What is a Project?
The word project is defined as “something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme” (Project, n.d.). The Project Management Institute (PMI®) defines a project as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.”
Projects are a major component of how work gets done across all industries and around the globe. Project management is the discipline and set of techniques that are used to make sure the project is done accurately – the expected value is delivered, the risks are managed, the resources are utilized effectively, and quality results are obtained.
The roots of modern project management in the United States are normally traced to the building of the transcontinental railroad. As a discipline, project management has advanced through major government and military projects over the past 50-60 years. Private industry has aided the development of best practices, tools, and techniques in the most recent years. Project management is now recognized as a core competency for many professionals in fields as diverse as business, information technology, and health care.