Engineering Project Management (IENG300)
Chapter 1
Modern Project
Management
Saeed Bamashmos
What is a Project?
• A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique
product, service or result. A project must not be repetitive work.
• Major characteristics of a project:
– Established objectives.
– Defined life span.
– Working in cross functional teams.
– Introducing something new.
– Specific time, cost & performance requirements.
• Program vs. Project: A program is a group of related projects
designed to accomplish a common goal over an extended period of
time.
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Project Life Cycle
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The Challenge of PM
• Project Managers:
– Plan, schedule, motivate, track and control.
– Manage temporary non-repetitive activities to complete a project.
– Manage project teams, customers, performance, trade-offs & risks.
• Factors leading to increased use of PM:
– Compression of the product life cycle.
– Knowledge explosion.
– Triple bottom line (planet, people, profit).
– Corporate downsizing.
– Increased customer focus.
– Small projects that represent big problems.
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PM Integrative Approach
• An overview of all project management activities.
• Resources assignment.
• Risk assessment.
• Performance improvement.
• Communication with upper management.
• Portfolio management through a project office (PO).
• Project’s technical dimension represents the “science” of project
management while the sociocultural dimension represents the “art” of
managing a project.
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