Total in Project Management – Definition and Meaning
In the context of project management, the term “total” typically refers to the aggregated sum or total value of a specific project element across all of its components or over the entire project duration. Examples include total costs, effort, or duration. It is used to provide a comprehensive overview of the entire project or a major part of it. Those values are often displayed in reports, dashboards, and final project evaluations by aggregating individual figures.
Example, best practice, and additional information
In a construction project, for example, the “total effort” could represent the sum of all working hours spent across all phases and tasks of the project. A best practice is to regularly review those values and compare them to the original plan values (baseline) to assess overall project status and performance. This aligns with performance measurement in the PMBOK Guide and agile progress tracking (e.g., budget vs. costs). Considering total values helps to understand overall progress, resource usage, and adherence to project objectives.