Final answer:
Early decisions in the project lifecycle hold great influence over the project's success and can have lasting consequences, making them more impactful than decisions made later on. Option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decisions made at the beginning stage of a project lifecycle have a significant impact on the success of the project, as they lay the foundation for the development process. A poor detailed design that results from such early decisions can ruin a good design concept, making it impossible to develop a design that successfully meets customer needs. Additionally, cost/benefit analysis is a critical decision-making tool at this stage, allowing the comparison of marginal costs against marginal benefits. The decision to spend on infrastructure, whether it is politically motivated or economically sensible, also influences the overall success and cost-effectiveness of the project.
Therefore, the answer to the student's question is option B) Has far greater influence than decisions made at later stages in the lifecycle. Early decisions are crucial as they guide the rest of the project and can have long-term consequences on both the design and financial aspects of the project.