Project Lifecycle & Context

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

• AA project is managed entirely by the operations department alongside their 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 always costs more than routine operational work

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.

What is the primary purpose of the deployment phase in a project lifecycle?

• ATo define the business case and justify the investment before any of the work is started
• BTo put the project's outputs into operational use so benefits can be realised✓
• CTo recruit the project team and assign each of them to a work package in the plan
• DTo close down the project office immediately after the handover meeting has finished

Answer: Deployment transitions the project's outputs into operational use (business as usual) so that the intended benefits can begin to be realised.