Comparison and contrast of project definitions free essay sample

Robert K. Haycocks gives two definitions of a project In his book Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. The first one Is defined as common, and will be referred as such In this essay. Common definition of a project: A project Is a sequence of unique, complex, and connected activities that have one goal or purpose and that must be completed by a specific time, within budget, and according to specification. Second definition is given by Haycocks as a Business- focused one, and will be referred as such hereinafter.Business-focused definition of a project: A project is a sequence of finite dependent activities whose successful completion results in the delivery of the expected business value that validated doing the project. Though both definitions may seem similar in nature, there are also marked differences. First of all, both definitions outline a sequence of activities that must be completed. When common definition describes them as unique, complex and connected, business-focused approach Is about finite and dependent actively, uniqueness and complexity of which are Implied. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison and contrast of project definitions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sage of dependent Instead of connected Is Justified, since activities may be connected artificially without any technical relationship between them. On the contrary, dependent activities are indeed technically related: the output of activity A would be input for activity B, and so on. Finite in business-focused definition basically implies that all activities end when project is over, therefore there is a similarity with completed by a specific time part of a common definition. Secondly, both definitions outline some project constraints, though in different ways. Successful completion involves completion by a specific time, within budget from common definition, so theres the second similar trait. However, here Lies the most important difference. When common definition describes activities completion as goal/purpose achievement, business-focused one speaks about expected business value that a sequence of activities must deliver. Broadly speaking, business-focused deflation supposes that specification, time Limits ND budget of a project all can be subject to change due to business world dynamics, high levels of uncertainty, or some other causes.Therefore a sequence of activities can only be defined as a project if it delivers expected business value to the customer. Its an important issue that is omitted by common project definition. Comparison and contrast of project definitions By Olga-Lavational Robert K. Haycocks gives two definitions of a project in his book Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. The first one is defined as common, and ill be referred as such in this essay.Common definition of a project: A project is a sequence of unique, complex, and connected activities that have one connected, business-focused approach is about finite and dependent activities, uniqueness and complexity of which are implied. Usage of dependent instead of connected is Justified, since activities may be connected artificially without any trait. However, here lies the most important difference.