CHAPTER 1
What Is a Project?
Things are not always what they seem.
—Phaedrus, Roman writer and fabulist
CHAPTER LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, you will be able to:
- Define a project, program, and portfolio
- Understand the scope triangle
- Envision the scope triangle as a system in balance
- Prioritize the scope triangle for improved change management
- Apply the scope triangle
- Manage the creeps
- Know the importance of classifying projects
To put projects into perspective, you need a definition — a common starting point. All too often, people call any work they have to do a “project.” Projects actually have a very specific definition. If a set of tasks or work to be done does not meet the strict definition, then it cannot be called a project. To use the project management techniques presented in this book, you must first have a project.
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