A project can be described as a temporary organisation that will focus on the:

1. creation of a group of business deliverables as defined by the project scope
2. within an agreed time frame (usually of a year or less)
3. within cost budget and quality parameters

A project is the implementation of a change, with a beginning, middle and an end. It will also have a finite time frame, it will be unique (every project is different in some way), people are involved and it will usually have finite resources.

There is a direct correlation between the size of a project and its risk of failure. The duration of a project should be preferably of no more than one year.

A project its justified by its business case and will deliver some form of new product, service, system or business process.

3 Characteristics of a Project:

1. it must have a goal
2. it must be initiated, as projects do not usually happen spontaneously
3. it needs someone (project manager) to run it and steer it through to achievement of the goal

Every Project Should:

1. have documented objectives (which have been agreed by management) and adequate resources allocated to carry out the project
2. be managed by a project manager
3. defined project life cycle and outline project plan
4. any changes to project objectives or requirements (scope) should have been recognised and documented
5. be reviewed by senior management on a periodic basis
6. submit regular progress reports, with some measure of their planned and actual performance on budget and timescale

The role of the project manager is to deliver the project on time, within budget and with the needs of the business fully met.