What are the phases of PM?

The phases of PM 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.

These PM phases are described in the PMBOK® Guide.

Last edited on: 11 Nov 2025


Project management FAQs

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?

Project Management related articles

Project management principles
Project management principles
image
Unlock the power of project management principles! Discover key insights to become a successful project leader and deliver on time and on budget.
Project management benefits
Project management benefits
image
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.
Project management: fundamentals, methodologies and best practices
Project management: fundamentals, methodologies and best practices
image
Project management is the discipline of planning, organising, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals within a defined timeline and budget. Learn the key processes, methods, roles and skills vital for successful project delivery.
Which project management qualification?
Which project management qualification?
image
Choosing the right project management qualification can be crucial. Learn about the options and which suits your career goals best.
Starting a project management career: Free ebook
Starting a project management career: Free ebook
image
Start your project management career with our free ebook. Learn about pathways and qualifications necessary for success in the field.
Project controls – your driver to project success
Project controls – your driver to project success
image
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.
Which is better, PMI-ACP® or PMI-PMP®?
Which is better, PMI-ACP® or PMI-PMP®?
image
Debating between PMI-ACP® or PMI-PMP®? This article discusses the merits of both, helping you choose the right qualification for your career outside of Europe. Read more.
The importance of a business case
The importance of a business case
image
Understand why a business case is crucial for informed decision-making and effective resource allocation. Read on to master how to craft a powerful business case.
PMO consulting: Unlocking project success
PMO consulting: Unlocking project success
image
Project success depends significantly on PMO consulting expertise. This service provides expert advice which helps improve your project management office functionality to achieve enhanced results and productivity.
Top 10 project management books
Top 10 project management books
image
Explore the top 10 project management books recommended by professionals. Find your next read and level up your project management knowledge.
PRINCE2 Agile cost
PRINCE2 Agile cost
image
Understand the costs of PRINCE2 Agile courses and what to expect beyond the course fee. Read on to plan your budget effectively.
Top 10 project tracker tools to boost your productivity
Top 10 project tracker tools to boost your productivity
image
Discover our top 10 picks of project tracker tools to power up your productivity. These game-changing solutions will help you streamline your workflow and smash your goals!