Lesson 1: What is a Project?
Definition of a Project 2: Unique
The second component of the definition of a project (after temporary) is that they are unique.
This doesn’t mean that any given project cannot have key similarities to other projects. In fact, a smart (e.g. employed) Project Manager will actively search for similar projects to the one she/he is poised to work on in order to see what some of the risks and realities might be.
What it does mean, however, is that the process to create your project is unique, and therefore, the product of the project (the thing the project creates) is subsequently unique. This is distinct from a program, which often uses an existing process and duplicates it over and over to produce a replicated product. An assembly line is an example of a program, while building a skyscraper is an example of a project.
Are you having fun yet?
Don’t answer that; not until we get to our third component of the definition of a project: a process that performs. This one is a little tough, so stand up and get a coffee first. I’ll wait for you here.
Dum de dum…. stangers in the niiiiiightttt……
References used in this section (these books are available for order via the Resources link above):
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, by the Project Management Institute. Chapter 1.
The Project Manager’s Desk Reference, by James P. Lewis. Chapter 1.
