There is no standard definition for project management. This means that project management stands for different things to different people and organisations. Swift Project Management Services Ltd suggests that project management is about a temporary arrangement enabling the delivery of an outcome by using planned resources and experience of various skills, techniques and tools that will maximize performance to meet agreed time, costs and quality.

For example, Say, someone decides to sail solo around the world. This will not happen by accident. The right yacht will need to be purchased, or designed, developed and tested prior to the commencement of the journey. A team of specialists and high-tech equipment to maximise survival and project completion takes time and money. Funding may need raising, sponsors may need to be found. Risks and issues must be analysed to enhance project success for weather conditions, currents and losing the mast are but a few of the challenges requiring mitigation. Benefits should be examined and documented, including those of sponsors and stakeholders. Tasks, dependencies, equipment, timings, sailing crossings and training require detailed planning, scheduling and communicating along with regular progress updates. Project change is a guarantee, impacting on benefits, timing and costs. Tolerance levels may need agreeing and setting between the various sponsors and stakeholders. Who is going to make this happen?