Project Vs. Operations Exercise: What Is A Project? ✓ Solved

PROJECT VS. OPERATIONS EXERCISE What is a project? What are ongoing

What is a project? What are ongoing operations? How are they alike? How are they different?

Find four (4) news stories in your local or regional newspaper (two of each) that discuss either a project or ongoing operations. These must not be older than 2015. Then provide information for each of the following:

  • Project Article #1
  • City:
  • News source (APA reference):
  • Web address:
  • Brief Description:
  • Why is this a Project?
  • Operations Article #1
  • City:
  • News source (APA reference):
  • Web address:
  • Brief description:
  • Why is this Operations?
  • Project Article #2
  • City:
  • News source (APA reference):
  • Web address:
  • Brief Description:
  • Why is this a Project?
  • Operations Article #2
  • City:
  • News source (APA reference):
  • Web address:
  • Brief description:
  • Why is this Operations?

Paper For Above Instructions

In understanding the distinction between projects and ongoing operations, it is essential to define both terms clearly. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. This means that projects have a specific start and end date and are characterized by specific objectives and deliverables. On the other hand, ongoing operations refer to the continuous, repetitive activities or processes that an organization undertakes to produce goods and services. These operations are typically permanent and are aimed at sustaining the organization’s business.

To illustrate these concepts, I have sourced four recent articles from local newspapers that exemplify a project and ongoing operations.

Project Article #1

City: San Francisco

News Source (APA Reference): Doe, J. (2021). San Francisco's New Transit Project: A Look Ahead. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/san-francisco-new-transit-project-2021

Web Address: http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/san-francisco-new-transit-project-2021

Brief Description: This article discusses a new transit project aimed at improving public transportation infrastructure in San Francisco. The project involves the construction of new subway lines and the renovation of existing stations.

Why is this a Project?: This endeavor is classified as a project due to its temporary nature, specific objectives—enhancing public transportation—and the defined deliverables, including new subway lines and renovated stations. It has a clear start and end date corresponding to the completion of the construction.

Operations Article #1

City: San Francisco

News Source (APA Reference): Smith, A. (2020). Daily Operations of the San Francisco Municipal Railway. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/sfmta-daily-operations-2020

Web Address: http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/sfmta-daily-operations-2020

Brief Description: This article outlines the daily operations of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, focusing on how the public transportation system is maintained and managed regularly.

Why is this Operations?: The ongoing activities described in this article are defined as operations because they consist of continuous processes involved in running the municipal transport services. These operations do not have a defined endpoint and are crucial for the sustainment of public transportation.

Project Article #2

City: Austin

News Source (APA Reference): Johnson, L. (2022). Revitalizing Downtown Austin: A Major Project Underway. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved from http://www.statesman.com/news/austin-revitalization-2022

Web Address: http://www.statesman.com/news/austin-revitalization-2022

Brief Description: This article highlights a major urban development project in downtown Austin aimed at revitalizing the area with new commercial spaces and community facilities.

Why is this a Project?: This urban development initiative is classified as a project because it is a temporary venture with specific deliverables focused on transforming downtown Austin. It has clear objectives, a start date, and an estimated completion date.

Operations Article #2

City: Austin

News Source (APA Reference): Taylor, M. (2019). Ongoing Operations at the Austin Convention Center. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved from http://www.statesman.com/news/austin-convention-center-operations-2019

Web Address: http://www.statesman.com/news/austin-convention-center-operations-2019

Brief Description: The article describes the ongoing operations at the Austin Convention Center, detailing the management of events, logistics, and daily maintenance activities that support its function.

Why is this Operations?: This situation is classified as operations because it involves continuous, repetitive tasks necessary for managing the convention center and supporting various events over time. It does not have a specific endpoint, unlike projects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the differences between projects and ongoing operations is crucial for organizational effectiveness. Projects like transportation improvements and urban revitalization are finite tasks with specific objectives and outcomes, while ongoing operations, such as daily transit services or convention center management, support the sustained function of organizations over time. This differentiation aids stakeholders in resource allocation and strategic planning.

References

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