Characteristics of Projects

Characteristics of Projects

Shelton (1983)

•         Unique 
•         FiniteMulti-disciplinary 
•         Complex 
•         Dynamic 
•         High Risk

1.Involving a single, definable purpose or end item (Product or results)

2.Unique: a project requires doing things differently that before. A project is a one kind activity, never to be exactly repeated

3. Finite - A temporary activity: it is undertaken to accomplish a goal within a given period of time; once the goal is achieved the project ceases to exist

4.Multidisciplinary : utilizing skills and talents of multiple professions and organizations. 

5.Complex :a project often requires multiple skills that rely on task interdependencies which may introduce new and unique problems. 

6.Dynamic : the process of working to achieve goal. A project passes through several phases 

7.High Risk: it may encompasses new ideas, approaches, or technology and posses elements of significant uncertainty and risk. There is something at stake. Failure may jeopardize the organization or its goals

Progressive Elaboration 

Progressive elaboration is an iterative process designed to correctly and completely fulfill the project objectives. 

Do we consider this … ???

Do we continuously involve in the projects … ??? 

 Or 

Do we only monitor the progress and attend to problems … ???  

NEXT : Where do Projects originate? 

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What is Project ?????

What is Project ?????

When People See Something impressive

• A bridge arching high over a canyon
• A space probe touching down on a distance planet
• A motion picture such as Titanic
• A nifty computer the size of your hand

  They wonder ‘how did they do that ?’

  The people who organized and lead the effort that brought those wondrous thins from concept or idea into reality

The managers !!!

Project -
The Beginning

• During Third millennium B.C on the Great Pyramid set the last stone in place 

•  Despite the lack of sophisticated machinery they were able to raise and fit some 2,300,000 stone blocks weighing 2 to 70 tone a piece place with an accuracy of 0.04 inch
• The structure height of a modern 40 storey building covers 13 acres, deviates 1inch from level
• 140,000 skilled masons and laborers involved and 150,000 women and children also housed and fed 
• The planning, organizing, and controlling that were exercised throughout 20-years duration of the pyramid construction.  
  

September 11, 2003 – Attack on Twin Towers

Is it a Project … ??? 

• What about the scheduling !!!!!
• What about the resource management !!!!!
• What about the planning !!!!!  

The goodness of project management was used for destruction

What is a Project? 

  

Definitions

• A Temporary Endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service (PMI, 2000)

•  A project is a unique set of coordinated activities, with a definite starting and finishing point, undertaken by an individual or an organization to meet specific objectives within defined schedule, cost and performance parameters. (BS 6079-1, 2000)

•  Project can be defined as a non-routine, non-repetitive, one-off undertaking with discrete time, financial and technical performance goals (E.L. Hanson) 

• An approval for capital investment to develop facilities to provide goods and services (I.B.R.D. – World Bank)  

 

 Next: Characteristics of Projects

 

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