What Is a Project? Definition, Characteristics and Complexity

What Is a Project?

A project is a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. The temporary nature of a project means that the project work, or a specific phase of the work, has a defined beginning and end. Projects can operate independently or form part of a programme or portfolio.

Project Complexity

A project is a system made up of elements that interact with one another. Complexity is a characteristic of a project or its environment that can make the project difficult to manage.

Complexity can arise from the interactions between project elements, people, systems and the wider project environment. Risks, dependencies, events and relationships can interact in ways that are difficult to predict or isolate.

What Influences Project Complexity?

Project complexity can increase with the number and diversity of stakeholders involved. For example, regulatory agencies, international financial institutions, multiple suppliers, specialist subcontractors and local communities can each influence a project's complexity.

Project teams may not always be able to foresee how these interactions will develop. However, they can adapt their activities to address the effects of complexity as they emerge.

Projects in Cosmetic Product Development

In cosmetic product development, a project may involve multiple interconnected activities such as formulation, packaging, testing, regulatory compliance, production and marketing. Coordinating these activities and the different stakeholders involved is an important part of successful project management.

References

The Standard for Project Management and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Seventh Edition.

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