PM Terms

Below are some definitions of  a few PM-specific terms used in posts on this blog.

Customer — “The person or group that is/are the recipient(s) of a product or service, the direct beneficiary(ies) of a project’s product or service. The people for whom the project is being undertaken. “**  (See also Sponsor.)

Deliverables – These include any tangible items that is produced to complete the project. Deliverables not only include finished products (like a completed building or a finished written report or a completed software program), but also include interim or draft products that the project team may need, but that users or customers may never see (such as building blueprints, outlines and drafts of written documents, and flowcharts or system design specifications of software programs).

SME (subject matter expert) – An expert in a particular field who contributes or verifies the accuracy of specific information needed by the project team.

Sponsor — “The executive who manages, administers, monitors, funds, and is responsible for the overall project delivery…The generic name given to the source of the project manager’s authority. The sponsor may be owner, financier, client etc., or their delegate…” ** (See also Customer.)

Stakeholder – Anyone who might be actively involved in the project or whose interests are affected by it. stakeholders can typically demand (or lobby for) changes or approve project specifications and work products.

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Learn More

** Definitions marked with ** came from Wideman’s Comparative Glossary…  It’s the website I use to find “official,” comparative definitions of PM terms. Thanks, Max Wideman!!

• Wideman Comparative Glossary of Common Project Management Terms

Also, my new eBook, The Project Management Minimalist, has a large collection of common PM definitions, as well as basic explanations throughout the book that can help you learn “just enough” PM.

• New eBook: The Project Management Minimalist