The Orgins of Project Management

Project Management is an Art and Science of applying knowledge, Skills, Tools and Techniques
to plan activities in order to achieve objectives or goals of a Project. We have solid evidences on
Project Management on Construction field, only from Early 1900s. To know about earlier period
(Ancient) Project Management, there are few Archaeological evidences to support
it.
The origin of the modern project management concept started between 1900s
and 1950s. During this time, technology advancement shortened the project
schedule. Automobiles allowed effective resource allocation and mobility.
Telecommunication system increased the speed of communication. The job
specification was widely used and Henry Gantt invented Gantt chart.
The earliest structure existed now The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt which is nearly 5000
years old (2560 BC) is an excellent example of Construction Project. Pramid of Giza is the only
survivor of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. There are other ancient artifacts, but
without a specific date of construction identified.
Based Hypothetical research, experts developed concepts based circumstances at different
period, development of the area and their application to project activities. The Great Pyramid
of Giza was constructed over a period of perhaps 20 years installing of 800 tonnes of stone each
day as the necropolis for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu. It remained the tallest structure of 43
centuries till the completion of the Eifel Tower. Each side is oriented to the cardinal points of
the compass i.e., north, south, east, and west.
As per National Geographic, it was assumed that the building of The Great Pyramid required a
community of such skills as planning, cooking, baking, healthcare, and stone cutting to
accomplish this project. It had enormous technical challenges, from the creation of perfectly
level base, to building burial chambers, to completing last third and mounting cap stone. There
are inscription and Pictures inside Pyramids often depicting slaves being whipped to perform
the tasks of stone cutting and stone placement. All this could not have been the typical
management method for the project.
Project management has continued to grow over the more than 5000 years through the
demands of society for a change to resources to create a more valuable product or service for
human consumption. Techniques improved and tools were invented to make the tasks easier.
Whereas construction may have been the seed for developing project management, many
organizations across all industries use project management to some extent.
the ancient Egyptians, a businesss project management may include only fundamental
concepts and practices with the expectation of continued growth as the need is recognized.
The Greek Parthenon Project (447-438 BCE) public works project was an example for socail
economical objective to remove unemployment, and stimulate the economy. It was remarkable
project completed in 9 years, when considering quality of finished deliverable. It set notion
that it was possible to deliver esthetically pleasing buildings within the scope of a project. It was
widely copied.
The Chartres Cathedral Project (1145-1220) was built in a race to complete tallest cathedral
were the world record was broken 5 times within 62 years. Built beyond financial means of
town, the challenge to sustain project over several generations.
Many believe that Historical projects had unlimited budget or never needed a huge investment
due to support and with no economical return from it. But even those ancient project needed
investment to start and some sort of Return on investment like political establishment, Public
work and uniting large number of people for single purpose.
The Roman Colosseum Project (69-79CE) is completed in 10 years project shored up emperors
shaky regime and delivered by 4 contractors. It was built in swamp, used new technologies and
materials, like concrete to create extensive arches, barrel vaults, and domes. After starting this
project immigration increased to see entertainment. so that it increased economical activity in
Rome. It might have give employment to 20,000 to 30,000 people in the country.
There are theories the Great Pyramid at Giza project introduce merciless slave systems to the
world. But the slave system was the only option to get workforce for a project. Major
Challenging part of a project is Human Resource Management, to get best out of the people.
Evidences say that farmers were the workforce used for Giza Project.
Because slaves were only owned by families and individual for house hold works and they were
not suitable for work. In medieval period many used local workers rather than slaves. For
Colosseum project had 4 and they used the guilds for their workforce.

Timeline
Some historical projects extended for decades even centuries. For example some of the Gothic
Cathedral projects extended it time frames to many decades (close to a century). Project
sponsors reap social, political, and power benefits out of it. So until they are power in the
project get extended.
The Roman Colosseum Project was started when the emperor faced unstable situation in his
regime and it was close to ruin. So in order to held back the revolt, Nero initiated this project. It
was lasted for 10 Years.
Modern Project Management Concepts in Ancient times
Many argues that it is impossible to use modern concept like integration, scope, time, cost,
quality, human resources, communication, risk, and procurement. These concepts not
formalized or documented, and too advanced and complex for use. But Scope, Schedule and
resource related information were documented in Ancient and medieval Projects
Cost Management of Ancient Projects
Money took a major part in Historical project. Loans and Investment methods practiced in
those projects. Julius Caesars initiative for funding massive construction projects, he supplied
plentiful coins into economy to give wages and buying materials. Romans were earning through
exploiting cost of Building material
Scope Management
Master-builders on ALL historical projects had comprehensive and intuitive grasp of totality of
projects, entire building operation, all the major activities, and concept of a WBS (e.g., Giza)