What Are the Elements of a Project?
Most successful projects start with a good, solid plan. While it may not be difficult to grasp the concept that planning is essential to the success of your project, getting a handle on the characteristics – the elements of a project – can sometimes prove challenging. Time frame, tasks and the outcome you are working toward all combine to determine which – or all – of the five to 10 elements of a project apply to your plan.
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Identification
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Before you can identify and apply essential project elements, you need to understand the concept of a project. In its true sense, a project is unique. It involves new tasks, new procedures and works to achieve a new outcome. Because any new undertaking involves a certain level of risk, this definition underscores the need for accurately defining and then incorporating the right elements into your project. In the real world, however, few projects are completely new. Most often, you will use “tried and true” procedures that require little to no planning when you can and apply the elements of a project to those you cannot.
Considerations
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Each element in a project removes a portion of uncertainty regarding its outcome. Because what is “correct” is an individual decision, analyze your project to determine the number of elements it should include. In general, the larger the project, the more important the outcome and/or the more questions you have regarding its outcome, the more elements you should include.
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The Facts
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While five is a common minimum and 10 is a common maximum, any number in between is also appropriate. Fewer elements mean each becomes larger and includes more detail while including more allows each element to focus more specifically on a single topic. A list of five can include broad elements such as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, then closing the project. In contrast, a list of 10 can narrow the focus to include definitions, lists and evaluations as separate elements rather part of the whole.
Process
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Start by looking at a basic list of five project elements. Initiation can be one element or you can divide it into separate elements that define the scope of the project and include a statement of its intended purpose. Planning is often too large to consider a single element. Dividing planning into separate, smaller elements can help you better analyze and prepare for executing a plan. Evaluate constraints, look at internal and external dependencies, assess available resources, conduct a risk assessment, decide on a list of quality criteria and get your team in place as individual project elements. Execution can include scheduling and setting project milestones within this element or on its own. Monitoring and control often occurs as part of other elements rather than as a separate, distinct element. Finally, tie up any “loose ends” and close the project as a final element.
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References
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