How is project management best defined?

Project management is best defined as the process of planning, executing, and closing projects. This definition encompasses the various stages of a project lifecycle, which include initiating a project, organizing resources, defining goals, and ensuring that objectives are achieved within the constraints of time, budget, and quality.

Effective project management involves not only coordination and allocation of resources but also risk management, stakeholder engagement, and communication. It requires a structured approach to meet the specific goals of a project efficiently and effectively, ensuring that all aspects, from inception to completion, are addressed.

Other definitions provided do not capture the comprehensive nature of project management. For instance, ongoing administration of day-to-day operations refers more to general management rather than the temporary and unique characteristics of projects. The creation of business proposals and the management of employee schedules are important tasks within businesses but do not specifically relate to the broader and more strategic processes involved in project management. Thus, the focus on planning, execution, and closure is what sets project management apart as a distinct discipline.