Concepts of Project Planning
Realization of a set objectives requires
systematic planning and careful
implementation
Application of knowledge, skill, tools and
techniques in the project environment,
refers to project management.
Project in general refers to a new endeavor
with specific objective and varies so widely
that it is very difficult to precisely define it.
Turner: “ An endeavor in which human, material
and financial resources are organized in a novel
way to undertake a unique scope of work, have
given specification, within constraints of cost
and time, so as to achieve beneficial change
defined by quantitative and qualitative
objectives” Turner (2003)
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to
create a unique product, service, or result.”
Project Management Institute (PMI) - A Guide To
The Project Management Body Of Knowledge
(PMBOK Guide) Fourth Edition 3
“A project is a temporary organization that is
created for the purpose of delivering one or
more business products according to an agreed
Business Case.” Office of Government Commerce
(OGC) - Managing Successful Projects with
PRINCE Fifth Edition 4.
“A project is a temporary endeavour undertaken
to create a unique product, service or result in
order to achieve an outcome." Australian
Institute of Project Management (AIPM): AIPM
Professional Competency Standards for Project
Management 2008 Edition 10
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to
produce a unique product or service
Characteristics of
Temporary Unique
Projects
Temporary – Definitive beginning and end
Unique – New undertaking, unfamiliar ground
Beneficiaries Requirements Completed within allocated
satisfied/exceeded time frame
Completed within allocated Accepted by the
budget Beneficiaries
Poor Requirements
Scope Creep
Gathering
Unrealistic planning and Lack of resources
scheduling
A project:
Has a unique purpose.
Is temporary.
Is developed using progressive elaboration.
Requires resources, often from various areas.
Involves uncertainty
1. Temporary means that any project will have a
start dates and an end date.
2. Projects differ from operations, because
operations are continuous and repeating (projects
are temporary), and operations deliver the same
or almost the same results.
3. A temporary piece of work with a finite end
date undertaken to create a unique product or
service. Projects bring form or function to ideas or
need.
4. Planning, execution and controlling of project is
the primary field of project management.
Developing a watershed
Creating irrigation facility
Developing new variety of a crop
Developing new breed of an animal
Developing agro processing centre
Construction of farm building
Note
each of these projects differ in composition,
type, scope, size and time
Resettlement Project
Urban Renewal Project
Children Recreational Park
Community Multipurpose Centre
Community Sanitation and Solid waste Management
Recreational Park
Health Centre
School Project
Storm Water Master Plan
It involves resource commitment. It could be
money, land, labour, and other materials
Project is beneficial. There are benefits in
undertaking such projects to the society.
It involves some risk or some cost (Opportunity
cost)
Projects are structured
Project may be tangible or intangible. It is tangible
when it involves a physical construction and the
benefits can be measured. It is intangible when it
does not require a physical construction.
The planning, organising, directing and
controlling of....
....activities, people and money....
....to achieve a specific objective
Three major dimensions that define the
project performance are scope, time, and
resource or cost
These parameters are interrelated and
interactive
Cost Time
Scope
In management literature, this equilateral
triangle is also referred as the “Quality
triangle” of the project
Performance = f(Scope, Cost, Time)
Any change in any one of dimensions would
affect the other
(interrelated/interconnected)
if the scope is enlarged, project would
require more time for completion and the
cost would also go up
If time is reduced the scope and cost would
also be required to be reduced
Similarly any change in cost would be
reflected in scope and time.
Project is seen as a product of planning. The
project and the plan can be seen as two
sides of the same coin.
A plan is a set of interrelated projects. The
project gives life to the plans.
Project implementation is an act of the
realization of the plan.
The plan should provide the following Projects:
❑ Residential areas which can be divided into high,
low and medium densities
❑ Community facilities: Water, electricity, telephone,
etc.
❑ Community services: Schools at all levels, health
centres, security, fire service, shopping centres.
❑ Circulation: roads, walkways
❑ Recreation and open space: children play ground
and open space.
World Bank Identified four stages of project:
❑ Project Identification
❑ Preparation and appraisal
❑ Negotiation
❑ Supervision
These stages are very critical to the world
bank as a lending institution
Three stages are very critical to any kind of
project, they include:
❑ Project Ideas
❑ Project appraisal
❑ Project operation
These three are referred to as bench mark or
standard for project cycle.
Itis still possible to break it down into
details which includes:
❑ Project Ideas
❑ Identification/Brief
❑ Preparation
❑ Appraisal
❑ Implementation
❑ Operation
❑ Evaluation
Conceptualization Phase: Conception phase,
starting with the seed of an idea, it covers
identification of the product / service, Pre-feasibility,
Feasibility studies and Appraisal and Approval
Planning Phase: In this phase the project structure
is planned based on project appraisal and approvals.
Detailed plans for activity, finance, and resources are
developed and integrated to the quality parameters.
• Identification of activities and their sequencing
• Time frame for execution
• Estimation and budgeting
• Staffing
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) specifying various aspects of the project
is finalized to facilitate execution in this phase
Execution Phase: This phase of the project
witnesses the concentrated activity where the plans
are put into operation. Each activity is monitored,
controlled and coordinated to achieve project
objectives.
Important activities in this phase are:
• Communicating with stakeholders
• Reviewing progress
• Monitoring cost and time
• Controlling quality • Managing changes
Termination Phase: This phase marks the
completion of the project wherein the agreed
deliverables are installed and project is put in to
operation with arrangements for follow-up and
evaluation
Project life path –
“S” shape
Project life path –
“J” shape
In “S” shape path the progress is slow at the
starting and terminal phase and is fast in the
implementation phase.
In “J” type cycle path the progress in
beginning is slow and as the time moves on
the progress of the project improves at fast
rate.
You will have goal clarity and measurement
Your resources will be coordinated
Your risks will be identified and managed
You will increase the possibilities of time
savings
You will increase the possibilities of cost
savings
You will increase the possibilities of
achieving the agreed outcome
You will increase the possibilities to deliver
projects successfully
