Ciclo de Vida de un Proyecto: Desde el Inicio al Cierre

All things are created twice, first in the mind and then in reality. Projects are no exception. Project professionals are continually visualizing how the outcome will work after transitioning it to operations.

If we had to build the super laboratory from the famous series Breaking Bad , during the course of the project, we would be imagining scenes like this:

Going back into that future, we continually imagine the decisive moment of the project , when the project ends and the operation begins, that is, the moment of transition:

In any type of project, whether predictive, hybrid or agile, it is effective for all people involved (team members, project manager, program manager, portfolio manager, PMO, functional manager, sponsor, requester, and the rest of interested parties) know how to distinguish which management phase the project is in .

A project is a temporary effort undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result . Another, more up-to-date, meaning defines projects as temporary efforts to transform ideas into reality .

An agile (= adaptive = value-oriented = change-friendly) project is one in which, by its very nature, most of the requirements cannot be made clear at the beginning, but must be developed progressively based on continuous feedback from the stakeholders ( = value ) who regularly attend practical demonstrations to review the increases towards the final result. Stakeholders can request changes at any time, even late in the project. Changes are welcome if they mean more value for the customer. It ends up delivering the best possible result, given the pre-allocated resources and the time available.

A predictive project (= process-oriented = planning-oriented) is defined as opposed to an agile project. That is, most of the requirements, after compilation work, can be sufficiently clear from the beginning, so that an agreement can be reached on them, and then a professional planning of deadlines, costs, resources, etc. can be prepared. . We work to deliver by delivering the result that satisfies the pre-agreed requirements.

A hybrid project is one that combines predictive and agile phases.

Professional project management standards distinguish 5 groups of project management processes :

• Start : Define the new project or phase by obtaining authorization to begin.
• Planning : Establish the scope of the project, refine the objectives and define the course of action required to achieve the proposed objectives.
• Execution : Complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy the requirements.
• Monitoring and Control : Track, analyze and regulate the progress and performance of the project. Identify areas where the plan requires changes. Start the corresponding changes.
• Closing : Complete or formally close a project, phase or contract.

The execution and control processes are carried out at the same time, since it is controlled based on evidence of the work being executed, and the decisions made when controlling result in new actions that must be executed. The rest of the process groups, except start and stop, usually overlap.

• To make the decision whether the project should be approved or not ( initiation ), it is sometimes necessary to calculate how long it will last or cost, or what main risks should be assumed ( planning ), or it is necessary to carry out feasibility tests, or proofs of concept. , involving resources that cost money and must meet milestones ( execution and control ).
• While the project is being executed , new information, or more detailed information, is discovered that allows planning to be improved .
• It is also common that, during formal closure , the need to carry out rework arises.

Dentro de las organizaciones, las personas involucradas en el gobierno de los proyectos no suelen distinguir los detalles técnicos de gestión que tenemos en cuenta los profesionales de proyectos. No siendo expertos en gestión de proyectos, sí entienden perfectamente que los proyectos pueden dividirse en fases técnicas, al final de las cuales se transiciona un producto, servicio o resultado final, y dan la oportunidad de cancelar el proyecto si no se consiguen los objetivos previstos (phase gates).