Foundational Concepts & Terminology
Project: a temporary group of related tasks undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result
Program: a group of related projects and operations coordinated together in a larger effort than a project
Portfolio: an organization’s entire investment in projects and programs
Project Management: using skills, knowledge, and resources to satisfy project requirements
Process: a packages of inputs, tools, and outputs used to produce specific output(s)
Project Management Processes: predefined and practiced packages of inputs, tools, and outputs used to produce specific output(s) for a project
Project Life Cycle: a group of project phases specified by a project management methodology
Methodology: an organization’s specific implementation of project processes; a set of steps to manage a project
Gate: a quality-control checkpoint with in a predefined methodology
Phases: groups of project stages separated by exit gates to evaluate phase deliverables
Stage: an affinity subset of activities and deliverables that occur in a specific sequence with in a specific phase
Triple Constraint: the concept that scope, time, and cost are interrelated; one cannot change without affecting at least one of the others; also known as the “Iron Triangle”
Baseline: the original plan plus all approved changes (scope, schedule, cost)
System: a set of formal management procedures, rules, processes, people, etc. that support an outcome
Historical Information: information from previous projects used to evaluate future project decisions
Lessons Learned: documented variances (historical information) used to avoid variances in future projects
Progressive Elaboration: an iterative approach where planning occurs in cycles rather than only up front
Project Management Skills: leading, communicating, negotiating, problem-solving, influencing, delegating, and being proactive
Stakeholder: a person or group having an interest, whether positive or negative, in the result of the project
Project Management Office (PMO): a supporting or controlling department regarding methodologies, tools, standards, best practices, and audits