A project phase is a collection of logically related project activities that culminates in the completion of one or more deliverables.

The phases in a life cycle can be described by a variety of attributes. Attributes may be measurable and unique to a specific phase.

Attributes may include but are not limited to:  

  • * Name (e.g., Phase A, Phase B, Phase 1, Phase 2, proposal phase),  

  • * Number (e.g., three phases in the project, five phases in the project), Duration (e.g., 1 week, 1 month, 1 quarter),  

  • * Resource requirements (e.g., people, buildings, equipment),  

  • * Entrance criteria for a project to move into that phase (e.g., specified approvals documented, specified documents completed), and  

  • * Exit criteria for a project to complete a phase (e.g., documented approvals, completed documents, completed deliverables). 

Projects may be separated into distinct phases or subcomponents. These phases or subcomponents are generally

given names that indicate the type of work done in that phase.

Examples of phase names include but are not limited to:  

  • * Concept development,  

  • * Feasibility study,  

  • * Customer requirements,  

  • * Solution development,  

  • * Design,  

  • * Prototype,  

  • * Build. 

The project phases may be established based on various factors including, but not limited to: 

  • * Management needs;  

  • * Nature of the project;  

  • * Unique characteristics of the organization, industry, or technology.