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What Is A Project?: CODL-BIT (External) University of Moratuwa

The document defines a project as a unique, complex sequence of connected activities that must be completed within specific time, budget, and quality constraints to achieve a goal, distinguishing it from ongoing programs or routine tasks. It discusses the key parameters that constrain projects and introduces the scope triangle model to balance scope, time, and cost. The document also emphasizes the importance of classifying projects based on characteristics to determine the appropriate management processes.

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Udeshika Wanninayake
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31 views15 pages

What Is A Project?: CODL-BIT (External) University of Moratuwa

The document defines a project as a unique, complex sequence of connected activities that must be completed within specific time, budget, and quality constraints to achieve a goal, distinguishing it from ongoing programs or routine tasks. It discusses the key parameters that constrain projects and introduces the scope triangle model to balance scope, time, and cost. The document also emphasizes the importance of classifying projects based on characteristics to determine the appropriate management processes.

Uploaded by

Udeshika Wanninayake
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

What is a Project?

Wysocky, 2014, R.K. Effective Project Management :


Traditional, Agile, Extreme. 7th Edition, Wiley.

Lesson 1:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CODL- BIT( External)
University of Moratuwa 1
Learning Outcomes
• Define a project
• List a project’s characteristics
• Distinguish a project from a program, activity, and task
• Understand the five parameters that constrain a project
• Know the importance of defining and using a project classification
rule
• Understand the issues around scope creep, hope creep, effort creep,
and feature creep

2
Lesson Outline
• Defining a project
• Defining a program
• Project parameters
• Understanding the scope triangle
• Applying the scope triangle
• Watch out for the “Creeps”
• Establishing the rules for classifying
projects 3
What is a Project?

Defining a Project
A project is a sequence of unique, complex, and
connected activities having one goal or purpose and
that must be completed by a specific time, within
budget, and according to specification.

Activity C
Activity E
Activity A
Activity D
Activity B

What’s missing from this definition?


Defining a Program

A program is a collection of projects that share a


common goal or purpose.

Program 1 Program 2

Project C
Project E
Project A
Project D
Project B
Project Parameters

• Scope
• Quality
• Cost
• Time
• Resource Availability
What is a Project?

Understanding the Scope Triangle

Co
Tim

st
Scope and Quality

Resource Availability Figure


01-01
What is a Project?

Creeps to Watch Out For

• Scope Creep
• Hope Creep
• Effort Creep
• Feature Creep
What is a Project?

Applying the Scope Triangle

 The Scope Triangle is a system in balance.

 The lengths of the three sides exactly bound scope and quality.

 Change in the variables will cause the system to be out of balance

 In such cases use the scope triangle to

 Build a problem escalation strategy


 To structure the Project Impact Statement
What is a Project?

Project Classification

 To adopt a “one size fits all”


approach to every project is
just asking for trouble.

 Your approach to managing


any project must adapt to the
characteristics of the project.

 A classification rule can help


you choose that approach.
What is a Project?

Classification by Project Characteristics

• Risk
• Business Value
• Duration
• Complexity
• Technology used
• Number of departments affected
• Cost
What is a Project?

Example Project Classes and Definitions


CLASS DURATION RISK COMPLEXITY TECHNOLOGY LIKELIHOOD OF
PROBLEMS

Type A > 18 months High High Breakthrough Certain

Type B 9-18 months Medium Medium Current Likely

Type C 3-9 months Low Low Best of Breed Unlikely

Type D <3 months Very Low Very Low Practical None


What is a Project?

Classification by Project Type

• Installing software
• Recruiting and hiring
• Setting up a hardware system in a field office
• Soliciting, evaluating and selecting vendors
• Updating a corporate procedure
• Developing application systems
What is a Project?

Required and Optional Processes


Project Management Process Project Classification
IV III II I
Define
Conditions of Satisfaction R R O O
Project Overview Statement R R R R
Approval of Request R R R R
Plan
Conduct Planning Session R R O O
Prepare Project Proposal R R R R
Approval of Proposal R R R R
Launch
Kick-Off Meeting R R O O
Task Schedule R R R R
Resource Assignments R R R O
Statements of Work R O O O
Monitor/Control
Status Reporting R R R R
Project Team Meetings R R O O
Approval of Deliverables R R R R
Close
Post-implementation Audit R R R R
Project Notebook R R O O

R = Required O = Optional
What is a Project?

Classification by Project Type


• Software installation
• Recruiting and hiring
• Set-up hardware in a field office
• Vendor solicitation, evaluation and selection
• Updating a corporate procedure
• Application systems development

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