code: private String findProperty( String prop )
      {
          String result = System.getProperty( prop );
          if ( result == null )
          {
              result = mavenProject.getProperties().getProperty( prop );
          }
          return result;
      }
docs: Look for a value for the specified property in System properties then project properties.
  @param prop the property name
  @return the value or null if not found