Introduction
As the organization grows, it requires to expand, acquire new machinery and even introduce new production lines. A project is, therefore, the process of organizing resources such as skills and finances to achieve a particular aim. Undertaking a particular project is closely related to project management that is the process that oversees that the intended project is achieved according to the schedule. According to Singer, (2001), a project is an endeavor to acquire new products, outcomes or services. Therefore, the definition of the project offered by the AMBA 640 has no difference from other definitions. Mostly, a project entails a team or individuals with specific skills required to introduce a new product, service or an outcome. It implies that the process of project management entails to collaborations of resources including the human resource to achieve an anticipated outcome. According to Martin & Tate (2001), the project has five phases. The first phase is known as the project conception or initiation in which ideas for projects are critically analyzed and examined with an aim of determining their viability and significance to the organization. The second phase is known as the project definition and planning that entails defining the project scope and putting it in writing to outline the requirements and the duration required. The third phase is the project launch or execution that entails the distribution of resources and responsibilities to groups and teams (Martin & Tate, 2001). The last stage is the project closure that takes place after the aims of the project have been achieved. In most cases, the project closure phase occurs when the client approves the outcome. The project also must satisfy the goals and objectives of the organization in both the short and long run.
Determining whether something is a project or not
Not every activity is a project because a project has distinct characteristics. As mentioned earlier, the aim of the project is to introduce a new product, service or outcome to benefit the organization in one way or the other. Therefore, the project must have five distinct characteristics. Firstly, the project must bring about change, for instance, the construction of a new product line or website to generate more sales. Secondly, a project must be a temporary venture that must have the initiation and the closure phases after the aim of the project has been achieved (Martin & Tate, 2001). Thirdly, the project must be cross-functional because it entails the collaboration of various individuals with different skills. Fourthly, the project must be unique since the introduced product or service must be different from the existing ones. Lastly, the project must be uncertain because those in charge of project management are not 100% sure that the aims of the project will be achieved (Singer, 2001). Therefore, any activity that does not entail the five mentioned characteristics is not considered as a project under whatever circumstance.
I was involved in a project the entailed the construction of a new web site in my company. The project started with the basic ideas from the members of the marketing department who suggested that a new sales website could help the company to market its products and services. After a careful consideration of the ideas, the management team accepted to have the website constructed. I took the responsibility of an accountant and other took various responsibilities such as information technology and the application of the computer software. After initiation, management put in place all the resources and the project was launched. The construction of the website was scheduled to take three months (Singer, 2001). We faced various challenges during the implementation period but at the end of the third month the website was ready. Before closing the project, the website was tested, and we received various positive feedbacks from our clients. We also realized the benefits received from the website because of the increased sales. Therefore, the project came to the closure phase after it achieved the aims of the company. As noted, the construction of the new website entailed all the characteristics of the project.
References
Martin, P. K., & Tate, K. (2001, May). Not everything is a project. PM Network, 15(5)
Singer, C. A. (2001, April). Leveraging a worldwide project team. PM Network, 15(4)Multimedia
