What is a project?
The source material describes a project as a temporary endeavor that produces a unique product, service, or result.
Projects have a beginning and an end and may exist inside a larger program or portfolio.
Project vs. program vs. portfolio
Project
A temporary effort focused on a defined outcome.
Program
A coordinated group of related projects managed together to obtain benefits or control that would not be available by managing them independently.
Portfolio
A collection of projects, programs, subsidiary portfolios, and operations managed together to support strategic objectives.
Operations
Ongoing production or service activity rather than a temporary project effort.
Projects create change
A useful mental model is:
Current State → Project / Change → Desired State
The project is the vehicle that helps move the organization from the current condition toward the desired condition.
Deliverables
A deliverable is a unique and verifiable product, service, or result.
A project can be divided into phases, with each phase producing one or more deliverables.
Project governance
Governance is the framework within which project decisions are made.
The source material highlights three pillars:
- Structure
- People
- Information
Practical PM questions
At project start:
- Why are we doing this?
- What outcome is expected?
- Who owns decisions?
- What is in scope?
- What constraints exist?
- How will success be measured?
During delivery:
- Are we progressing toward the intended outcome?
- What has changed?
- What risks or issues need decisions?
- Are stakeholders aligned?
At closure:
- Was the deliverable accepted?
- Were outstanding items handled?
- What should be learned?