Project by Definition

A temporary endeavor undertaken to

create unique product or service.

(Project Management Institution, 2001,p.167)

Back Ground

 Origins and history of project management.

 Classifying projects.
The Definition of a “Project”

 Must make a distinction between terms:

 Program - an exceptionally large, long-range objective that
is broken down into a set of projects
 Task - set of activities comprising a project
 Work Packages - division of tasks
 Work Units - division of work packages
 In the broadest sense, a project is a specific, finite
task to be accomplished

Chapter 1-8
Characteristics Of a project.

 Purpose
 Lifecycle
 Interdependence
 Uniqueness
 Conflict

For Literature Consult

Project Management A Managerial Approach (Fifth Editio
By; John Wiley & Sons, Inc, p-9
Why Project Management?

 Companies have also experienced some

negatives:
 Greater organizational complexity
 Increased likelihood of organizational policy
violations
 Higher costs
 More management difficulties
 Low personnel utilization

Chapter 1-11
The project life-cycle.

100
Slow Finish
% Project Completion

Quick Momentum

Slow start

0
Time

Project Management A Managerial Approach.

By; John Wiley & Sons, Inc, p-
The Project Life Cycle
 Time distribution of project effort is characterized by slow-rapid-
slow

Chapter 1-14
The Project Life Cycle

 Other projects also exist which do not follow

the conventional project life cycle
 These projects are comprised of subunits
that have little use as a stand alone unit, yet
become useful when put together

Chapter 1-15
The Project Life Cycle

 Unlike the more conventional life cycle, continued inputs of effort at the
end of the project produce significant gains in returns

Chapter 1-16
The Project Life Cycle

 Risk during project life cycle

 With most projects there is some uncertainty
about the ability to meet project goals
 Uncertainty of outcome is greatest at the start of a
project
 Uncertainty decreases as the project moves
toward completion

Chapter 1-18
Risk During Project Life Cycle
 Uncertainty decreases as the project moves toward completion

Chapter 1-19
Summary

 Projects are characterized by a singleness of

purpose, a definite life cycle, complex
interdependencies, some or all unique
elements, and an environment of conflict
 Project management, though not problem-
free, is the best way to accomplish certain
goals

Chapter 1-24
Summary

 Projects often start slow, build up speed

while using considerable resources, and then
slow down as completion nears
 This text is organized along the project life
cycle concept:
 Project Initiation (Chapters 2-6)
 Project Implementation (Chapters 7-11)
 Project Termination (Chapters 12-13)

Chapter 1-25