of Project Management (PMI®) and the Essential Guide to Project Management Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – the fourth edition published by PMI®. The course will identify key concepts and terms for project management, review the PMBOK® guide and project management disciplines. 

This course provides an up-to-date knowledge and information base on project management, so that students will be able to apply what they have learned successfully in their organizations. This course can be used as a support in the learning process for the student who wants to obtain the PMBOK® certification. This course is in accordance with the PMBOK® Guide – Fourth Edition, published by PMI®, Inc., 2008. All rights reserved. The materials in this publication have been published with permission from PMI®. 

Target Audience 

Existing project managers who want to be certified to have their skills and experience recognized and others who want to prepare to become accredited project managers.

Objectives 

• Anatomy of a project 
• Understand the characteristics of the project life cycle 
• Identify the statements that describe the relationship between the project and the product life cycles 
• Identify the defining features of the project phases 
• Understand the relationship between the project phases and the project life cycle 
• Choose the statements that describe the repetitive nature of project management process groups 
• Understand the relationship between project life cycles, product life cycles, project phases, and process groups.