What is a Project?

Today I want to summarize the PM e-learning content. I'll write down them all here. This is the first article of study material.

What is a Project? 
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken tocreate a unique product or service.

Temporary – All projects must have a definite beginning and a definite end. Projects are not ongoing activities. They are time bounded. 
A common mistake made in many organizations is that projects are often started which attempt to apply project management techniques to work that is not time and resource bounded. This becomes problematic for reasons that will become clearer throughout this course. Many “projects” flounder because they are not really projects. If you are having difficulty specifying a starting point and end point for your work effort, you should consider whether or not your activities meet this critical test of a project.


Endeavor – An endeavor is work undertaken by people.


Create – The objective of a project is to make something . This is one of the classic tests of a project. Does it leave something behind? The product or service created by a project can be physical (for example, a computer system, a bridge, a building), or it can be intellectual (for example, an idea, a law). It could be a piece of music, a book, a picture, a report, and so on.


Unique – Every project must consider itself and its deliverable to be unique. Projects should assume that they are creating something new or different from what is currently or previously available. Good project management practice helps to ensure that appropriate techniques are followed for creating new things. 

A project is a unique process, consisting of a set of coordinated and controlled activities with start and finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective that conforms to specific requirements, including the constraints of time, cost, and resources (from ISO 10006).

Projects differ from operations, such as manufacturing, in that operations are ongoing and repetitive, while projects are temporary and unique (from PMI). Projects can range from simple efforts to large, complex undertakings that require much time effort and money. 

What Is a Program?

A program is a group of related projects and other activities managed in a coordinated way to achieve a common long-term objective.

A program is realized through multiple projects and ongoing activity that does not have a definite beginning and end. For example, ongoing activities such as maintenance, research, ongoing product life cycle management, and so on. Programs provide a way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing projects individually.

The scope of a program might be broadly defined and evolve over time as the business or organization develops, or it might be specifically defined to achieve an agreed set of goals. 

What Are the Main Differences between a Program and a Project?


The main differences between a program and a project are that a program achieves a strategy or mission, is realized through the comprehensive management of multiple interrelated projects, and has a scope that might either be broadly defined or be specific. A project, on the other hand, has a start and a finish, achieves a single set of defined objectives, and is a tactical initiative.

An example of a program is the running of a hotel, whereas an example of a project under this program is refurbishing part or all of the hotel installations, painting the building, or launching a marketing initiative to increase occupancy.