An overview of the project concept and the PMBOK standard. In this article, we review the project definition and the PMBOK standard in project management.
What is the project?
Every organization is engaged in the implementation of a series of specific tasks. These tasks generally include the implementation of projects or operations. Although these cases may have overlapped with each other. Operations and projects share many characteristics, including that each of them:
- They are implemented by people.
- They are constrained by limited resources.
- They are planned, implemented, and controlled.
Projects are often implemented as a tool to achieve the strategic plans of organizations. The difference between operations and projects primarily stems from the fact that operations are repetitive and permanent, while projects are temporary and unique. A project can be defined in terms of its unique characteristics.
A project is a temporary effort undertaken with the aim of creating a product or providing a unique service. Temporality means that every project has a definite start and end date. Being unique in its definition means that this product or service is different from other similar products and services in some aspects.
In many organizations, “projects” are tools to respond to those needs that cannot be achieved through the limited and usual operational implementation of the organization.
All levels of an organization are responsible for implementing projects. The number of people involved in a project may include only one person or thousands of people, and the duration of their implementation may be from a few weeks to more than 5 years. Also, projects may involve only one specific organizational unit in their work or may cross organizational boundaries with the aim of cooperation.
Projects are vital in terms of the self-realization of an organization’s strategies. Because they are tools for implementing these strategies. Examples of types of projects are as follows:
- Development of a new product or service
- Change in the structure of an organization and human resources
- Designing a new vehicle
- Developing or implementing a new information system or making changes to it
- Build a building or a tool
- Building a water system in a developing country
- Managing activities related to a struggle in a political office
- Implementation of a new business procedure or process
The temporary property of the project (Temporary)
Temporality means that every project has a definite start and end date. The end time of a project depends on the realization of one of the following:
- We have reached the goals of the project
- It is confirmed to us that the project could not or will not be able to achieve its goals
- The need to implement the project has disappeared and the project has expired.
The temporary nature of projects does not necessarily mean that their execution period is short. So many projects that last for years. However, in all cases, the duration of the project is limited. Projects are not continuous efforts.
In addition, generally, the concept of being temporary is not applied to the product or service created by the project. The projects may be subjected to environmental, social, or economic influences and pressures, intentionally or unintentionally, and these effects will prolong their implementation time. Most projects are committed to creating stable and lasting results.
What is PMBOK? – An overview of the project concept and the PMBOK standard
The phrase (PMBOK) is an abbreviation of Project Management Body Of Knowledge, in Persian, it is translated to the extent of project management knowledge, or in a simpler way to project management knowledge.
A body of knowledge means a complete and comprehensive set of information and skills that make up a profession.
PMBOK is the most famous global standard in project management and is the most common criterion for evaluating project management systems. In other words, it is a common language in project management.
The global PMBOK standard is one of the best project management standards in the world, which is reviewed every four years by its creator, PMI. PMBOK is not a regulation, but a standard! The implementation of the regulations is mandatory and the implementation of the standard is optional.
The PMBOK guide is formed and defined based on the processes performed.
Process groups categorize PMBOK processes according to their conceptual sequence. There are five process groups in PMBOK:
- The planning process group is in charge of project planning.
- The implementation process group is responsible for the implementation of the project plans.
- Monitoring and control process group that evaluates the compliance of implementation and program.
- A termination process group that performs some final project work.
The PMBOK has been completed over time and is now known and used as the “Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge”.
Benchmarks recommended by PMBOK are presented in 10 sections. Each of these sections is called a field of knowledge. The 10 areas of interest of PMBOK in version 6 are, respectively:
- Integration Management
- Scope Management
- Schedule Management
- Cost Management
- Quality Management
- Resource Management
- Communication Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- Stakeholder Management
To learn more about this standard, we suggest reading the article “The complete guide to project management based on PMBOK”.
Check Also:
The complete guide to project management in plain language: How to finish the project
