Project Management

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'Projects' : Recurring vs New

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Suzy K
I am trying to define what goes on in an organization that I have just joined. It is an organization that offers trainings (the same training package every year). So the process and ‘projects’ involved are the same. Along the way, new goals pop up for growth, such as procurement of sponsors and marketing campaigns.  

How can I categorize the two:  
1. Recurring annual ‘projects’ that lead up to the main training program of every year.
(Would these even be considered projects if they’re done again and again ? Does each component need to be evaluated as such ? Or is it better considered a program with small steps under its umbrella? Considering that this involves 6 departments, total team of 20.)

2. New ‘projects’ that pop up each year that contribute to growth. 
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Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani Manager, Quality and Continuous Improvement| Hörmann-TNR Industrial Doors Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
To be honest, it depends.
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Suzy -

What is the purpose of the categorization? If it is just to locate projects, then a similar - repeating vs. unique taxonomy might do.

As far as organizing the training projects, unless they are somehow integrated leading to a higher or more strategic outcome, you might just consider them part of a training portfolio which will enable simple reporting. If you organize them in a program, you have to consider whether the overhead of having them managed as a program is justified.

Kiron
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Suzy, recurring annual projects can be still considered projects but I feel they are more of operations than projects so I would call them Business Operation underwhich many activities fall. New projects, if they are courses, can be considered new products that do fall under operations!
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1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Feb 28, 2024 4:48 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
...
I am aligning with Rami...
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Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, United States
One way to look at it is how they're funded. Are they part of an annual budget that gets refilled every year to do essentially the same thing, or do you have a discrete authorization and budget for a unique project?

I would agree that the recurring work may include projects and would generally be categorized under Biz Ops. The context can still change every year like the people involved, the training locations, annual updates to training materials etc. which can be complex enough that it definitely fits the category of projectized work.
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Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Feb 27, 2024 10:57 AM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Suzy, recurring annual projects can be still considered projects but I feel they are more of operations than projects so I would call them Business Operation underwhich many activities fall. New projects, if they are courses, can be considered new products that do fall under operations!
I am aligning with Rami...

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