All projects, from product development to construction, follow a certain pattern of work known as a life cycle. The Association for Project Management (APM) defines a life cycle as a framework for creating a set of distinct, high-level stages to transform an idea or concept into reality in an orderly and efficient manner. In contrast to the actual phases of project management, life cycles are a systematic way to complete project-based work. In other words, a life cycle is not what you do, but how you do it.
There are four main types of project life cycles, ranging from highly structured to highly adaptable. There is no one right life cycle for any given project – choosing the right life cycle depends on the specifics of each project deliverable and each client.
Also known as the waterfall method or the linear life cycle, the predictive life cycle is the most structured of the various project life cycle frameworks. The predictive life cycle model consists of five phases: initiation, planning, execution, performance and monitoring, and closing. Every aspect of a project — including the schedule, scope, and cost — is defined before starting the project, and the project team works to execute the plan as defined and minimize modifications.
The predictive life cycle is highly structured, predictable, and stable throughout the life of the project. Project teams move through each phase in a linear progression and only move onto the next phase once the previous phase has been completed. Each phase is completed only once, and at the end of the project, a single product or service is delivered to the client. The predictive life cycle is best suited for projects that are relatively straightforward and have clearly defined deliverables.
Similar to the predictive life cycle model, the iterative life cycle defines the project up front, includes the same five phases of project management, and delivers a single product or service at the end of the project. The difference between the two approaches is that in the iterative life cycle, each phase is performed as many times as necessary to achieve the best possible product or service for the client.
The main goal of the iterative life cycle is to develop a basic working model of the product or service at the beginning, and then use each phase to incorporate customer feedback, add product features, and accommodate changes in scope, cost, or schedule. Because the iterative process allows the objectives to evolve as the project unfolds, this project life cycle is best suited for projects that have an unpredictable scope and where the main goal is to deliver the best possible solution to the client.
The incremental life cycle splits one large project into several smaller pieces. The project team moves through each project management phase once for each small piece (increment) of the larger project.
The increments of the project are delivered to the client as they are completed so the client can provide feedback. The scope of the project is still determined early on in the life cycle, but the project team will frequently modify the estimated costs and schedule as the project progresses. Finally, each increment is combined into the final product and delivered to the client. The incremental life cycle is well-suited for projects where the speed of delivery to the client is the highest priority.
The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) template from Spreadsheet.com is a great tool to use when implementing the incremental life cycle, because it allows you to easily split large projects into smaller increments.
The agile life cycle, also known as the adaptive or change-driven life cycle, is a combination of the iterative and incremental life cycles. The agile life cycle begins with the initiation phase, followed by the planning, execution, and control phases that occur in as many iterations as necessary. After each iteration, a finished product is delivered to the client, and feedback from the client then informs the development of the next iteration and increment. This process continues until the client is completely satisfied with the product or service, at which point the closing phase occurs.
The agile life cycle responds well to high levels of change — not just in scope of the project but also in the expected deliverables. As such, the agile life cycle is well-suited for projects that are highly unpredictable and where the client has regular feedback and wants each project component delivered as soon as possible. The Agile Sprint with Kanban Board Template is ideal for managing projects with an agile life cycle.
The project manager is responsible for deciding which life cycle will work best for an individual project and organization to best meet the client’s needs. When deciding which life cycle to use, consider the scope of the project, the level of client involvement during the different project phases, and the final product or service desired by the client. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) can provide additional guidance on life cycles and project management. Whichever life cycle you choose for your project, Spreadsheet.com has powerful project management templates and tools to help you implement your project successfully.
