Chapter-04 Project ManagementChapter four is the first of three chapters describing the theoretical framework of the master's thesis. This chapter covers project management theory and the general project management model and its components.4.1. Project Definition and Project ManagementA project is a task carried out by a temporary organization to achieve a predetermined result. Projects are not limited in size or number of people involved but are always time-based and have a clear beginning and end [59]. Projects can be used for different types of missions, but most often they are used to achieve business visions or goals [60]. It is important to have a clear distinction between project activities and line organization activities to ensure that there is no confusion over who does what [61]. Working in projects requires project management but it is often ignored [62]. However, organizations that use project management benefit from better customer relationships, shorter development times, greater reliability, and clearer goal orientation [63]. For project management to work well, it is important to have a support function, generally called Project Management Office (PMO). The PMO is responsible for the development and administration of the project methodology. It should have a resource and skills center where educational and administrative support is offered. The PMO is also responsible for disseminating the results and experiences of completed projects to the rest of the organization [64].4.2. Project MethodologyA project methodology consists of processes, roles and models and is usually formed as a project management model. The purpose of a project methodology is to provide a start...... middle of paper ...... tasks with long lead times can be allowed to start even if not all deliverables have not been delivered, while some tasks must wait for authorization and might end up never being authorized [83].StakeholdersA stakeholder is a person who is affected by the outcome of the project and therefore has some interest in the outcome . In small projects it is usually easy to identify all the stakeholders, but in large projects they become more difficult to identify because larger projects affect more stakeholders. Regardless of the number of stakeholders or who they are, it is important that all stakeholders receive correct information regarding the project [84]. Sponsor The sponsor is the person who commissions the project and is also responsible for allocating resources to the project. The sponsor and recipient of the project do not have to be the same person [85].