---
title: "Define project"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:define-project"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/define-project
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define project

ICT Project Management · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: year not given; year not given
- Video: [Master Project Management Fundamentals in Under 10 Minutes!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThDdHETxA-g) — PM Aspirant
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/define-project
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-1

## Question

What is a project? 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.

## Answer

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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. According to PMBOK, a project is best defined as:
   A. An ongoing set of repetitive activities that sustain the business
   B. A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result
   C. A permanent department that delivers services
   D. Any task done by a team within one month
   Answer: B. PMBOK defines a project as a temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service or result. (Key point: Definition of a project)

2. What does 'temporary' mean for a project?
   A. The project is of low importance
   B. The project has no budget
   C. It has a definite start and end, ending when objectives are met or it is cancelled
   D. The project result lasts only a short time
   Answer: C. Temporary refers to the project's duration having a start and end date, not the lifetime of its product. (Key point: Temporary)

3. Progressive elaboration in a project means:
   A. Details become clearer step by step as the project proceeds
   B. All details are fixed before the project starts
   C. The project is repeated in cycles forever
   D. The budget grows gradually
   Answer: A. Planning starts rough and is refined as more information becomes available. (Key point: Progressive elaboration)

4. Which of these is an operation, not a project?
   A. Building a new bridge
   B. Launching a mobile banking app
   C. Organising a college fest
   D. Running the daily payroll
   Answer: D. Daily payroll is ongoing and repetitive, which characterises operations. (Key point: Project vs operation)