" .
The meaning of project, manager and management stated above just a brief definition only and the following discussion will be concentrated on each of them.
2.2 WHAT IS A PROJECT.
There are variety definition, meaning or explanation about project in project management textbook. For example, Reiss (1995) gives a brief statement of project that is, "A project is a human activity that achieves a clear objective against a time scale." He added that projects nearly always have the following characteristics: one clear objective, a fixed time scale, a team of people, no practice or rehearsal, and change.
The definition of project by Reiss is insufficient to explain thorough what is a project. The Project Management Institute (PMI) defined the meaning of project in a more comprehensive manner, which is:.
" A project is a temporary endeavour or undertaken to achieve a particular aim. Every project has a definite beginning and a detailed end. While projects are similar to operations in that both are performed by people, both are generally constrained by limited resources, and both are planned, executed and controlled, projects differ from operations in that operations are ongoing and repetitive while projects are temporary and unique.".
If compare the two definitions above, it could be found out that a project actually is an activity involved people (human), has a specific objective or aim to achieve and within a range of time. People, objective and time are the common characteristics of a project. Most of the definitions of project are including these characteristics.
Wysocki (1995) explained the meaning of project in this manner: " A project is a sequence of unique, complex, and connected activities having one goal or purpose and that must be completed by a specific time, within budget, and according to specification.".
Wysocki's definition is emphasized that projects consist a series of activities and these activities are unique, complex and connected.
