Questions and Answers on Project Management

A project creates a capability to perform a service. A Project is always developed in steps and continuing by increments – Progressive Elaboration.” (Project Management Guide, 2011) There are 7 main characteristics of a project:

A project is defined by A Lester as, “a unique set of coordinated activities, with definite starting and finishing points, undertaken by an individual or organisation to meet specific objectives within defined schedule, cost and performance parameters” Lester (2007, p.1).

The paper is divided into three sections, the first of which will establish a timeline of events. This project background will serve as a case study for the analysis in the following section that will be structured such that each of the previously mentioned facets will be independently analyzed and contrasted with project management principles. Finally the paper will conclude with a summary of the analysis and recommendations based on

Project Scope is defined as the set of activities that must be undertaken to deliver a product, services, or result with defined features and specifications. Defining the scope and then adhering to it through the project life cycle is an integral part of the project. Failing to define the scope appropriately before start or even changing scope as the project proceeds may lead to significant time and cost implications for the project.

In this paper the word ‘project” is defined, discussed and elaborated on. The phases of a project lifecycle and its purpose are to be discussed, and how it is important for organizations to use project management to accomplish tasks will in conclusion be discussed thoroughly. The indisputable word ‘Project” may be defined in numerous unusual ways, some can all have the same meaning and others can mislead a reader. The definition that accurately explains what a project is, comes from the Houghton Mifflin Company (2009) website stating; “something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.” A definition that can mislead a reader is this definition from the same website just two paragraphs

A project is a temporary endeavour, undertaken to meet particular goals and objectives, having a defined beginning and end, usually to bring about beneficial change or added value. The temporary nature of projects stands in contrast to, which are repetitive, permanent or semi-permanent functional work to produce products or

The definition of a project is “a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service. Temporary means every project has a definite beginning and an end. Unique means that the product or service is different in some distinguishing way from all other products or services”.(Project Management Institute., 2008)

A project is a collaborative or individual entity which is temporary and unique in nature. In a

The author of this book defines a project as simply a unique specific deliverable that meets a specific purpose. Each project has three components which affect the others: specific scope, schedule, and required resources. Specific scope is the desired results or product while the schedule establishes beginning and ending dates for the project. Required resources are the number of people, funds or other resources needed to complete the project.

1-Project: " An endeavor in which human, material, and financial resources are organized in a novel way, to undertake a unique scope of work, of given specification, within constraints of cost and time, so as to achieve beneficial change defined by quantitative and qualitative objectives"(Turner & Müller 2003).

What is a project? Project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result)

‘A project is a connected sequence of activities involving a range of resources, designed to achieve a particular outcome and frequently used as an instrument of change. It takes place within a defined period of time and is the responsibility of a single individual or agency’ (CMI p17)

A project is the temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service. The elements of projects are: complex and one-time processes; limited by budget; schedules and resources; developed to resolve a clear goal or set of goals; and customer focussed. Project management the application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the project objectives. Tom Peters an American business management writer states a “Projects, rather than repetitive tasks, are now the basis for most value-added in business” (Peters, 1991, p. 1).

Organizations leaders are facing difficult challenges because of the rapid changes in government and technology, which has created pressure in organizations. The aforementioned changes have made way for a new type of management; project management, far different from the traditional structure for managing. This document will describe the definition of a project. The paper will also touch basis on the basic phases of the project life cycle and their purposes, and why it is important for organizations to use project management to accomplish tasks.

At first should the terminology be defined. A project is "a unique set of coordinated activities, with a definite start and finishing point, undertaken by an individual or organisation to meet specific objectives within