The overall process of the project description process can be summed up by:
Phase 0: Concept - Project Definition; Project Team Setup
Phase 1: Initiation - Project Definition and Requirements; Planning, Scope and Tradeoffs; Scheduling, Costs and Estimating; Team and Communication
Phase 2: Execution - Ongoing Planning; Specifications; Tracking and Control; Reviews; Testing
Phase 3: Approval - Test Planning and Test Execution; Completion Criteria & Checklists
Phase 4: Delivery - Project Completion; Close-out Activities
Project
A project is 'a means of doing something' or 'a scheme of work'.
A project aims to reach a specific goal, from a defined starting point, within a given time frame, with specified inputs (e.g. money, manpower). It is a means by which the ideas and objectives of policy are converted into practical reality.
A project can stand alone or be related to a number of other projects or activities in a group of tasks/sub-tasks. A project usually is made up of a number of tasks which are integrated with each other and do not stand alone.
In turn, a task may comprise a number of separate activities.
Types of Project
A project may involve 'hard' activities - construction, building works or large-scale equipment procurement often referred to as a capital project. Capital projects usually involve a substantial investment at the project start and may have a life-span of many years (e.g. 20 years or more).
Or it may involve 'soft' activities - management, institutional development, training, etc. These projects often may involve continuing expenditure over a period of years, but do not give rise to a capital asset. Or may involve a combination of both types. All hard pro ...