The Project Management Institute (n.d.) defines project management as "the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements"  and "the practice of planning, organizing, and executing the tasks needed to turn a brilliant idea into a tangible product, service, or deliverable." Simply put, project management is the process that allows one to successfully initiate, manage, and complete a project. 

The history of project management has experienced significant shifts over the past 60+ years. As seen in the infographic below, four particular stages constitute project management's historical timeline (Max, 2024). For each stage, we'll highlight a key advancement that distinguishes it from the other stages (Max, 2024).               

Stage 1: This stage is well-known for being the time period when the Gantt Chart, a unique way allowing users to view relationships and end dates related to the project, was developed. 

Stage 2: Iterative project planning, methodical repeated planning and development of projects, became a practice during this stage. 

Stage 3: Certification programs were introduced including the first certification test for project management held by the Project Management Institute (PMI). 

Stage 4:  A staple of many tech companies the world over, agile methodologies which emphasize collaboration and iterative processes became popular during this stage.