THE PROJECT PROCESS

The process of project management is universally structured into five key phases that guide a project from conception to completion. These phases help ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards

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1. Initiation

• Define the project’s purpose, goals, and feasibility.

• Develop a business case, project charter, and identify stakeholders.

• Establish high-level requirements, constraints, and appoint a project manager.

• Outcome: Project charter and stakeholder register

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2. Planning

• Create a detailed roadmap including scope, tasks, timelines, budget, and resources.

• Develop supporting documents: work breakdown structure (WBS), communication plan, risk management plan, and resource allocation plan.

• Assign roles, responsibilities, and set milestones.

• Planning is iterative; plans may be revisited and refined throughout the project

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3. Execution

• Carry out the project plan and produce deliverables.

• Assign resources, manage teams, and maintain stakeholder communication.

• Conduct status meetings, update schedules, and adapt plans as needed.

• Execution and monitoring often occur simultaneously

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4. Monitoring and Controlling

• Track project progress against the plan using key performance indicators (KPIs) and critical success factors (CSFs).

• Manage scope, schedule, costs, quality, and risks.

• Make adjustments as necessary to keep the project on track.

• This phase runs concurrently with execution to ensure alignment with objectives

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5. Closure

• Finalize all project activities and deliverables.

• Obtain stakeholder acceptance, release resources, and close contracts.

• Conduct post-project reviews and document lessons learned.

• Archive project documentation for future reference

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