ABSTRACT
Projects are not created in a protective cocoon but in the wider context of their setting, which is referred to as their environment. “Environment” is the term used to describe a project’s complete context, not just its natural environment. Projects implemented by private organisations are undertaken to achieve mid-to long-range goals to improve bottom-line performance. Projects undertaken in the public sector are typically undertaken to achieve socio-economic benefits. Whether a project achieves those goals will in part, as the title of this rule suggests, be dependent on its context. While it is uncommon for the aspects of a project’s environment to change during the preparation of the business case, it is highly probable these aspects will be exposed to changes in their environment during execution, given that the execution of a project can span one or more years. Threats and opportunities emanating from the environment may reduce or enhance a project’s business case or threaten or support its objectives.
