---
title: "Define project and explain its phases"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:project-phases-define-in-own-words"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/project-phases-define-in-own-words
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define project and explain its phases

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

- Asked in: 2080 Baisakh, 6 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/project-phases-define-in-own-words
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

Define the project in your own words and explain its phases.

## Short answer

A project is a one-time, planned piece of work with a clear objective, start and end dates, a limited budget and a dedicated team. Its phases are initiation or concept, planning or definition, implementation or execution, and termination or closure. Each phase ends with a review gate, and its output is checked before the next phase starts.

## Answer

A **project**, in simple words, is a one-time, planned piece of work with a clear objective, a start and end date, a limited budget and a team formed only for it, such as building a school or a bridge.

#### Phases of a project

The **project life cycle** is the series of phases a project passes through from its start to its end. Each phase ends with a review (gate) before the next begins. The common four-phase model is:

```text
 Initiation -> Planning -> Implementation -> Termination
 (Concept)    (Definition)  (Execution)       (Closure)

 Effort
   ^        ___
   |      /    \___
   |   __/         \__
   |__/               \___
   +--------------------------> Time
```

| Phase | Main work |
|---|---|
| Initiation / concept | Identify need, pre-feasibility, objectives, preliminary cost, go or no-go decision |
| Planning / definition | Detailed design, WBS, schedule, budget, resource and risk plans, contracts |
| Implementation / execution | Mobilisation, procurement, construction or manufacturing, monitoring and control |
| Termination / closure | Testing, handover, final payment, documentation, lessons learned, release of resources |

Each phase produces an output that is checked before the next phase starts. Example (school building): initiation is need survey and approval; planning is design, estimate and tender; implementation is construction; termination is handover and final bill.

## Check yourself

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

1. Which best defines a project?
   A. Routine daily operation
   B. A permanent department
   C. A one-time planned piece of work with a clear objective, start and end date, limited budget and temporary team
   D. Any repetitive task
   Answer: C. Projects are one-time, with defined objective, dates, budget and a team formed only for it. (Key point: Definition of project)

2. What happens at the end of each project phase?
   A. The team is dismissed
   B. A review (gate) before the next phase begins
   C. Automatic start of next phase
   D. The budget is doubled
   Answer: B. Each phase ends with a review (gate) and its output is checked. (Key point: Phase gates)

3. Which work belongs to the Planning/definition phase?
   A. Construction
   B. Need identification only
   C. Handover and lessons learned
   D. Detailed design, WBS, schedule, budget, resource and risk plans, contracts
   Answer: D. Detailed design, schedule, budget and contracts are planning outputs. (Key point: Planning phase work)

4. According to the effort-time diagram, effort is highest during which phase?
   A. At the very end
   B. Implementation, in the middle of the life cycle
   C. Equal throughout
   D. At the very start
   Answer: B. Effort rises through planning, peaks in implementation and falls at termination. (Key point: Effort curve)

5. In the school building example, what is the termination phase?
   A. Handover and final bill
   B. Design and tender
   C. Need survey
   D. Construction
   Answer: A. Initiation is need survey, planning is design/estimate/tender, implementation is construction. (Key point: School example)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [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×
- [Life cycle phases and goal setting example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phase-goal-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Scope of CM and project life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ascope-lifecycle-phases) — Construction Management, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Project development life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-development-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 1
- [Interpret: avoidable errors and use of words](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-avoidable-errors-in-reasoning) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Bias-free words (waitress, foreman)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Abias-free-words-waitress) — Communication English, chapter 4