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Define project
Short answer
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. It has a definite beginning and end, needs resources, involves uncertainty and risk, and is bound by scope, time, and cost. It ends when objectives are met or it is cancelled.
What is a project? Define project.
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result (PMBOK). Schwalbe defines it the same way: a temporary effort with a definite beginning and end, aimed at a unique outcome.
Key points in the definition
- Temporary: every project has a start date and an end date. It ends when its objectives are met, or when it is cancelled.
- Unique: the product, service or result differs in some way from similar ones. Even building two similar houses differs in site, people and conditions.
- Endeavor / effort: it needs resources (people, money, equipment) and organised work.
- Progressive elaboration: details become clearer step by step as the project proceeds.
Attributes of a project
- It has a unique purpose and a sponsor or customer.
- It needs resources from various areas.
- It involves uncertainty and risk.
- It is bound by scope, time and cost.
Examples
- Developing a hospital management system for a hospital in Pokhara.
- Building a new bridge, organising a college fest, or launching a mobile banking app.
Not a project
Running the daily payroll, operating a server room or processing bank transactions are operations: they are ongoing and repetitive.
| Project | Operation |
|---|---|
| Temporary | Ongoing |
| Unique output | Repetitive output |
| Ends when goal met | Continues to sustain business |
In ICT, a project may be software development, network installation, data centre migration or an ERP rollout.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)