往链科技www.WL566.com往链点点通共享资源，了解更多请登录www.WL566.comMODULE TITLE: PROJECT APPRAISAL, PLANNING & CONTROL.LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT.INTRODUCTION.Project management has been practised for many thousands of years. Pyramids and cathedrals provide lasting evidence of the projects that have been undertaken since very early times. Space probes and Millennium Domes are examples of more recent projects. These projects were huge undertakings and their completion took many years and involved thousands of people. Many projects are of course much smaller in scale. Completing a course assignment or building a model aeroplane are examples of projects that can be completed in a much shorter time, perhaps involving only one person.In the course of time, most of us get involved in a whole range of projects. Some of these might be at our place of work where our involvement can be on a full or part-time basis. Equally many projects will originate in our private lives and take up only part of our time and resources. So a working knowledge of project management and the associated tools and techniques is likely to help us to become more effective in both our social and professional lives.YOUR AIMS.The aim of the module as a whole is to help you to develop your ability to understand and apply the principles of project management. In this introductory lesson you will be given an overview of project management as a whole. On completion of this lesson you should be able to: Understand and list the distinguishing characteristics of projects. Define the term Project Management. Understand and state the important factors of a projects context. Recognise the relevance of the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Understand and apply the concept of the project management life cycle. STUDY ADVICE.The lessons in this module should be studied in conjunction with the set book, Project Management: Planning and Control Techniques, Burke 1999. The lesson materials are therefore intended to identify, introduce and clarify the issues and exercises to be found in the set book. You should try to study the material and complete the exercises in the order suggested in the lesson guide.Now is in fact a good time for the first short formal reference to the set book. You should turn to the Authors note and read the section headed, Project Management and Computers. Although Burke acknowledges the importance of computers, he also emphasises the need for a clear understanding of the basic principles of project management in order to be able to successfully apply the software. Therefore, although the use of software will be considered, it is the need for an understanding of principles that is emphasised throughout the module. You will not be required to have access to, or familiarity with any software packages.THE NATURE OF PROJECTS.It has already been suggested that most people become involved in quite a wide variety of projects. This is almost certainly true of you. You might for example be responsible for the management of a project at Home or at work. Alternatively you might be responsible for assisting in the completion of a project. Use the space below to provide short descriptions of five projects on which you are, or have recently been involved.12345The following are examples of projects that might have been included in your list.- Organising a function.- Laying out a garden.- Setting up a web site.- Launching a new product.- Fund raising campaign.Now examine your list and indicate the extent to which any of the following statements are true or false.o The projects have a defined start and finish. True/False. o They are unique, one-off, non-repetitive activities. True/False. o They each have a specific aim. True/False. o They each result in something being delivered. True/False. o They involve cost, resources and time. True/False. o They each o use a wide variety of resources and skills. True/False. o They have their own Budget True/False. o They vary in the degree of complexity involved. True/False. The statements above are said to be the distinguishing characteristics of projects and it is likely that your examples exhibit at least some, if not all of them. The regular presence of these characteristics in a very wide range of projects has led to the formulation of definitions such as the one below, which is proposed by the British Standards Institution.A project is a unique set of co-ordinated activities, with definite starting and finishing points, undertaken by an individual or organization to meet specific objectives within defined schedule, cost and performance parameters.You will find other similar definitions in the set book.These distinguishing characteristics and defi