ADMAS UNIVERSITY

PROJECT CONTEXT MANAGEMENT

Dr. Fekadu Y. (PhD)

Jan. 2023
By: Fekadu Y. (PhD)
Hargeisa, SL
1
Course Outline
course outline Project Context Management.pdf

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 Chapter One
INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT

Meaning and definition of project

Characteristics of a project
Project , Plan, Program
The Project Context
Why project Fail
Project Success Criteria
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 What is a Project?
• A Project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create
a unique product, service, or result.

• Temporary = a definite beginning and end.

• Repetitive elements may be present but has
fundamental uniqueness
• Is progressively elaborated: Distinguishing
characteristics of each unique project will be
progressively detailed as the project is better
understood.

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 …cont’d

• Any project is essentially a collection of interrelated

activities:
– people,
–tools,
–resources,
–processes, and
–other assets brought together in the pursuit of a common goal
•The goal may be interms of generating a
physical product, providing a service, or
achieving a specific result.
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 Cont…

A project must have:

• A definitive objective
• Takes time
• Consumes resources
• Definite starting and stopping dates
• Is broken up into tasks (activities, steps)
• Consists of processes
• Utilizes teams
• Based on personal integrity and trust

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 …cont’d
Therefore, project is a series of activities
and tasks that have
•Scope
•Time
•Have funding limits;
•Consume resources (i.e., money, people, &
equipment)

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 ….cont’d

•ISO defines project as a “unique process,

consisting of a set of coordinated and
controlled activities with start and finish
dates, undertaken to achieve an objective
conforming to specific requirements
including constraints of time, cost and
resource”.

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Examples of projects (General)
• Developing a new product or service.
• Effecting a change in structure, staffing, or style of an
organization.
• Developing a new or modified information system.
• Implementing a new business procedure or process.
• Construction .…..etc.

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By: Fekadu Y. (PhD) 10
 …. cont’d
7 Change Project sees many changes throughout its life

8 Successive What is going to happen during the life cycle of

Principles the project is not fully known at any stage

9 Made to Order A project is always made to the order of its

customers
10 Unity in Varieties in culture, ethics, equipment,
Diversity technology, give strength to the completion of
the project
11 Limited Requires set of resources
Resources
12 Risk & Every project has risk and uncertainty
uncertainty associated with it.
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 Project , Plan, Program
• A plan details a course of action or An intended future
course of action
• A project is short-term and designed to deliver a
specified output within time, cost and quality
parameters;

• A program is a long-term managed portfolio of

multiple projects designed to produce outcomes.
• Portfolio
• Is a collection of projects or programs grouped
within an organization.
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The Project Context
 Project context is the environment in which a
project operates.
 The environment may be Internal or External
environment)

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 Internal Environment
The internal environment is the organization's own
environment and includes factors such as:

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 External Environment
• The external environment includes the
influences/factors outside the organization such as:

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 1. Political Environment
Political environment component covers the
relationship of the project with external political
stakeholders.
For example the change of government may have
significant impact on the execution of publicly funded
capital projects, such as Building Schools for the
Future, or New taxation policy or pricing strategies.

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 2. The Economic Environment
 This component is concerned with balancing longer term
benefits of a project with the cost of its implementation.
1. Inflation rates
2. Interest rates
3. Trends in the growth of the gross national product
(GNP, GDP)
4. Unemployment rates
5. Globalization of the economy
6. Outsourcing

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 3. Social Environment
 This component is concerned with interaction of the project with
its users and understanding the needs of the society.
 For example building a power station requires a good
understanding of the sociological trends surrounding the project
and the impact on the society.
 The social environment includes:
 Cultural conditioning
 Ecological conditioning
 Demographic makeup
 Religion
 Education

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 4. Technological Environment
• This aspect refers to a greater understanding of the technological
specifications surrounding a project.

• For example, computer related technology advances at a high

speed; therefore implementing a new software system requires
careful consideration of the availability of such systems, as well as
the anticipated time by which it becomes out of date.

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 5. Legal Environment
• This component can refer to health and safety issues or
data protection issues, which are legally bound.

• For example, the nuclear industry has a very high degree

of regulatory framework in which it operates.

• Also, Health and safety of employees under the Health

and Safety Act needs to be carefully managed.

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 6. Environmental
• This aspect is concerned with the impact of project on the
surrounding environment.
• The disposal of waste from a construction site is heavily
regulated.
• For example, working on a site with contaminated land which
requires high degree of preparation before actual construction
begins can have significant impact on project schedule.

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 Project Environment

Internal
Environment

Knowledge Political Economic

OUTPUTS
INPUTS

Project Project Goal

Culture,
Technological Social methods,
standards,
nature of business,
policies …
External
Environment
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Why projects Fail ?

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 Why project Fails ?
 Poor project management / Lack of senior
management commitment
 Inadequate project planning (Lack of defined, clear,
or concise requirements)
(budget, schedule, scope, etc.)
 Poor monitoring and evaluation
 No risk management
 Inability to manage change
 Scope Creep
 Poor Communications

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 ….cont’d
Wrong team members
Absence of user involvement
New or unfamiliar technology
Weak business case ( Project with no need)
Unsupported Project Culture

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 Project Success Criteria
 Sound project management processes
 Project tied to the organization’s business goals /
Meeting the goals that have been agreed upon
 Senior management commitment
 Good change management
 Detailed requirements

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 success….Cont’d
 Realistic schedule
 Good stakeholder relationships
 Empowered project manager
 Skilled and appropriate team members with
defined roles and responsibilities
 Availability of funding or budget

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