The Project Cycle Management (PCM)

The Project Cycle Management (PCM) is a term used by Europeaid and other Aid organizations to describe the management activities and decision-making procedures used during the life cycle of a project (including key tasks, roles and responsibilities, key documents and decision options).

PCM is meant to ensure that projects are supportive of the overarching policy objectives of the European Commission and of development partners; are relevant to an agreed strategy and to the real problems of target groups/beneficiaries; are feasible, meaning that objectives can be realistically achieved within the constraints of the operating environment and capabilities of the implementing agencies; and generate sustainable benefits.

The Commission’s project cycle has five main phases, as shown in the figure below:

The PCM adopts as a management tool the logical framework

See the Manual:  Europe Aid: PCM Manual)

PCM as conceived by Oxfam