Understanding Projects Processes and all things in between…!!!

This note looks at Projects and Processes from purely a ‘Effective Management ’ perspective ‘Project Management’ per se is a separate science and may define these concepts differently.

To understand how we can most efficiently manage our Projects and Processes, we need to first define the concept of Projects and Processes.

All tasks can be broadly divided into Projects and Processes. Definitely there are some tasks which may not fit into either of the two classifications, and or share characteristics of both classifications. These outliers we will discuss later.

Simply put a Project or Process could be defined as a set of related tasks needed to be performed to achieve a certain aim or result. One of the major difference between a Project and Process is the temporary or time bound nature of Projects, i.e Projects have a definite End Date. Processes on the other hand are time agnostic and are continuous by nature.

Some tasks like a ‘A Visit to the Plant’ By potential funders does have a fixed end date however, they also have fixed protocols, procedures and practices in place these activities are sort of hybrid and lay somewhere between Projects and Processes. In a way they meet all the criteria for a project however there are fixed protocols, procedures and processes in place. These Activities we call ‘Hybrid Projects’ or ‘Process Projects’ however one should not confuse this with Projects which are initiated to change Processes.

Some basic differences between Projects and Processes from Hamza Khan’s article

http://99u.com/workbook/24121/the-difference-between-projects-and-processes

Before we move further we must understand that Projects and Processes have a cascading nature i.e. Every Project is made up of Sub Projects and Every Process is made up of Sub Processes for example; organising a client event could be one Sub Project for my boss in his / her Project which aims at launching a new product. While if I am responsible for organising the event if becomes a Project for me. At the same time listing, inviting, confirming guest could be a project for one of my subordinates…but a Sub Project for me….

Managing Projects and Processes

Managing projects requires a lot of thinking, strategy and planning control of the same needs to be with the Manager himself or herself. Time requirements for projects is much higher than processes.

Managing Processes can be delegated however a keen eye needs to be kept on the performance of processes although they are something which don’t require urgent attention or attention without which progress will stop.

In conclusion we need to clearly identify tasks as part of projects or processes and deal with them accordingly.