Cmgt 410
What are some of the characteristics that differentiate projects from other functions carried out in the daily operations of an organization? List some examples of work considered to be a project and work not considered to be a project.
A project can be defined as something which is very complex; it has a specific and limited time line which means that it has a start as well an end. Different from day to day business routines which take place on frequent basis while at the same time a project is a non-routine task which means doing something which has never been done before. Before every project is made it is given a budget which is the cost to complete the project. Successful projects are said to be those projects which are completed within the cost and time assigned to them. Projects are also successful when resources are effectively and efficiently utilized. Projects cannot be completed with total accuracy because they contain certain risk and uncertainty. The concept of what a project is can be confused with mission statements, organizational objectives, directives, initiatives and a dozen other terms that may be related to projects, but are not projects themselves. Facilities management and information system groups, for example, have maintenance projects. But they often neglect to distinguish between a maintenance as a project and maintenance as an on-going operation. True maintenance projects come to closure so a facilities team installing a new air conditioner or handling routine upgrades to an operating system are on-going work which is better suited to operations management than project management. Reference
Technical Pathways. (2009). Managing Multiple Projects. Retrieved from
A project can be defined as something which is very complex; it has a specific and limited time line which means that it has a start as well an end. Different from day to day business routines which take place on frequent basis while at the same time a project is a non-routine task which means doing something which has never been done before. Before every project is made it is given a budget which is the cost to complete the project. Successful projects are said to be those projects which are completed within the cost and time assigned to them. Projects are also successful when resources are effectively and efficiently utilized. Projects cannot be completed with total accuracy because they contain certain risk and uncertainty. The concept of what a project is can be confused with mission statements, organizational objectives, directives, initiatives and a dozen other terms that may be related to projects, but are not projects themselves. Facilities management and information system groups, for example, have maintenance projects. But they often neglect to distinguish between a maintenance as a project and maintenance as an on-going operation. True maintenance projects come to closure so a facilities team installing a new air conditioner or handling routine upgrades to an operating system are on-going work which is better suited to operations management than project management. Reference
Technical Pathways. (2009). Managing Multiple Projects. Retrieved from