What step follows the project initiation phase in the project life cycle?

Following the project initiation phase, the next critical step in the project life cycle is making a plan. This planning phase is essential as it involves defining the project objectives, aligning resources, outlining timelines, and establishing the overall strategy for how the project will be executed. During this step, project managers gather information, assess risks, and develop a comprehensive project management plan that serves as a roadmap for the entire project.

Making a plan enables teams to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the project’s goals and how they will be achieved. This step includes important elements such as scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and determining roles and responsibilities, which are vital for guiding the execution of the project tasks that follow.

The other steps mentioned, such as evaluating project success, executing project tasks, and closing the project, occur later in the project life cycle. Evaluating success happens after project completion, executing tasks is part of the subsequent execution phase that follows planning, and closing the project is the final phase where project outcomes are formally recognized.