Every project goes through a life cycle, which defines how the project is structured from start to finish. Selecting the right life cycle and development approach is essential because it shapes how work is planned, executed, and delivered. The choice depends on the project’s goals, complexity, risk level, and stakeholder needs.
1. Project Life Cycle
The project life cycle represents the series of phases a project passes through. Common types include:
- Predictive (Waterfall): Work is planned in detail upfront, and phases follow a fixed sequence. Best for projects with well-defined requirements, like construction.
- Iterative/Incremental: Work is delivered in cycles, refining outputs with each iteration. Useful when requirements are evolving.
- Adaptive (Agile): Work is delivered in short, flexible cycles (sprints). Best for projects with high uncertainty, like software development.
- Hybrid: A mix of predictive and adaptive approaches, applied where different parts of the project have different levels of uncertainty.
2. Development Approach Selection
The development approach focuses on how the project’s product, service, or result will be created and delivered.
- Influenced by stakeholder expectations, project size, industry, and risks.
- The chosen approach must balance flexibility, speed, and control to deliver value efficiently.
Why it matters:
Selecting the right life cycle and development approach ensures the project is managed in a way that matches its unique environment. The wrong choice could lead to wasted resources, delays, or unmet expectations, while the right choice increases adaptability, efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction.
In simple terms: The life cycle is the project’s roadmap, and the development approach is the vehicle you choose to drive it.
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