1a Basic Definitions

What is a "Project"?

PMI, the Project Management Institute, gives us this answer:

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

IPMA, the International Project Management Association, defines similarly:

A project is a time and cost constrained operation to realize a set of defined deliverables (the scope to fulfill the project's objectives) up to quality standards and requirements.

This means that we differentiate projects from other endeavours: A project is an endeavor undertaken in order to create a result that is unique in terms of scope, schedule, and budget.

Examples:

1. Exchange the stairs in our two-story family home.
2. A vacation of two weeks for 4 people on two jeeps in Outback Australia
3. Construct a new office building of five stories for 400 employees

What is "Project Management"?

According to PMI, project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.

Almost every project needs contributions of experts in different areas. For the duration of the project, these experts form a team, the project team. Consequently, project management comprises all methods, skills, and activities necessary to lead project teams and coordinate and organize the project work.

Thus, each team member (project manager, sub-project manager, team member) has his or her share in project management activities in addition to his or her actual content-oriented contributions.