A project has four distinct phases:

• Definition - where the idea is formulated and a business case is presented for its preliminary acceptance, with consideration to indicative costs, resource use and schedule;

• Planning - where a project management plan is created that outlines all the necessary activities / tasks, costs, schedules etc;

• Execution - where the work is implemented and controlled in creating the deliverables or outcomes; and

• Closing - where the project closure is formally accepted and completed, including reflecting on lessons learnt, and evaluating the project in terms of meeting budget, schedule and specifications.

The completion of the first three phases require some form of sign-off or authority for the project to progress through to completion.