Project Vs Operational Work

Project: A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a product, service or a result. (PMBOK Definition)

Temporary: The temporary nature of the project can be by

1. Reaching a project's objective
2. Discovering that objective cannot be reached
3. The project is terminated

Unique product, service or result: By saying the project must have a specific end, does not mean that the product or service does. The PMBOK guide specifies that

1. A product be quantifiable and either an end item in itself, or part of something bigger
2. The project result in the capablility of performing a service
3. There is a result

Example of Project: Development of software for a firm which can automate their sales activity.

Project should be temporary, It should be unique and It should have specific end.

Operational Work: The work that is ongoing, repetitive , meant to sustain the business.

Example of Operational Work: Marketing activity of a firm

Shared Characteristics:

Project	Operational Work
Performed by People
Constrained by limited Resources
Planned, executed and controlled.

Opposing Characteristics:

Project	Operational Work
Temporary	Ongoing
Unique	Repetitive
Ends	Sustains