Course Title

Project Engineering

Chapter 1
Introduction to Project and Project
Management

Lecture 1 (week 1)
Concept of project, resources of project,
characteristics of project, difference
between project and program, project
management

Lecturer: Associate Prof Ishwar Adhikari

Learning Objective
The main objective of this lecture is to understand about:
 The concept of project.
 Resources of project.
 Characteristics of a project.
 Difference between project and program
 Introduction to project management.

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
1.1 CONCEPT OF PROJECT
Every product or services what we are acquiring today is the outcome of our necessity. For
fulfilling the desire or necessity, an idea is generated in a human mind. To translate the idea
into reality, a single person cannot do it alone. A person utilizes the different resources for
translating the idea into the physical form. The process of converting the idea into reality by
utilizing the different resources is said to be a project.
New scientific ideas, concepts and thoughts are being discovered every day and have caused a
very rapid advancement in the development of new technology. The benefits of these
advancements are reaching to people all corners which changed their behaviour and life styles,
as a result again creating new demands. The interaction between the increasing demand of the
world population and advancement of science and technology have given birth to different
types of project. [1]

DEFINITION OF PROJECT
“A project can be defined as a unique task (however large or small) with defined goal, limited
in cost and time and giving some benefits to the users after its completion”. [1]
“A project is defined as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique products or
services”. [2]
“A project is a collection of limited activities, carried out in an organized manner with a clearly
defined start and finish points, to achieve some specific results that satisfy the needs of an
organization as derived from the current business plans.” [3]
“A project is a combination of human and non-human resources pulled together in a temporary
organizations to achieve a specified purpose” [4]
For Engineering Purpose, the definition of a project can be:
A project is a set of one – time – only activities designed to attain:
 Specific objective within the constraints of time, cost and quality in dynamic
environment.
 Through the planning use and control of a variety or resources
 To create a unique product or service in temporary life span.

1.2 RESOURCES OF A PROJECT

Generally Denoted by 5 ‘M’
 Money
 Manpower
 Material

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
  Machine
 Minute/ Management
Management of the above listed 5 ‘M’s relies on core function of project management

From where project originates?

Projects generally originates from Policy prior to Plan (Policy: reduction in load shedding)

• Is an image, map or vision

PLAN • Example: Electrification

• Energy Development Related Program

PROGRAM • Example Renewable energy program, hydropower development
ME program, rural electrification program

• ABC Hydropower Project

PROJEC
TS

WORK • Civil works construction, electro mechanical works

PACKAGE

ACTIVIT • Construction of canal, construction of power house etc.

IES

A good project is that which is:

 Technically feasible
Because projects are
 Economically viable considered as cutting
edge of any development
 Socially acceptable
 Politically suitable &
 Environmentally friendly

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
EXAMPLES OF PROJECT
 Construction project (building, road, hydropower, etc.)
 Research and development project (Nuclear energy, medicine, etc.)
 Introducing new products in market
 Developing new or modified information system
 Running a campaign for political office.
 Producing movie or serial.
 Implementing new business procedure or process.
 Writing a book, thesis, novel etc.

1.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROJECT

Any task or job or work can be said as a project if it meets the certain characteristics.

1. A Defined Goal/ Objective

Clearly defined goals are essential so that each stakeholder understands the purpose and
vision of the project team. A project has clearly defined specific objectives or mission. It is
focused on end results. It ceases to exist when the goal have been achieved. For Example:
The goal of a construction project is to build an infrastructure or facility.

2. Unique
No two projects are absolutely similar to each other. Project involves doing something
which has not been done before and therefore it is unique. [2] The plants and machinery
used may be similar or identical, but one project is different from another due to its cost,
time, design, geographical location, set of people etc.

3. Specific task not routinely performed

No works are repeated again and again in a project. One type of task is performed only
once. For example: foundation work is performed only once in a building project.

4. Temporary (Life Span)

A project cannot go forever. Once its declared objectives are met, project ceases. Project
starts with the definite certain date and ends in the definite certain date. The duration or life
of the project depends upon its nature or scope. [5] Therefore project has a fixed time span
and is temporary.

5. Team Work
In a project, there are number of people involved and participating, generally called as
stakeholders. Projects work through team work. A project consists of multi-functional

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
 team. Team members are temporarily assigned from other functional departments. They
come from various disciplines with varied experiences. The key stakeholders in a project
are:

Project manager: the individual responsible for managing the overall project.
Customer: the individual or organization that will use the project’s product or services.

Performing organization: the enterprise whose employees are most directly involved in
doing the work of the project.
Sponsor: the individual or group that provides the financial resources in cash or in kind,
for the project.

Client: the individual or group which specifies the requirements.

6. Resource being consumed

Project consumes tremendous quantities of resources, all of which are paid for by the owner.
5M-Money, Material, Manpower, Machine and Minute are examples of the kinds of resources
that are managed and controlled by the project team. The project team has to perform the task
on limited resources. Efficiently managed projects minimize, balance and forecast resource
consumption for the owner.

7. Risk and Uncertainties

Risk and uncertainty go hand in hand with project. Even if a project appears to be risk free, it
only means that the risk element is not apparently visible on the surface and it will be hidden
underneath. The risk factor will come to surface when conditions become conducive to it. On
the other hand, risk gets managed as the project phase’s proceeds.

8. Planning and Control

Projects work to a plan. A project requires effective and efficient planning and control systems.
Standards are set for project activities through planning. They serve as yardsticks for measuring
project performance. [6] Actual performance is compared with standards to find out deviations.
Corrective actions are taken to control deviations.

9. Constraints
All projects have constraints. A project operates within the constraints of time, cost and quality
performance. It has a time schedule for various activities and a completion date as deadline. It
has its own budget to control costs. It has clearly laid down quality specifications. The scope
and boundaries of a project are clearly described. Project schedule sets deadlines.

10. Contracting and subcontracting

Most projects are contract-based. The project work is characterized by high level of contracting
and subcontracting. [7] Complexity increases the need for subcontracting. Contracts can be of

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
various types, such as lump- sum contract, unit price contract, negotiated cost plus fixed fee
contract and turnkey contract. Proper contract planning and management is the key to effective
project management. [6]

11. Progressive Elaboration

This characteristics integrates the concepts of temporary and unique. The product of each
project is unique, the characteristics that distinguish the product or service must progressively
elaborated. Progressive means “proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments” and
elaboration means “worked out with care and detail: thoroughly developed”. [2]

12. Life cycle

To translate an idea into reality, project has to undergo through the different well defined phases
which is the life cycle of a project.

13. Defined Deliverables

The owners specifies the requirement of the task before its initiation. Therefore it is clearly
known beforehand what the outcome of the project will be.

1.4 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROJECT AND PROGRAM

S.N. Point of Differences Project Program
It involves one time set It involves group of small
1 Nature
of activities. and large projects.
Involves single Involves multiple
undertakings, well undertaking, boundaries,
2 Scope defined objective, scope scope and objective may
and timeframe. differ for various project.
Specific objective for Overall sectoral objectives
Objective
3 each project depending for the program as a whole.
upon nature and size.
It has fixed life span. It has flexible life span.
Specific beginning and Program spread over
end points. It ends with various plans. Objectives
4 Life Span
the accomplishment of can be achieved over a long
objectives. period of time.

It is customized or tailor- It is for the benefit of

made to customer different target groups at
Tailor-made
5 specifications or benefits different time periods. It
a particular group. benefits the overall society.

It is entrusted to one It is entrusted to program

Responsibility project manager and has managers with program
6
its own budget. budgets.

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
 It is the part of the It is an integral part of a
7 Coverage overall program. national development or
corporate plan.
It is governed by the set It is governed by the rigid
Rules and Regulations of flexible rules and rules and regulations
8
regulations. guided by overall
governmental directives.

Table Source: [5]

1.5 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Management is the art of getting things done through and with people in formally organized
groups. [8] Management increases the productivity through technological innovation taking
into account human factors involved in these advances. [9] Project management is the creation
of something that did not previously exist on ad-hoc basis, so that the project meets cost,
schedule and scope objectives. [7]
Principles of general management apply to project management. It is new approach of thinking
about achieving objectives within stipulated time, allocated budget and performance standards.
Project management is highly specialised job, to achieve the objective of a project. Project
management involves planning, scheduling and controlling of activities. Planning and
Scheduling are accomplished before the actual project, and controlling phase is to recognize
the difficulties during the execution. [9]
It is a new way of thinking about management. It manages complexity and change in a dynamic
environment. It makes efficient use of resources for better client satisfaction. Project
management is a system approach for efficient and effective achievement of project objectives
through:
 Assignment of total project responsibility and accountability to a single person i.e.
project manager
 Coordination across and with the stakeholders
 Proper utilization of planning and control tools for better resource use within constraints
of time, cost and quality
Customer focus

Objective

Quality Figure: Model of

Project
Management [7]
Better Resource Use

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
DEFINITION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 “Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to
project activities to meet the project requirements.” [2]
 Project management is accomplished through the use of processes such as initiating,
planning, executing, controlling and closing. [2]
 Project management is a “series of activities embodied in a process of getting things
done by working with the members of the project team and with other people in order
to reach the project schedule, cost and technical performance activities”. [10]
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONCEPT
 All work is a process and processes combine to create a phase
 Various phases with well-defined milestone make up a project.
 Uncertainty and risk is inevitable in each phase.
 Inability to measure and manage uncertainty is worst enemy of a project.
 By using specific tools and systematic application, project can be effectively
managed.
Basically nine managerial functions are involved in managing the project. [2]
 Project Integration Management (plan development)
 Project Scope Management
 Project Time Management
 Project Cost Management
 Project Risk Management
 Project Human Resource Management
 Project Quality Management
 Project Communication Management
 Project Procurement Management

REFERENCES
[1] Fundamentals of PERT/CPM and Project Management: S.K.Bhattacharjee, Second
Edition, Khanna Publishers, New Delhi, India, 2002.
[2] A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK): 2000 Edition, Project
Management institute, Newton Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
[3] Planning Projects: Trevor L. Young, Sterling Publishers (P) Limited, New Delhi, India,
1996.

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)
[4] System Analysis and Project management : Cleland David and D.W. King. McGraw Hill,
New York, USA, 1967.
[5] Project Management, Planning, Analysis and Control: Bhakti P. Sharma, First Edition,
Ekta Books Distributors Pvt. Ltd, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006.
[6] Project Management in Nepal: Dr. Govind Ram Agarwal, M.K. Publishers and
Distributors, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006.
[7] Project Management : Dhurba P. Rizal, First Edition, Ratna Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu,
Nepal, 2001.
[8] http://articles-junction.blogspot.com/2017/04/definition-of-management.html.
[9] Project Planning and Control with PERT and CPM: Dr. B.C. Punmia and K.K.Khandelwal,
Third Edition, Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd, New Delhi, Inida, 1987.
[10] Project management: Strategic Design and Implementation, Cleland David, New York:
McGraw Hill, 1995.

Prepared By: Associate Prof. Ishwar Adhikari/Department of Civil Engineering/Kathmandu Engineering

College (Affiliated to Tribhuvan University)