What best describes a project?

A project is best described as a temporary endeavor with specific goals. This definition highlights the key characteristics that differentiate a project from routine operations or ongoing tasks. Projects are undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result, and they have defined start and end dates, specific objectives, and usually a scope that outlines the project's deliverables and milestones.

In contrast, ongoing operational tasks represent routine work that does not have a defined end and typically contribute to the organization's continuous operations. Everyday routine activities are repetitive and do not produce unique outcomes; rather, they enable the smooth functioning of an organization over time. A single step completed by one person does not encompass the broader scope of what a project entails; instead, it reflects an isolated task that may be part of a larger project but does not in itself represent the characteristics of a project. Thus, the definition of a project as a temporary endeavor with specific goals encapsulates its essence and distinguishes it from other forms of work.