Definition of project management by different authors: Project management is a multi-disciplinary approach to planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources and procedures to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria at a specified time. Over the years, various authors have written about project management, offering their own definitions and insights into what it entails.
Definition of project management by different authors
One of the earliest definitions of project management was provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which defines it as “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.” PMI further states that project management involves “five process groups: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure.”
Another author, Henri Fayol, who is often considered the father of modern management, defined project management as the “coordination and direction of all activities concerned with the production of a product or service.” Fayol also identified five key functions of management, which are closely related to project management: planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling.
Another well-known author, J.L. Meredith and Samuel J. Mantel, Jr., define project management as “the process of defining, planning, and tracking the unique goals, tasks, and resources required to complete a project successfully.” They further state that project management involves “three basic elements: time, cost, and performance.”
In his book “Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling,” Harold Kerzner defines project management as “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.” He also notes that project management involves “the application of project management methodologies and practices to various projects.”
A different author, James P. Lewis, defines project management as “the art and science of getting things done through people.” He argues that project management is not just about managing processes and resources, but also about managing people and their expectations.
Another author, Max Wideman, defines project management as “the application of a collection of tools and techniques to control and coordinate the efforts of a team of people in order to achieve specific project objectives.” He notes that project management requires the ability to balance the competing demands of scope, time, cost, quality, resources, and risk.
Project management is also often defined as a set of practices, techniques, and tools used to plan, execute, and control projects. For example, the authors of “Project Management: The Managerial Process” define project management as “the application of a set of principles, methods, and techniques for planning and controlling resources and procedures to achieve specific project objectives.”
In his book “Project Management for Dummies,” Stanley E. Portny defines project management as “the process of leading a team of people to achieve a common goal.” He notes that project management involves the application of a set of tools, techniques, and methodologies to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
Finally, author and consultant Michael Port defines project management as “the process of leading a team of people to achieve a specific goal, within a specific timeframe, and within budget.” He notes that project management requires the ability to balance the competing demands of scope, time, cost, quality, resources, and risk.
In conclusion, project management can be defined in many different ways, but the common thread among all definitions is the focus on planning, organizing, and controlling resources and procedures to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria at a specified time. Whether you are managing a simple project or a complex program, the principles and practices of project management are essential to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
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