Project Life Cycle

Projects typically go through several phases – from the initial idea and initiation through planning and implementation to closing. A consistently structured project life cycle helps assign tasks and important milestones to the respective project phases and makes the current stage of a project transparent.

Define project phases

First, define the phases a project should go through. Depending on the project type and approach, these phases can be structured differently. A project life cycle can, for example, consist of the phases Idea, Initiation, Planning, Implementation, and Closing.

The important thing is to use a consistent phase structure for comparable projects.

Structure tasks and milestones by project phase

In smenso, the individual project phases can, for example, be structured using folders. The corresponding tasks are assigned to the respective phase.

Important transitions or results of a phase can additionally be represented as milestones. For example, the approval of the project plan can mark the transition from planning to implementation.

Indicate the current project phase using a Flavor

In addition to the task structure, the current phase of a project can be maintained using a Flavor in the project master data. A list Flavor Projektphase can, for example, contain the values 1 – Initiierung, 2 – Planung, 3 – Durchführung, and 4 – Abschluss.

This makes the current project phase available as separate project information that can be maintained consistently.

Best Practice

• Use a consistent phase structure for comparable projects.
• Assign tasks and important results to the respective project phases.
• Use milestones for important transitions, approvals, or completion points within the project life cycle.
• Maintain the current project phase using a Flavor if it is needed as separate project information.
• Adapt the number and names of the phases to the requirements of the respective project type.