Task - an individual item of work that has a beginning and an end.

Duration - the amount of time it takes to do a task.

Resources - the people or things [machinery, equipment, conference room] that actually perform the work of each task within allotted time and cost.

Phases or Categories - groups of related tasks; a series of events for one phase that must be completed before the next phase [group of related tasks] can begin. Each phase is a complete cycle, at a minimum--

• Project planning phase

• Project execution phase

• Project closure phase

- although there can be many more phases.

Each phase has a review process at its end and it produces a deliverable or product. [We'll see below that the completion of the overall project also results in a product.]

Milestone - an important event; can be marked as the beginning or end [sometimes both] of an event or series of events; usually a major stage of completion, often associated with a deliverable.

So, then, what is a project?
 

Project - work that is not normally done [what we normally do is operations,  not a project]. A project will have to meet four criteria-
 
 

1. Temporary - it has a beginning and an end; so its project team will only exist for the purpose of that project
2. Unique - the outcome is one of a kind. However, projects might well be similar, so planning will consider what others have accomplished that is similar, and the way those other projects might have elements that are the same or different. And a SWOT Analysis will consider whether these similarities and differences are Strengths or Weaknesses.
3. A Creation - because you are creating something that did not previously exist, you are probably going to go through phases of development, and there will be many people and even other organizations who have a stake in the outcome. Communicating the project's status and progress through the phases will be important.
4. A Product [or Service] - is the goal of the project. You measure the project's value by how it met the goal of producing the product or service.

Now, with the basics out of the way, let's begin to look at best practice project management.
 

The obvious types of projects come to mind - huge civil engineering projects like bridges and power dams; construction of residential and commercial properties; implementing or upgrading computer systems.

But best practice project management techniques can and should be applied to any activity that meets project definition:
 

• the annual marketing plan;
• all of the corporate budgets;
• developing or upgrading human resources manuals and policies;
• designing and installing a new CRM (customer relations management) system;
• starting online business;
• overhauling your bid-response system;
• preparing for the annual audit;
• virtually every consulting engagement whether you are hiring the consultant or are the consultant...

... you get the picture!

Look again at the definition of project above, and if your activity meets the criteria, use the best practice project management.

Check out the 

• articles for more hints and tips about best practice project management; 
• software to  help with project planning, scheduling, controlling, issue management; and 
• services to help you set up and manage your projects.