--- title: "Define project and its characteristics" subject: "Project Engineering" chapter: 1 key: "semester_7/project_engineering:define-project-characteristics" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/define-project-characteristics site: BCT Engineering --- # Define project and its characteristics Project Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction of Project and Project Management - Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 6 marks; 2072 Chaitra, 1+4 marks; 2066 Bhadra (old course), 8 marks; 2070 Chaitra (old course), 2+3+3 marks (asked 4 times) - Video: [Project Management: An explanation of The 5 Characteristics of Projects](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpojxzFJh18) — SPM - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/define-project-characteristics - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-1 ## Question Define a project. Explain the characteristics of a project with appropriate examples. ## Short answer A project is a temporary endeavor with a unique output, constrained by time, cost, and quality. Its characteristics include a specific objective, definite life span, uniqueness, progressive elaboration, temporary team, limited resources, uncertainty, interdependent tasks, stakeholders, and multi-disciplinary work. ## Answer #### Definition A **project** is a temporary endeavour, with a definite start and end, undertaken by a team to create a unique product, service or result within limited time, cost and quality constraints. Examples: building the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, a 100 MW hydropower plant, a bridge, or developing a hospital information system. #### Characteristics | Characteristic | Meaning | Example | |---|---|---| | Specific objective | Defined purpose and deliverable | Complete a 40 m span bridge | | Definite life span | Fixed start and end date | Start Shrawan 2080, finish Asar 2082 | | Unique / non-routine | Not a repetitive task; each project differs in site, design, conditions | Two dams are never identical | | Progressive elaboration | Details are developed step by step as information increases | Concept, feasibility, detailed design, drawings | | Temporary team | Team formed for the project and dispersed at the end | Engineers, contractors, consultants | | Limited resources | Fixed budget, manpower, equipment, time | Budget of NRs 50 crore | | Uncertainty and risk | Future events cannot be fully predicted | Landslide, price rise, delay in land acquisition | | Interdependent tasks | Activities depend on each other | Foundation before columns | | Customer / stakeholders | Client, funder, users, public | Department of Roads, donor, villagers | | Multi-disciplinary and cross-functional | Different specialists work together | Civil, electrical, environment, finance | ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which statement best defines a project? A. A temporary endeavour with a definite start and end, undertaken by a team to create a unique product, service or result B. A continuing operation that produces the same output every day under standard procedures C. Any activity carried out by a permanent department with no time limit D. A routine task repeated by the same staff to maintain existing output Answer: A. A project is temporary, has a definite start and end, and creates something unique within time, cost and quality limits. (Key point: Definition of a project) 2. Which characteristic means a project has a fixed start and finish date? A. Progressive elaboration B. Interdependent tasks C. Definite life span D. Uncertainty and risk Answer: C. A definite life span means the project has a start and an end, e.g. Shrawan 2080 to Asar 2082. (Key point: Definite life span) 3. 'Foundation must be done before columns' illustrates which characteristic? A. Unique task B. Limited resources C. Temporary team D. Interdependent tasks Answer: D. Activities depend on each other in sequence. (Key point: Interdependent tasks) 4. Why do projects carry uncertainty and risk? A. Future events like landslides, price rises or land delays cannot be fully predicted B. Because the team is always inexperienced C. Because projects have no objectives D. Because the budget is unlimited Answer: A. Projects are one-off and long, so unforeseen events can affect them. 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