Chapter 1. Introduction to Project Management
1.0 Learning Objectives and Overview
Learning Objectives
- Define projects and explain the characteristics of the projects.
- Explain two main project characteristics (uniqueness and being temporary) that distinguish projects from operations and processes.
- Identify primary project constraints.
- Explain why projects cannot be successful all the time.
- Elaborate on the project management life cycle, the process groups, and knowledge areas.
Overview
This chapter’s primary objective is to list and explain the key concepts related to project management and describe important benefits related to projects as well as the formal study of project management. This chapter provides an overview of project management, defining both projects and project management and exploring the difference between project management and operations management. Technological innovations and disruptions, and constantly changing social and economic conditions locally and all across the world impose new burdens on the organizations to shorten the time needed to develop and deliver new products and services that would increase organizations’ competitive advantage. Therefore, many organizations have become more aware of adopting a systematic project management approach that can drive the change they desire (see Chapter 12). This chapter also provides the concepts of project life cycle, project management process groups, and project management knowledge areas according to the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition.
