Project lifecycle Most project lifecycles have many common features

Low levels of cost and staffing in the initial phase, reaching a maximum in the middle phase and then declining rapidly as the project nears its end. The level of uncertainty is highest during the initial phase of a project and therefore the risk of not achieving the project objectives is highest. The ability of project stakeholders to influence the final product characteristics of the project and the final cost of the project is highest during the initial phase of the project and becomes progressively lower as the project continues.