What is a project?

According to the PMBoK, a project is “an endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.” That means nothing. It’s empty jargon — big words that sound impressive, nobody understands anything, and everybody pretends they do.

So we go back to etymology. Project comes from the Latin projicere: pro (forward) and jacere (to throw). A project is the act of throwing an idea forward — placing it in front of you so it guides your action. I project buying a house, having children, developing a digital solution. The idea guides my effort, my attention, my life.

This is also what distinguishes a project from a dream. “I’d like to go to the Moon” — that’s a dream, it’s nice, you don’t do anything. “I project going to the Moon” — now you’re becoming a bit like Elon Musk. It’s the passage from ideation to incarnation.