Which phase of the project management lifecycle often takes the longest to wrap up?

Project management lifecycle

The project management lifecycle is a step-by-step framework of best practices used to monitor a project from its beginning to its end. It provides project managers with a structured way to create, execute, and finish a project.

This project management process generally includes four phases: initiation, planning, execution, and closing.

1.) Initiation

• This process helps in the visualization of what is to be accomplished. This is where the project is formally approved by the sponsor/client, initial scope defined, and stakeholders identified. 

2.) Planning

• The planning stage is where the project plans are documented, the project deliverables and requirements are defined, and the project schedule is created.
• It involves creating a set of plans to help guide your team through the implementation and closure phases of the project.

3.) Execution

• This process is also known as the implementation phase, in which the plan designed in the previous phase of the project activity cycle is put into action.
• The intent of the execution phase of the project activity cycle is to bring about the project’s expected results.
• Normally, this is the longest phase of the project management life cycle, where most resources are applied. 

4.) Closing

• This is considered to be the last process of the project activity cycle.
• In this stage, the project is formally closed and then a report is produced to the project sponsor/client on the overall level of success of the completed project.