---
title: "Life cycle phases and goal setting example"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:life-cycle-phase-goal-example"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/life-cycle-phase-goal-example
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Life cycle phases and goal setting example

Project Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction of Project and Project Management

- Asked in: 2068 Baisakh (old course), 8 marks
- Video: [Phases of a Project [PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIFE CYCLE EXPLAINED]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY6VX_nRCs) — Adriana Girdler
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/life-cycle-phase-goal-example
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

Name the project life cycle and explain how you set goals in a project by giving an example of one goal and verifying it with the criteria of goal setting.

## Short answer

The project life cycle has four phases: initiation, planning, implementation and termination. To set a goal, identify the need, state the broad goal, convert it into a specific objective and verify it with SMART criteria. Example: construct a gravity-flow water supply with a 50 m³ reservoir and 25 taps serving 300 households within 12 months at NRs 2.5 crore, which satisfies all SMART criteria.

## Answer

#### Project life cycle
The project life cycle has four phases: **initiation, planning, implementation and termination** (also called concept, definition, execution and closure).

```text
Initiation -> Planning -> Implementation -> Termination
```

#### Setting a goal, with example
Steps: identify the need, state the broad goal, convert it into a specific objective, and test it against the SMART criteria.

Need: the villagers of ward 5 have no safe drinking water.

Goal: provide safe drinking water to ward 5.

Objective: "Construct a gravity-flow water supply system with a 50 m³ reservoir and 25 tap stands serving 300 households within 12 months at a cost not exceeding NRs 2.5 crore, meeting national drinking water quality standards."

#### Verification with criteria
| Criterion | Check |
|---|---|
| Specific | Gravity system, reservoir size, 25 taps and 300 households are stated |
| Measurable | Volume, number of taps and households can be counted; cost and water quality can be checked |
| Achievable | A perennial spring is available and the design is standard |
| Realistic | Fits the demand (about 45 lpcd) and the budget of the local government |
| Time-bound | 12 months |

The objective satisfies all the criteria, so it is acceptable.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What are the four phases of the project life cycle?
   A. Idea, profit, loss, closure
   B. Design, bidding, tender, award
   C. Planning, control, audit, sale
   D. Initiation, planning, implementation, termination
   Answer: D. Also called concept, definition, execution and closure. (Key point: Life cycle phases)

2. Which sequence is used to set a goal?
   A. Identify need, state broad goal, convert to specific objective, test against SMART
   B. Identify cost, then need
   C. Test SMART first, then find need
   D. State objective, forget goal
   Answer: A. Need leads to goal, then objective, then SMART testing. (Key point: Setting a goal)

3. In the water supply example, which is the goal?
   A. Spend NRs 2.5 crore
   B. Build a 50 m3 reservoir
   C. Provide safe drinking water to ward 5
   D. Construct a system with 25 tap stands within 12 months
   Answer: C. The goal is broad; the detailed statement with numbers is the objective. (Key point: Goal vs objective in example)

4. What shows the objective is Achievable?
   A. It has 25 taps
   B. A perennial spring is available and the design is standard
   C. It takes 12 months
   D. Cost is NRs 2.5 crore
   Answer: B. Availability of resources/standard design supports achievability. (Key point: Achievable check)

5. What supports the Realistic criterion in the example?
   A. The deadline
   B. It fits demand (about 45 lpcd) and the local government's budget
   C. The reservoir volume
   D. A tap count of 25
   Answer: B. Realistic means it matches the need and the organisation's capacity. (Key point: Realistic check)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Project goal setting and criteria (SMART)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-setting-criteria) — Project Engineering, chapter 1, asked 5×
- [Project life cycle phases and activities](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phases-activities) — Project Engineering, chapter 1, asked 5×
- [Goal vs objective; goal setting criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-objective-difference-criteria) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project family tree and goal criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-family-tree-goal-criteria) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project, characteristics and SMART goal setting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-explain-goal-setting-smart) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Goal versus objective of a project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-vs-objective-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1

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- [Needs, goals, constraints and criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fmachine_design_i%3Aproblem-statement-needs-goals-constraints) — Machine Design I, chapter 4