How ITS Manages Your Project

The WCM ITS Project Management Life Cycle is been divided into seven (7) phases (including Project Request Phase) This is in-line with how they are tracked in the ITS ServiceNow module:

1. Identify (Project Request Demand Phase): This is the phase in which the submitted project requests or project demands are evaluated and the project charter is created to identify the project scope, business goals, project manager and resources needed for planning (or implementation for standard project requests) and estimated project costs.  The completed charter is then submitted to the Intake Team for approval to move forward with planning.  Project requests are tracked in the Project Requestmodule in ServiceNow.
2. Planning: This is the phase of the project establishes objectives, timelines, preliminary budgets, high level requirements, manage resources, and complete analysis (if needed). The plan, including the project budget, is presented to stakeholders for approval to proceed. These plans are meant to serve as a guide for the project as it enters the execution and closing.  
3. Design: This is the phase of the project where solution design documents, test plans Communication & test plans, disaster recovery are created, the solution design is the final milestone needing approving before moving to the next phase.
4. Build: This is the phase of the project where the build begins (as per design document) and a pilot begins.  The project sponsor/ PE is the final milestone before proceeding to the next phase.
5. Test: This is the phase of the project where all testing takes place.  This includes user acceptance testing, integration testing disaster recover testing, and all remediation takes place.
6. Implement: This is the phase of the project where the solution is released into production. Communication plans are executed and training is conducted before go-live if necessary.
7. Closing: This is the phase of the project where the project process is completed and the sponsor/requestor formally accepts the project and brings it to an orderly end. All project documents are archived and the project is reviewed in the context of continuous improvement. This is also where lesson learned are conducted.

Note: Throughout the phases listed above the project is constantly monitored and controlled.

A phase gate process is a project management technique in which a project is divided into distinct stages or phases, separated by decision points known as gates. At each gate, continuation is decided by a manager, steering committee, or governance board. The decision is made on forecasts and information available at the time, including the business case, risk analysis, and availability of necessary resources. The workflow, and larger diagram, for the project phase gate can be found here.