Life, death, and software project management

Dmitriy Kharchenko
7 min readMar 2, 2024

In the vast expanse of our universe, the principles of life and its continuous cycle of birth, growth, maturity, and death resonate deeply within the fabric of all existence. These principles, fundamental and unyielding, govern not just the natural world but extend their reach into the creations of human intellect and ambition, such as the intricate process of project management. This article endeavors to explore the profound similarities between the biological life cycles of living organisms and the lifecycle of software projects, delving into the universal truths that underpin both realms.

“Green Star Quilt” by Wally Dion. Photo by author

Energy Utilization and Resource Allocation

In the natural world, the survival and prosperity of organisms hinge on the efficient utilization of energy. This principle applies directly to project management, where the careful allocation of resources such as time, budget, and manpower is critical for success. Just as organisms allocate energy to growth, reproduction, and survival based on environmental conditions, project managers must strategically distribute resources to meet the unique demands of each project phase. Mismanagement in either scenario leads to adverse outcomes: in biology, it could result in the organism’s demise, while in project management, it could spell project failure.

--

--