Project Lifecycle & Context

Which characteristic BEST distinguishes a project from business as usual (BAU)?

• AA project is managed by the operations department alongside their other routine duties
• BA project is repetitive and ongoing with no defined end
• CA project is a unique, transient endeavour undertaken to achieve desired outcomes✓
• DA project costs more than routine work, and takes longer to complete

Answer: APM defines a project as a unique, transient endeavour undertaken to bring about change and achieve planned objectives, unlike BAU which is repetitive and ongoing.

In a linear project lifecycle, the phases are characterised as:

• AContinuous operation with no defined handover point
• BPhases chosen at will by the project manager as the work unfolds, in whatever order suits
• CRepeated cycles of build and review that continue until the sponsor declares themselves satisfied
• DSequential phases where deliverables are produced and handed over in a defined order✓

Answer: A linear lifecycle executes phases sequentially, completing one before moving to the next, with deliverables produced in a defined order.

In APM's linear life cycle, what primarily happens during the deployment phase?

• AThe outline business case is prepared and the idea's viability is first assessed
• BThe approved plans are implemented and the outputs are built, tested and assured✓
• CThe outputs are handed over, commissioned and accepted by the sponsor and users
• DThe detailed plans and requirements are developed to give a full justification

Answer: APM describes deployment as the implementation of the plans, with performance verified through testing and assurance so that the intended outputs are produced. Assessing viability and preparing an outline business case belong to the concept phase, developing detailed plans and the full justification belongs to definition, and handing outputs over for commissioning and acceptance is transition, which ends in formal closure.