def METHOD_NAME(args):
	args = frappe._dict(args)
	if args.project_name and frappe.db.exists("Project", {"project_name": args.project_name}):
		return frappe.get_doc("Project", {"project_name": args.project_name})
	project = frappe.get_doc(
		dict(
			doctype="Project",
			project_name=args.project_name,
			status="Open",
			expected_start_date=args.start_date,
			company=args.company or "_Test Company",
		)
	)
	if args.project_template_name:
		template = make_project_template(args.project_template_name)
		project.project_template = template.name
	project.insert()
	return project