What is a Project?

The other day I was giving a training to a number of project managers on PMP certification. Some were not sure which will fit into a project category or whether they will be eligible to give the PMP examination.

I have seen a number of definitions on project. However, I believe, PMI puts in a best possible way.

As PMI puts it:

“A project is temporary endeavor taken to create a unique product, service or result”

Now we will look into the various keywords here.

1. Temporary:

A project is a temporary one. It means “it will be have a finite beginning and finite end”. A project is never ongoing or infinite.

Have your ever heard a project going on for 20 years? If so, then it is not a project.

2. Endeavor:

A project means effort in its truest terms. And effort is being put forth by resources. For any project you need resources to accomplish.

3. Unique:

A project is always unique. Even if you built two building of similar types still, it is involved different times, different resources, different locations. Hence, it is unique.

4. Product or Service or Result:

Normally a project’s end result is a product.

Also, a project can be result in a service or capability to provide a service such a providing business functions supporting production and distribution.

5. Progressive Elaboration:

This term is not exclusively put forth, though the word endeavour means just that. It is form of continuous effort. However, PMI in its PMBOK defines later on Progressive Elaboration much widely.

This is a concept which comes along with the unique product or service. A project is typically broadly known in the beginning. Progressive elaboration means developing in steps and continuing by increments. As the project progresses, the team gets a clearer, explicit and more complete understanding of the project deliverables and objectives.

So, check the above principle and see if it can be treated as a project. And take a call based on it.

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