Project Management Stages

Project Management Stages
By Michele Berrie, Queensland University of Technology

The Project Management Stages are aligned with the Project Phases in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), but with some alterations. The Project Stages are:

Initiating

This stage begins with the submission of a Project Proposal or Feasibility Study. Upon approval, project funds are usually reserved.

Planning

This stage includes the preparation and approval of a Project Plan. The project steering committee or authoritative body normally approves the plan. Funds will be released upon approval.

Executing

This stage covers the implementation of the approved Project Plan. Project Change Requests are usually approved by the steering committee/governing authority.

Halted

This status indicates that project has paused while significant changes are considered or taking place.

Terminated

This status results when a project is killed at any stage, for whatever reason.

Closing

This stage involves completing or ending the project, as indicated through an Activity Completion Report for all projects. Activity completion may mean a successful completion of the project or an early termination during the planning or execution stages of the project.

Retired

After completion or termination, a project is retired after submission of a Project Activity Completion Report for all projects and, then, a Post Implementation Review, if required.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a highly successful Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in the city of Brisbane with a global outlook, it has 40,000 students, including 6000 from overseas, (QUT Statistics) and an annual budget of more than AU$500 million. Courses are in high demand and its graduate employment rate is well above the national average for Australian universities.