The Context of Project Management

References:Lecture Note


•Definitions:
–A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to accomplish a unique purpose.
–Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed project requirements


Project Attributes


•A project:
–Has a unique purpose.
–Is temporary.
–Is developed using progressive elaboration.
–Requires resources, often from various areas.
–Should have a primary customer or sponsor.
•The project sponsor usually provides the direction and funding for the project.
–Involves uncertainty.



Project and Program Managers


•Project managers work with project sponsors, project teams, and other people involved in projects to meet project goals.
•Program: “A group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually.” *
•Program managers oversee programs and often act as bosses for project managers.


*PMI, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK® Guide) (2004), p. 16.