Project management MRS.ASMAR M.

What is a Project?

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

The temporary nature of projects indicates that a project has a definite beginning and end.
The end is reached when the project’s objectives have been achieved or when the project is
terminated because its objectives will not or cannot be met, or when the need for the project
no longer exists. A project may also be terminated if the client (customer, sponsor, or
champion) wishes to terminate the project. Temporary does not necessarily mean the
duration of the project is short. It refers to the project’s engagement and its longevity.
Temporary does not typically apply to the product, service, or result created by the project;
most projects are undertaken to create a lasting outcome. For example, a project to build a
national monument will create a result expected to last for centuries. Projects can also have
social, economic, and environmental impacts that far outlive the projects themselves.

Every project creates a unique product, service, or result. The outcome of the project may
be tangible or intangible. Although repetitive elements may be present in some project
deliverables and activities, this repetition does not change the fundamental, unique
characteristics of the project work. For example, office buildings can be constructed with
the same or similar materials and by the same or different teams. However, each building
project remains unique with a different location, different design, different circumstances
and situations, different stakeholders, and so on. .

A project can create:

 A product that can be either a component of another item, an enhancement of an

item, or an end item in itself;
 A service or a capability to perform a service (e.g., a business function that supports
production or distribution);
 An improvement in the existing product or service lines (e.g., A Six Sigma project
undertaken to reduce defects); or
 A result, such as an outcome or document (e.g., a research project that develops
knowledge that can be used to determine whether a trend exists or a new process will
benefit society).

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

- Developing a new product, service, or result;

- Effecting a change in the structure, processes, staffing, or style of an organization;
- Developing or acquiring a new or modified information system (hardware or software);
- Conducting a research effort whose outcome will be aptly recorded;
 Project management MRS.ASMAR M.
- Constructing a building, industrial plant, or infrastructure; or
- Implementing, improving, or enhancing existing business processes and procedures.

What is Project Management?

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project
activities to meet the project requirements. Project management is accomplished through
the appropriate application and integration of the 47 logically grouped project management
processes, which are categorized into five Process Groups.

These five Process Groups are:

1- Initiating

The Initiating Process Group consists of those processes performed to define a new project
or a new phase of an existing project by obtaining authorization to start the project or phase.
Within the Initiating processes, the initial scope is defined and initial financial resources are
committed. Internal and external stakeholders who will interact and influence the overall
outcome of the project are identified. If not already assigned, the project manager will be
selected.

2 -Planning

The Planning Process Group consists of those processes performed to establish the total
scope of the effort, define and refine the objectives, and develop the course of action
required to attain those objectives. The Planning processes develop the project management
plan and the project documents that will be used to carry out the project .

3 - Executing:

The Executing Process Group consists of those processes performed to complete the work
defined in the project management plan to satisfy the project specifications. This Process
Group involves coordinating people and resources, managing stakeholder expectations, as
well as integrating and performing the activities of the project in accordance with the
project management plan.

4- Monitoring and Controlling :

The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group consists of those processes required to
track, review, and orchestrate the progress and performance of the project; identify any
areas in which changes to the plan are required; and initiate the corresponding changes. The
key benefit of this Process Group is that project performance is measured and analyzed at
 Project management MRS.ASMAR M.
regular intervals, appropriate events, or exception conditions to identify variances from the
project management plan

5- Closing :

The Closing Process Group consists of those processes performed to conclude all activities
across all Project Management Process Groups to formally complete the project, phase, or
contractual obligations. This Process Group, when completed, verifies that the defined
processes are completed within all of the Process Groups to close the project or a project
phase, as appropriate, and formally establishes that the project or project phase is complete.

Managing a project typically includes, but is not limited to:

- Identifying requirements;
- Addressing the various needs, concerns, and expectations of the stakeholders as
the project is planned and carried out
- Setting and maintaining active communication with stakeholders
- Balancing the competing project constraints, which include, but are not limited to

 Scope
 Quality
 Schedule
 Budget
 Resources
 Risks

The specific project features and circumstances can influence the constraints on which the
project management team needs to focus.

The relationship among these factors is such that if any one factor changes, at least one
other factor is likely to be affected. For example, if the schedule is shortened, often the
budget needs to be increased to add additional resources to complete the same amount of
work in less time. If a budget increase is not possible, the scope or targeted quality may be
reduced to deliver the project’s end result in less time within the same budget amount.

Project stakeholders may have differing ideas as to which factors are the most important,
creating an even greater challenge. Changing the project requirements or objectives may
create additional risks. The project team needs to be able to assess the situation, balance the
demands, and maintain proactive communication with stakeholders in order to deliver a
successful project.
 Project management MRS.ASMAR M.
The Relationships Among Portfolios, Programs, and Projects

Programmes:.

A programme is: a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain

benefits and control not available from managing them individually, or alternatively; a
collection of projects that are linked together by a business need and clearly defined
benefits.

Project portfolios:

A project portfolio is: a collection of projects and / or programmes and other work that is
grouped together to facilitate the effective management of that work to meet strategic
business objectives, or alternatively; a collection of programmes or projects that define the
totality of the organisation's investment in change to facilitate strategic business objectives .

The relationship among portfolios, programs, and projects is such that a portfolio refers to a
collection of projects, programs, subportfolios, and operations managed as a group to
achieve strategic objectives. Programs are grouped within a portfolio and are comprised of
subprograms, projects, or other work that are managed in a coordinated fashion in support
of the portfolio. Individual projects that are either within or outside of a program are still
considered part of a portfolio. Although the projects or programs within the portfolio may
not necessarily be interdependent or directly related, they are linked to the organization’s
strategic plan by means of the organization’s portfolio.
 Project management MRS.ASMAR M.
IMPORTANT (PMI) DEFINITIONS

Standard:

A document that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines, or
characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum
degree of order in a given context.

What is the Project Management Institute (PMI)?

PMI is a professional organization for project management knowledge and frameworks,

PMI’s global standards are the foundation of the profession. Founded in 1969 in
Pennsylvania USA. With more than 500,000 members.

What is the Project Management Professional (PMP)?

PMP credential is a globally recognized certification that will open the door for you to work
in different sectors and demonstrate a high level in leading and directing the project team.

You can get the PMP certificate only from PMI.

Sponsor:

The person or group that provides the financial resources, in cash or in kind, for the project.

Stakeholder:

Person or organization (e.g., customer, sponsor, performing organization, or the public) that
is actively involved in the project, or whose interest may be positively or negatively
affected by execution or completion of the project. A stakeholder may also exert influence
over the project and its deliverables.

Brain Storming:

A general data gathering and creativity technique that can be used to identify risks, ideas or
solutions.

Milestone:

A significant point or event in the project

For instance, if you are designing an advertising campaign, obtaining sketches and images might be
considered a project checkpoint. If you obtain them on schedule halfway through the project, you'll know
the project is 50% complete( checkpoints or percentages of completion) .