Final answer:
The incorrect statement in the question is that cost and staffing levels are symmetrical throughout the project life cycle. In practice, these levels vary, typically peaking during the middle of the life cycle rather than remaining constant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the distinctions between project phases and the project life cycle within project management. Typically, each phase of a project is associated with specific deliverables and the entire life cycle marks the start and completion of a project. It often includes some form of technology transfer or handoff. However, the statement that cost and staffing levels are generally symmetrical throughout the project life cycle is not true; these factors typically vary, reaching a peak during the middle of the life cycle and are lower during the initial and final phases.
For instance, during the Preparatory Phase, costs and staffing might be low as the project is being planned. The Implementation and Learning Phase often requires more resources and a higher number of staff as the actual work on deliverables takes place. In later stages, such as the Program Evaluation Phase and the Development of Lessons Learned, resources and staffing might again decrease as the project moves towards closure and reflection on the process for future improvements. The idea that project costs and staffing are symmetrical is more an exception than a norm in project management.