Issue Management and the Issue Log
Problems and issues can affect the control of any project. A problem is a cause for concern that is within the project manager's domain of control. The project manager has the tools to fix a problem.
An issue is more generic than a problem. An issue is a cause for concern on a project. Many issues arise during the course of a project. Most of them are solved by the work team as part of their daily work or by the project manager. Some issues, however, are beyond the scope of responsibility of team members and the project manager. These issues affect the project manager's area of control, but the project manager lacks the necessary authority or tools to fix them. A project manager must either escalate or delegate those issues to the area of control that can provide a solution.