Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Jones, and I'm really pleased that you've decided to join me today.

In this lesson, we're going to look at the project lifecycle and the different stages and how these are linked to developing an artefact.

So let's get started.

Welcome to today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called the "Project Lifecycle" from the Unit Digital Media.

And by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to explain the purpose and stages of the project lifecycle.

There are three keywords to today's lesson.

Initiation.

Initiation is the start of the project where you understand the problem or client brief.

Execution.

Execution is following the planning to create the solution or product.

Success criteria.

Success criteria is set areas that should be included so that the product meets all the expectations of the initial brief.

There are two sections to today's lesson.

The first is identify the stages of the project lifecycle, and the second is explain each stage of the project lifecycle.

So let's start with identify the stages of the project lifecycle.

A project is started with the aim of creating a unique product, service, or result.

The aim could be to create a physical or a digital artefact.

A project can be a large task.

Breaking it down into stages can provide a structured approach to follow and can help to manage the project from start to finish.

This is done by following the project lifecycle.

The project lifecycle has five stages.

The first is initiation, the second is planning, the third is execution, the fourth, testing and evaluation, and the fifth, closure or presentation.

Let's have a quick check.

What is the purpose of following a project lifecycle? Is it A, to make projects longer and more complicated? B, to avoid making decisions during a project? C, to provide a structured approach to manage projects? Or D, to manage multiple projects without planning? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was C, to provide a structured approach to manage projects.

Well done if you got that correct.

The initiation stage is when a client brief is received.

The client is the person or company you are working for.

The brief outlines the project to be completed with any specific details.

Jun asks, "What is part of the initiation stage?" That's a very good question.

The initiation stage looks at the client brief, discusses whether the project is okay to go ahead, and approves the success criteria.

Let's have a quick check.

Select the correct order of stages for the project lifecycle.

Is it A, planning, initiation, execution, testing, presentation? B, initiation planning, execution, testing, presentation? C, initiation, planning, testing, execution, presentation? Or D, initiation, planning, execution, presentation, testing? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was B, initiation, planning, execution, testing, and presentation.

Well done if you've got that correct.

Jun asks, "What are success criteria?" Success criteria sets out the areas that need to be included so that the product meets all the expectations of the initial client brief.

So Jun asks, "What is included in success criteria?" The areas could be the audience and purpose, any specific details to be included, and any deadlines and cost implications.

Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheet for this.

Fill in the gaps about the project lifecycle.

A project lifecycle is used to help and a project from start to finish.

The five stages of the project lifecycle are.

Pause the video, go back through the slides, use your worksheet, and then we'll check your answers.

Let's check your answer.

A project lifecycle is used to help structure and manage a project from start to finish.

The five stages of the project lifecycle are initiation, planning, execution, testing and evaluation, closure or presentation.

Well done if you've got those correct.

Let's do another activity.

Describe what is included in the initiation stage.

Pause the video, go back through the slides, use your worksheet, and then we'll check your answers.

Let's check your answer.

The initiation stage looks at the client brief, discusses whether the project is okay to go ahead, and approves the success criteria.

The success criteria sets out the areas that should be included so that the product meets all expectations of the initial client brief.

Success criteria includes the audience and purpose of the end product, any specific details that need to be included, and any deadlines and cost implications.

Well done if you've got that correct.

Let's look at the second part of today's lesson, explain each stage of the project lifecycle.

It is important to set SMART targets throughout a project.

In SMART, each letter represents a key word, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.

Aisha asks, "Can you give an example of a SMART target?" This one has got the project is to design and create a menu for a new restaurant.

So a SMART target could be, take five photographs of desserts to include in the menu by Friday.

It's specific because we know exactly what it's about.

It is relevant, it's linked to the menu and the restaurant.

It's achievable.

It has times set as well, so it covers all of those areas of a SMART target.

"What is included at the planning stage?" Aisha asks.

That's a very good question.

The planning stage is about getting everything ready before starting to create.

The project specifics will be decided and planning documents may be used to sketch out designs.

Costs, resources, and any required software will also be discussed.

Andeep asks, "What is included at the execution stage?" Good question.

The execution stage is where the project comes to life, following the planning documents to create the final product.

This might also mean working with others to get it completed.

So this is where it'll be using software or other examples to actually create the final product, depending on whether it's a physical or a digital artefact.

Let's have a quick check.

What is part of the planning stage? A, deciding on software to use? B, using software to create? C, sketching out designs? Or D, following planning documents? Pause the video, go back through the slides, consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answers were A, deciding on software to use, and C, sketching out designs.

Well done if you got that correct.

Sofia asks, "What is included at the testing and evaluating stages?" At these stages, you test, receive feedback, track progress, manage changes, and ensure the project stays on course.

Checking back to the success criteria as well to ensure the project is still on track to create the required end product.

Jacob asks, "What is included at the closure or presentation stage?" At the closure or presentation stage, you submit or present the final product to the client and get an official approval that they are happy.

There may also be opportunities to reflect on and evaluate what went well and what could be improved in future projects.

Let's have a quick check.

What is part of the presentation stage? Is it A, deciding on software to use? B, submitting the final product? C, getting official approval from the client? D, checking back to the success criteria? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answers were B, submitting the final product, and C, getting official approval from the client.

Well done if you got that correct.

Jacob asks, "Do you follow each stage in turn, one after the other?" Very good question, and the answer is no.

The project may iterate back to previous stages.

For example, you may go back to execution after moving to testing and evaluation if the testing shows that changes need to be made.

Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheets.

Set a SMART target for a project to create a website to sell new products.

Pause the video, use your worksheet, and have a go at creating a SMART target.

Remembering that it is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.

Let's check your answers.

Possible answers, because yours will be different to these, could include add three products to the sale page of the website by the end of the day, including an image, price, and description, or create a banner for the homepage of the website by Friday using images and text of the products on sale.

Check that your answers are specific, they're measurable, they're attainable, they're relevant, and they're timely.

Well done if you've got those correct.

Let's do another activity and you'll need your worksheet again.

Complete the table to describe what happens at these stages of the project lifecycle.

On the left, you have the stages, initiation, planning, execution, testing and evaluation, closure or presentation, and you need to complete the other side to describe what happens at each of these stages.

Pause the video, go back through the slides, use your worksheet, and then we'll check your answers.

Let's check your answers.

Initiation.

In this stage, it is look at the client brief, discuss whether the project is okay to go ahead, and approve the success criteria.

Planning.

In this section, get everything ready before starting to create, decide project specifics, use planning documents to sketch out designs, discuss costs, resources, and any required software.

Execution.

In this stage, it's about following the planning documents to create the product.

This might also mean working together with others.

Testing and evaluation.

In this stage, it's about test, receive feedback, track progress, manage changes, and ensure the project stays on course.

Checking back to the success criteria to ensure the project is still on track to create the required end product.

Closure or presentation.

In this stage, it's about submitting or presenting the final product to the client and get official approval that they are happy.

There may be opportunities to reflect on and evaluate what went well and what could be improved in future projects.

Well done if you've got those correct.

In summary, the project lifecycle breaks a project down into stages.

It can provide a structured approach to follow and help you to manage a project from start to finish.

There are five stages to the project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, testing and evaluating, and closure or presentation.

It's important to set clear success criteria at the start and to use SMART targets throughout.

SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.

Well done for completing this lesson on the project lifecycle.