What is (and what is NOT) A Project

A Project From the perspective of project management, any series of activities that go through the project cycle ARE projects. The project cycle consists of project phases. An organisation should already have a well-defined organisational strategy from which it can begin to assess relevant needs and opportunities in its field. Several ideas will then come to light, from which an organisation may choose. The project phases then follow logically through design, financing, implementation and evaluation stages. NGOs often perform activities that do not fall into the category of projects. It is also important to recognise that a project is not: • past activities that are repeated in exactly the same way on a periodic basis • activities with no clearly defined goals • activities which can be repeated or transplanted anywhere at any moment; or • ongoing (regular) organisational activities (e.g. board meetings) What is the Project Design ? The project design is one phase of the project cycle. It consists of two elements: • project planning (formulation of project elements); and • project proposal writing (converting the plan into a project document). Project design is a result of both project planning and the project proposal. Both steps are essential to forming a solid project design. Project Planning — Formulation of Project Elements Before the project is written, its individual elements need to be developed. Addressing the planning considerations helps develop the project elements, Another way to break down planning questions is to take into consideration the project design stage at which these questions are asked. On the basis of these criteria the project planning questions could be classified as to whether they are made during project planning or proposal writing. Regardless of the project planning model presented , quality proposal writing is not possible without proper planning. Planning Considerations What is the Project Design? The project design is one phase of the project cycle. It consists of two elements: • project planning (formulation of project elements); and • project proposal writing (converting the plan into a project document). Project design is a result of both project planning and the project proposal. Both steps are essential to forming a solid project design. Project Planning — Formulation of Project Elements Before the project is written, its individual elements need to be developed. Addressing the planning considerations helps develop the project elements, as. Another way to break down planning questions is to take into consideration the project design stage at which these questions are asked. On the basis of these criteria the project planning questions could be classified as to whether they are made during project planning or proposal writing. Regardless of the project planning model presented, quality proposal writing is not possible without proper planning.