Which phase comes after initiation and before termination?

• A. Planning Phase
• B. Evaluation Phase
• C. Termination Phase
• D. Operational Phase

Answer: (D)

In this lifecycle, after a project is started you move into a phase where the planned work is put into action. The operational phase is the period during which the system is in use, activities are carried out, and deliverables are produced and maintained until it’s time to wrap up. That places it after initiation and before termination, serving as the active execution window that leads toward closing. Planning does occur after initiation as well, but it happens earlier and sets up what will be executed; the question focuses on the phase that is the active execution period between the start and the end. Evaluation tends to occur around or after the operational run to assess outcomes, not as the ongoing middle phase.