Idea in Project Management – Definition and Meaning
In the context of project management, an idea is an initial, often still unstructured concept, proposal, suggestion, or impulse for a potential new project or a significant change. Ideas are used to initiate the process of launching new initiatives and to capture innovation potential. They typically arise in the earliest phase of project development (idea generation phase) and form the basis for an initial assessment, a subsequent feasibility study, or the creation of a business case before a decision is made regarding actual project implementation.
Example, best practice, and further information on the term
In an innovation project, for example, an idea could be the development of an entirely new product based on initial market observations or technological trends. A proven best practice is to systematically collect ideas (e.g., in an idea management system), evaluate them (e.g., regarding strategic fit, potential benefit, feasibility), and prioritize them. This aligns with portfolio management approaches according to PMBOK and agile backlog grooming or product vision development. A structured approach to handling ideas helps focus limited resources on the most promising and strategically relevant initiatives.
