ABSTRACT

Project definition is a continuous process. It begins when a project is nothing more than a gleam in the eye of a project’s progenitor. When the original concept has been refined, definition can be more precise and lead to proposals for the project. If the project is eventually authorized, definition will continue throughout the project’s active life cycle, taking account of design and changes so that finally, when the project is handed over to its owner, the project can be defined by drawings and other documents that record the ‘as-built’ project condition. Accurate project definition in the early stages is often very difficult because of the number of unknown factors to be investigated.