Difference Between Process and Project

In any field, be it engineering or some other, it is very important to execute a project, but in a proper process. These two terms of project and process are often confused, though they have a very huge impact on the overall system.

It is very important to understand what they mean and what the difference between them is. Because, once a person understands how to execute a project in a systematic way, then he will properly accomplish that task. In this post, we will learn the difference between process and project.

What is a Process?

Let us start this with a very simple example. Suppose you are given a task to first fill the chocolate boxes with chocolate, then pack it, and then deliver it to an address. If you see it properly, you will find that there are three tasks to fulfill that – filling, packing, and delivering. Each step goes sequentially and cannot be skipped in between or changed in between. This is called a process. Basically, a process is a step to execute a task in stages. This will give you the final outcome properly.

Process in work means better control of your output. Like you cannot execute a task randomly and in an unplanned manner, a system thus cannot be executed without proper planning and process. All the stages must be followed sequentially and any change in between or skipping the step can hamper your whole system. Thus, a process is targeted for better efficiency, clarity of work, data-based actions, reducing difficulties in execution, and making work more precise. If a process is followed rigorously, then your task will be executed smoothly.

What is a Project?

Let us continue the above-discussed example. You are now given the task to handle the cake manufacturing and delivery system. When you are given this task, you will see that you are just given an overview or main job title. Actual work in it depends on how you execute it. This is a project. A project is a means by which a system must be executed in a given time frame properly. How you execute it depends on you; it’s just about fulfilling it on time.

Projects work on deadline and a defined scope. You have to follow internal steps in it to fully complete the project on time and with good accuracy. So, a project aims at better streamlining, the flow of work, a predefined budget, and better timelines.

This helps the person to execute a task more properly. So here, you will thus see that a project goes through many processes to complete itself. This is the major difference between them. Let us have a look at some differences between processes and projects accordingly.

Difference between project and process

1. A project goes through the following stages – creating initiatives, planning the execution, doing the execution, monitoring and controlling it, and then closing it. A process requires the following stages in it to execute a project – making a flow diagram, analysing problems, taking some additional resources if required, awareness about problems and solutions and readiness to revise the task.
2. A process comes under a project. Thus, a project is the master head, whereas a process is something that works under it.
3. A process is a kind of R&D work, where you have to first create it for the following. A project is a kind of execution work, where you just have to fulfill them on time after the processes have been defined.
4. A process is not time-defined, but a project is time-defined.
5. The main aim of a process is to improve efficiency, reliability, and quality; whereas the main aim of a project is to improve production.

In this way, we saw the difference between a process and a project.