PROJECT DEFINITION/PROJECT APPRAISAL AND EVALUATION

INTRODUCTION

In the last Unit (Unit 1), we spent some time discussing the concept of the project cycle. We discussed the various stages of a project cycle. We did that so that we could lay the background for further study of the subject matter— Project Appraisal and Evaluation.

In this unit, we shall discuss Project Definition. Project definition will help to further strengthen our understanding of the nature of projects. It amplifies the meaning of the project cycle.

 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

discuss project definition
apply project definition to the project cycle.

MAIN CONTENT

Project Definition

In Unit 1, we discussed the project cycle. In a way, it was a much generalised discussion. Project definition is a sharper process which seeks to amplify the project from the idea stage to the time a project is completed. In the discussion of the project cycle, we did not go into greater depth into the nature of projects. This time around, we shall go a step further to bring more details about a project. 

The project definition brings out all the features

PROJECT APPRAISAL AND EVALUATION
of a project so that all the parties involved in a project can understand their roles.  Theoretically, we consider it very sound to go ahead to divide projects into two groups namely:

• public sector projects 
• private sector projects. 

Let us start by taking a look at a standard public sector project. A standard public sector project that we may consider is the rehabilitation of the Onitsha—Owerri Road. We shall now use it as a discussion case.

Discussion Case

Rehabilitation of Onitsha–Owerri Road

We want to use the rehabilitation of Onitsha–Owerri Road as a discussion case to bring out clearly the concept of project definition.  In the year 2004, following complaints from the South-Eastern states about the terribly bad state of the Onitsha–Owerri Road, the Federal Government then decided to rehabilitate the Onitsha–Owerri Road at a cost of two billion naira.

The engineering firm of C.C.C. Limited was chosen as the firm to carry out the rehabilitation work.
We can define the road project by a consideration of the various processes involved before the project is commissioned