What are the five phases of a project?

The five phases of a project are:

  • Initiation: the project is defined and its feasibility assessed;
  • Planning: the project plan is developed including scope, timeline, and resources;
  • Execution: project activities are carried out and deliverables are created;
  • Monitoring and controlling: project performance is tracked and any necessary adjustments are made;
  • Closing: involves finalising all project activities, formally completing the project and disbanding the project team.

The 5 project management phases are described in the PMBOK® Guide.

Last edited on: 02 Jun 2026
Can a project belong to more than one programme?
Do project managers write business cases?
How do you compare programme and project management?
How do you plan for a project or programme?
How hard is project management?
How is Agile PM different from traditional PM?
Is project management hard to learn?
Is Scrum Agile or waterfall?
What are KPIs in project management?
What are the 5 phases of the project life cycle?
What are the 5 stages of project management?
What are the 5 W's of project management?
What are the basics of project management?
What are the five phases of a project?
What are the phases of PM?
What are the three most important things in project management?
What do you mean by Agile project management?
What does the Gantt chart stand for?
What is a program vs project life cycle?
What is a project life cycle?
What is Agile PM vs waterfall PM?
What is Agile working in project management?
What is difference between project and program management?
What is project management in simple words?
What is the 80 20 rule for project managers?
What is the Agile methodology in project management?
What is the difference between Agile and waterfall?
What is the difference between enterprise change and project change?
What is the difference between PM and Agile?
What is the difference between programme & project management?
What is the difference between project and programme management?
What is the life cycle of a project?
What is the RACI matrix used for?
What is the triangle of project management?
What is WBS in project management?
What project management means?
See all Project management FAQs

Project Management related articles

Project management podcasts
Project management podcasts
image
Knowledge Train
Selecting the right podcasts in project management can be a great way to gain advice and insight. Our list of the best project management podcasts will bring you some of the best views from the experts in the field.
Project management benefits
Project management benefits
image
Knowledge Train
Project management offers a wide range of benefits for businesses. Let’s look at the most important of them and how they can help you to grow your organisation and boost the bottom line.
Risk management on projects
Risk management on projects
image
Knowledge Train
Discover how risk management on projects contributes to project success. Learn proven strategies to mitigate risks and increase the chance of achieving your project goals.
Business case: definition, purpose, structure, and examples
Business case: definition, purpose, structure, and examples
image
Simon Buehring
A business case is a structured argument used to support decision-making, typically by justifying an investment, change, or project using evidence such as cost–benefit analysis, risks, and financial appraisal. Its purpose is to show why an option should be approved, what value it will deliver, and how benefits will be measured and realised.
What is PMP<sup>®</sup> certification, its benefits, and how to get it?
What is PMP® certification, its benefits, and how to get it?
image
Simon Buehring
Learn why PMP® certification is regarded as the gold standard in project management and how it can boost your career. Read more for benefits and acquisition tips.
Managing small projects
Managing small projects
image
Simon Buehring
Can large project management practices be scaled down? Explore the application of these practices in smaller projects by reading further.
Project controls – your driver to project success
Project controls – your driver to project success
image
Knowledge Train
Project controls are an essential part of project management. Find out how you can use them to measure project progress, predict outcomes and steer projects on the right course.
Understanding PMO roles
Understanding PMO roles
image
Knowledge Train
Learn about crucial positions in a Project Management Office (PMO). The article presents important PMO positions together with their impact on successful project management. Continue reading to fully understand the organisational frameworks of PMOs.
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)<sup>®</sup> – Book Review
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)® – Book Review
image
Simon Buehring
Explore a thorough review of the PMBOK® Guide - Seventh Edition, detailing its relevance and use in project management. Read on to assess its value for your projects.
How to Apply AI Technology to Your Project with Paul Boudreau
How to Apply AI Technology to Your Project with Paul Boudreau
image
Sevcan Yasa
This webinar provides a concise overview of AI in projects, showcasing practical applications and AI's capabilities. Read on to enhance your project management skills.
What is PRINCE2?
What is PRINCE2?
image
Simon Buehring
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method used to plan, control and deliver projects through defined roles, stages and management products. It is used by project managers, project teams and governance groups such as a Project Board to improve control, business justification and delivery outcomes.
11 essential project management techniques
11 essential project management techniques
image
Knowledge Train
Enhance your project management skills with these 11 essential techniques. From project planning and visualisation to quality assurance and risk assessment, our ultimate guide will help you learn the art of managing projects for excellent results.