What is a Project? (Episode 01)

A Project is a Temporary Endeavour undertaken to create a Unique Product, Service or Result.

– By PMI )Project Management Institute).

The statement above is the definition of a Project by Project Management Institute. Let us understand few words from this definition:

  • Temporary Endeavour – It means that a Project will have a start and an end date. So a Project cannot just keep on going. That is not called a Project but an Operation.
  • Unique Product / Service / Result – Whenever you are trying to create a new Product, it’s going to be different, in other words “unique” (it can be a software, hardware or anything that can be used by your customers). The same is with the service which is going to be unique for each customer (for example implementing Business Central for different customers) Or it can be a unique Result.

Example:

  • New Product – Building a Time Management Software.
  • New Service – Implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
  • Improvement to Existing Product / Service – New Feature Addition to the Business Central Implementation.
  • Producing A Result – Creating a Document Explaining How Dynamics 365 Business Central Purchase Process Works.

Project Vs Operation

Following are some parameters, based on which you can differentiate and understand how you can use Project Service Automation for your Projects.

Parameter Project Operation
Duration Temporary Ongoing
Output Unique Repetitive
Purpose Create a unique product, service or result. Sustain the business
End When specific objectives are attended Adopt a new set of objectives and the work continues

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