3. What are project constraints? How do they affect the project management process? 4. What is the relationship between Projects, and operations?

Answer 1

In project management, constraints are the boundaries or limitations that define what’s possible within a project. Traditionally, PMI refers to the “triple constraint” as scope, time, and cost but in reality, projects operate under six major constraints: scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risk.

Each constraint interacts with the others. For example:

1. If you shorten the schedule, you might need more resources (increasing cost).
2. If you reduce cost, you might affect quality or scope.

This interdependence is why project managers must balance trade-offs constantly. PMI calls this integrated management, making decisions that optimize the whole system, not just one part. For the purpose of the exam, we will focus on understanding the triple constraint and learn how they are all dependent on each other. Also, the first rule of knowing as a PM, projects are temporary and Operations are permanent depending on the lifecycle of the business. Projects aid operations but they have a end date.