1-5 Homework Assignment
Page 26, 27-28

2. Describe the life-cycle of a project in terms of (1) the degree of project completion; (2) required effort
In terms of project completion most projects begin slowly during preliminary and detailed planning. The project then speeds up during execution but usually slows again towards the end. This is called an s-shaped life-cycle. According to Meredith & Mantel (2012) this “stretched-S” pattern for the most part “is a result of the changing levels of resources used during the successive stages of the life-cycle” (p. 18). There are exceptions to this pattern; however a majority of projects follow the s-shape. Other projects may have stair-step or stretched-J completion curves.

In terms of required effort the curve is usually represented by resources or man-hours consumed per unit of time. This plot is broken up into several phases of the projects life. The phases of effort include conception, selection, planning, scheduling, mentoring, controlling, evaluating and the final termination of the project (Meredith & Mantel, 2012, p. 18).

Meredith & Mantel (2012) states that “Normally there is a strong correlation between the life-cycle progress curve and the effort curve because effort usually results in corresponding progress (although not always)” (p. 19). Typically the progress and effort curves will be asymmetrical due to the minimal completion and effort at the beginning and end of the project.

4. List the seven main characteristics of a project and briefly describe the important features of each.
The seven attributes that characterize a project are: importance, scope, life cycle, interdependencies, uniqueness, resources and conflict (Meredith & Mantel, 2012, p. 11-13).
According to Meredith & Mantel (2012) importance is “the most critical attribute of a project” (p. 11) because it requires