1.1 Definition of Project Management - 1.1 Definition of Project Management
Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. It involves initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing projects. The primary goal is to deliver a project that meets or exceeds stakeholder expectations within defined constraints such as scope, time, and cost.
Key Concepts
1. Project
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. It has a defined beginning and end, and it is progressively elaborated. Projects are distinct from ongoing operations, which are repetitive and continuous.
Example: Building a new bridge is a project because it has a specific start and end date, and it results in a unique structure. In contrast, maintaining the existing bridges is an ongoing operation.
2. Project Management
Project Management is the practice of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria. It involves managing resources, risks, and stakeholders to ensure the project is completed successfully.
Example: Managing the construction of a new office building involves coordinating architects, contractors, and suppliers, as well as ensuring compliance with safety regulations and budget constraints.
3. Project Manager
A Project Manager is the person responsible for leading the project team and managing the project's scope, time, cost, and quality. They are accountable for the project's success and are often the primary point of contact for stakeholders.
Example: In a software development project, the Project Manager would oversee the entire lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment, ensuring that the software is delivered on time and within budget.
4. Project Lifecycle
The Project Lifecycle consists of several phases that a project goes through, typically including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Each phase has specific objectives and deliverables, and they are sequential but may overlap.
Example: In a construction project, the initiation phase might involve feasibility studies, the planning phase would include detailed design and scheduling, the execution phase would involve actual construction, and the closing phase would include final inspections and handover.
5. Stakeholders
Stakeholders are individuals or organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by the project's execution or completion. They may also exert influence over the project's objectives and outcomes.
Example: In a healthcare project to implement a new electronic health record system, stakeholders might include doctors, nurses, IT staff, patients, and regulatory bodies.