Defining Project Categories and Sub-Categories
Ten recommended basic project categories are listed in Table 1, plus an eleventh category for all others, oriented primarily to products (results) of the projects. It is recognized that this list is preliminary and incomplete: a 'work in progress.' Projects within each of these ten specific categories are believed to use similar life cycle phases and utilize similar authorizing, planning, budgeting, scheduling, monitoring and controlling procedures and tools throughout their life cycles.
Subcategories are identified in Table 1 within nine of the basic categories. In most cases there will be differences -- in some cases significant -- between the project life cycle management process for the basic category and at least some of its subcategories. Others may wish to add subcategories to those shown in Table 1, or to add additional subcategories to those that are listed. Additional major categories may also be required to assure that all conceivable projects of significance to the international project management community are included. The names and terms used in Table 1 will no doubt undergo extensive changes before a broadly accepted list of categories has been established.
It should be noted that these categories are not mutually exclusive: many projects will include aspects of two or more categories. For example, most communications systems projects include at least the adaptation of information system software. Many facilities projects also include communication systems, and vice versa. In such cases the project probably should be classified in the more dominant category, or -- if justified by their size, complexity, or risk—defined as two or more projects (of different categories) within a program, with each project having a different life cycle definition.
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Projects, Programs, and Project Portfolios
