Adapted from a paper originally presented to an International Project/Program Management Workshop ESC Lille - Lille Graduate School of Management, Lille, France, © 2005.
PART 1 | Project Categorization Methods | Multi-dimensional Classification of Projects 
Classifying Projects within Categories and Sub-Categories | Conclusions

Conclusions

In place of the ad-hoc categorization of projects that is prevalent today, a more systematic approach to this important aspect of the project management discipline must be developed. This systematic approach must be:

  • Directly related to the specific needs and purposes of each organization
  • Hierarchical in nature.

The systematic categorization and classification of projects appears to be a fertile field for research by all members of the world of project management, including doctoral research topics.

References

  • Archibald, Russell D., Managing High-Technology Programs and Projects, 3rd Ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2003.
  • Archibald, Russell D., "A GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR CATEGORIZING PROJECTS: The Need for, Recommended Approach to, Practical Uses of, and Description of a Current Project to Develop the System." 2nd Latin American PMIGOVSIG Forum on Project Management In Government, September 21-22, 2004, Brasilia, Brazil. (Revised October 11, 2004.) (http://www.russarchibald.com/AGLOBALSYSTEM1104.pdf)
  • Crawford, Lynn, J. Brian Hobbs, and J. Rodney Turner, "Matching People, Projects, Processes, and Organizations,' Proceedings of the Project Management Institute Annual Seminars & Symposium, Oct. 3-10, 2002. San Antonio, Texas, USA. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
  • Crawford, Lynn, J. Brian Hobbs, and J. Rodney Turner, "Project Categorization Systems and their Use in Organizations: an empirical study", PMI Research Conference, London, UK, July 2004. Slide presentation at the 4th Project Management Workshop, Ecole Superieure de Commerce/ESC, Lille, France, August 16-20 2004.
  • Crawford, Lynn, J. Brian Hobbs, and J. Rodney Turner, Project Categorization Systems: Aligning Capability With Strategy for Better Results, Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, 2004. ISBN 1930699387. 129 pp. Note: Not available from PMI until the 3rd quarter of 2005. Appears to be based on the research project reported in London in 2004 (above.)
  • Fern, Edward, "Strategic Categorization of Projects," http://www.time-to-profit.com/TTPcategories.asp Giammalvo, Paul, "Announcing the 'Soft Launch' of the International Development Project Management Manual of Practice and Glossary Program." http://www.pmforum.org/viewpoints/2005/0708_e.htm
  • Hamel, Gary & C.K. Prahalad, Strategic Intent, Harvard Business Review, May-June 1989 Pfeiffer, Peter, "Environmental Project Management in Brazilian Municipalities. Experiences of a Brazil-Germany Technical Cooperation Project". Available at http://www.gau.org.br/; go to "downloads" and select this paper.
  • Shenhar, A.J., & R.M. Wideman, Project Management: From Genesis to Content to Classification, paper presented at Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS), Washington, DC, May 1996.
  • Youker, Robert, "The Difference Between Different Types of Projects," Proceedings of the Project Management Institute Congress 1999," Philadelphia, PA, USA. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
Classifying Projects within Categories and Sub-Categories  Classifying Projects within Categories and Sub-Categories
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