Operations guide
Workflow vs project management: which one does your team need?
A project creates a unique outcome. A workflow repeats a known pattern. Confusing the two creates either too much process or too little control.
What project management is for
Projects coordinate changing scope, milestones, dependencies, resources, and a defined end. Product launches and office moves are typical examples.
What operational workflows are for
Workflows run repeatable processes such as invoice approval, customer onboarding, access reviews, and monthly close. Consistency and exception handling matter more than a Gantt chart.
Five questions to choose
Use the answers to decide where the work should live.
- Does the same process run again next week or next month?
- Are the steps mostly stable between runs?
- Must someone approve or provide evidence?
- Do exceptions need explicit resolution?
- Is the main question “what needs attention now?”
When you need both
A project can produce a new operating process. Once launched, move the recurring execution into an operations system while the project tool retains planning and retrospective context.