What is a project
There is no formal definition for a “project”. In conventional view, temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
There are some characteristics of projects.
- Projects have a definite start point and end point
- They are governed by scope, cost, and time goals
- Project require resources
- Can be part of programs, portfolios and strategies
- Projects end when their objectives have been reached or the project has been terminated
- Projects can be large or small and take short or long time to complete
A project that is deemed to be successful:
- The project met scope, time, and cost goals
- The project satisfied the customer/sponsor
- The results of the project met its main objectives
The context of IT projects
0 IT projects can be very diverse in terms of size, complexity, products produced, application area, and resource requirements
- IT project team members often have diverse backgrounds and skill sets
- IT projects use diverse technologies that change rapidly. Even within one technology area, people must be highly specialised
What is project management
Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. Project managers must not only strive to meet specific scope, time, cost, and quality goals of projects, but also facilitate the entire process to meet the needs and expectations of people involved in project activities or affected by them.
Project manager VS program manager
- Project managers
- Work with project sponsors, project team, and other people involved in a project to meet project goals
- Program
- Group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually. (e.g. A healthcare system program can have mobile APP project, cybersecurity project, and AI project)
- Program manager
- Oversee projects, often act as bosses for project managers
| Aspect | Project Manager (PM) | Program manager (PgM) |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Deliver project on time, within budget | Ensure projects contribute to business goals |
| Manages | Project team | Multiple project managers |
| Scope | Narrow, task-specific | Broad, strategic alignment |
| Focus | Single project | Multiple related projects |
Project management VS project portfolio management
Project management process groups
The project management process groups have five phrases: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & control, and closing.
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