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MECH 471: Introduction to Project Management

Session 2.2: Project and Product Management Lifecycles

Shaligram Pokharel, PhD

Professor
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Qatar University
Fall 2023

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Agenda

• Recap
• What is project lifecycle?
• What are project phases?
• What are the general outcomes at the end of each phase?
• Product Lifecycle and Project Lifecycle

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Project lifecycle

Implement Test,
Work on
actions to complete
project
deliver the and
charter Work on project handover
project project
management
plan

Business case approved; Project needs to be done

Alternatives might have already developed and examined
At the pre-project stage (phase), a project may be selected without knowing much details.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

Source: Project management body of knowledge 2017
 Starting the project (Initiation)

• The chosen project is examined for any changes

• There might have been changes in some minor objectives, technology, financial
status, timelines, milestones, outcomes,
• what to make and what to buy (Sabah Al Ahmad Bridge)
• New risks might have appeared
• For example, COVID-19
• May be there is a new rule, new government department, or a new owner
• Therefore, project proposal is to be revisited based on the new criteria to
formalize the project
• This type of work is called project Initiation and the goal is to develop project Initial
Scope Document
• If this is approved, then it is called a project charter.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Project are concluded with five process groups in four phases

Initial Scope
Document,
when
approved:
becomes
project
charter

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

Source: Project management body of knowledge 2008
 Initiation

(does not mean relative timing)

It should have at least

Initiating

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Lifecycle timeline depends on the type of the project

Like small software projects

Initiation Planning Execution Closing
Like infrastructures projects,
Initiation Planning Execution Closing roads, gas turbine for
electricity

Like hydro and nuclear power

Initiation Planning Execution Closing projects

Initiation Planning Execution Closing A water project that I know,

(3 years) (2 years) (5 years) (1-2 yrs) expected

Initiation Planning (in) Execution Closing Until now.. expected

(3 years)
(8 years) (Expected 13-14 yrs: Initial 5 years) (1-2 yrs)

Feasibility
Flooding of the river
Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel
Extended more years!
 https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2020/07/12/melamchi-dream-come-true/
Project timeline: large projects can take time
Business case

Initiation
Planning

Execution

New deadline 2024 for closing?

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel
 Before and after. headworks

https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2021/03/31/helambu-rural-
municipality-accuses-melamchi-water-supply-project-of-non-payment-of-local-
tax
https://english.nepalpress.com/2021/07/01/melamchi-water-supply-to-not-resume-before-
Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel dashain/
 The process groups

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Processes performed by process groups

• Initiating Process Group.

• to define a new project or a new phase of an existing project by obtaining authorization to
start the project or phase.
• Planning Process Group.
• to establish the scope of the project, refine the objectives, and define the course of action
required to attain the objectives that the project was undertaken to achieve.
• Executing Process Group.
• to complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy the project
specifications.
• Monitoring and Controlling Process Group.
• to track, review, and regulate the progress and performance of the project; identify any
areas in which changes to the plan are required; and initiate the corresponding changes.
• Closing Process Group.
• to finalize all activities across all Process Groups to formally close the project or phase.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

Source: Project management body of knowledge
 Phases of project lifecycle may not be sequential

• Part of another phase of project can start when ‘preceding phase’ is not
complete
• For example construction can start, even when the design of the project
is not complete
• Can you tell me if this was possible in Doha Pearl?

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Proper project management is necessary from day 1

Samsung Hub, 30 floors, S$320 m

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel 3-39 mm, tilt, 2 years to complete
 What about product and project lifecycle?

• Development of products and services to the final stage completes

project lifecycle
• Product lifecycle starts with the project to develop the need and to meet the
project objectives
• Product/service lifecycle, ends when products utility ends or product
becomes obsolete so that even if that is working properly, it becomes
inefficient in the face of new products and it needs to be retires
• Apple announced retirement of iPod in May 10 2022, was released in 2001

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Let us focus on management first

Project management Product management

• Unique product • Unique - yes
• Temporary process • Temporary- for one goal
• Requires costs • Requires costs - yes
• Requires resources • Requires resources- yes (specific ones)
• Requires risk management
• Requires risk management-yes
• Requires time-yes (but may be unknown)
• Requires time
• Objectives are clear- usually goals are clear
• Objectives are clear objectives may change in between
• Plans can be developed with relatively known • This will lead to a change in scope
information • Plans can be developed with relatively known
information
• Yes, but very little is known

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Project and Product Lifecycle: Ideal
Product management
Product development Product Use
Profit to the
company

Project Lifecycle

Loss to the
company

https://bmxunion.com/bmx-
Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel
frame-and-parts-guide/
 Project and Product Lifecycle: more actual

Product management
First version
of product
goes to the
market

Profit to the
company
Loss to the
company

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Product management is a continuous process

Product
management

Product 2
Product 1
goes to the
market

Product 3
Product management, either a change or a new
https://www.popsci.com/story/tech
product are continuously considered nology/cheap-expensive-bike-
difference/
Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel
 Can Engineers become Managers?

• The short answer is ‘yes’

• But the long answer is ‘may be’ or ‘not’
• There are reasons for that.
• Engineers are (or should be) precision oriented and managers should be holistic
oriented
• Engineers attempt to minimize risks and optimum use of resources but managers
foresee risks and try to be as close as possible in alleviating or reducing the risks
• Engineers have domain knowledge on technical aspect of the project and get
satisfaction from doing it, project managers manage other talents and get things
going and get satisfaction
• Engineers becoming managers could be the right path, as reverse normally does
not happen.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Summary

• Projects started when there is a business case.

• Business case does not necessarily mean that the project should be profitable.
• Business case can be related to the branding of a company which does not have a direct
profitability.
• Projects can be developed by the government, to increase the service to its citizen.
• A project has a lifecycle!
• Lifecycle contains phases
• Unlike product lifecycle, project lifecycle finishes when the project is successfully
completed
• Projects are developed and completed by various process groups
• Monitoring and control helps to keep the project progress in right track
• Projects have stakeholders and there is a need to manage them
• Processes of some projects can overlap for a short or prolonged period of time
• Projects are run by project manager and engineers can become project manager with
holistic thinking and broadening of knowledge areas.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Textbook

• Please read the first two chapters of the textbook.

• Concepts have been covered.
• Also, be careful with the terminologies. We will follow the Standard
Terminologies as per PM Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• So stick to terminologies in the lecture if you get confused.
• You should not be confused though.

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel

 Assignment #2: Submit Saturday

1. Explain if the following is true?

• A project could have higher financial benefit and higher values for the selected non-
financial criteria but it may not be selected by an organization, which is already conducting
many similar projects.
• You have to discuss by giving examples of financial benefit and what non-financial criteria would you
use. Then answer by giving reasons.
2. Work on the example of the net present value given in the slides, extend the
same values to year 6 and choose two discount rates (first 5% and then 10%)
to see your selection. Mention what happens to the NPV values of the
projects and what decision would you make?
3. Assume that you are going to develop a new type of rice cooker that uses an
electronic control system to use lesser energy than the currently available
rice cookers. How would you define product management lifecycle for this
product?

Notes orientation, ©Shaligram Pokharel