There is a lot to learn in a variety of subjects when studying for your PMP® exam. In this article, we will compare project management to general operations management. In this article, we will discuss the following topics in order to provide you with a clear understanding of the distinctions between general operations management and project management:
Management of general operations
Project administration
What is the distinction between project management and general operations management?
Management of General Operations
A general operations manager has a broader scope of responsibility than a project manager, and the role of a general operations manager is permanent, whereas the role of a project manager is temporary.
Operations management is a continuous function in an organization that performs activities that result in the production of goods or services. Accounting and human resources are two examples of ongoing operations. An organization requires those roles regardless of which initiative(s) it is working on. In both the manufacturing and service industries, there are three main types of systems in operation and production management:
System of mass production
Systems that do not repeat themselves.
System of Mass Production
Industries with high-demand products or services and high investment use the product-oriented mass production system, which focuses on the critical processes that aid in the production of that product or performance of the service. Special purpose equipment, such as automated conveyors, is used to perform the functions required for the product or service, allowing it to produce large quantities of product or service in a very efficient manner.
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System of Batch Production
When several products or services are required in the same factory, the batch production system is a good option—especially when demand is low, investment is low, and flexibility is required. When production shifts from one product to another, the system is adjusted. The management complexity increases in this case compared to a batch production system, which is process-oriented, whereas a mass production system is product-oriented.
The system with No Repetition
Low-demand systems are very different from the other two types; the systems place a greater emphasis on product and/or service planning, monitoring, and control. The requirements of these systems have resulted in an increase in project management.
As you can see, the line between product-oriented, process-oriented, and project-oriented management is thin and difficult to draw. To give an example, planning and designing a new car model is a project, whereas running a factory that manufactures the cars is a mass-production system. When it’s time to replace the car, it’s time for a more adaptable and adjustable process-oriented system.
Management of Projects
As previously stated, the role of a project manager is temporary; a project team is essentially a short-term association. In a fixed general operations management team, team members report directly to the team’s leader; team member roles are typically long-term. The manager is responsible for fostering good teamwork and establishing team norms and behaviors. He or she must instill trust and respect in the team, encourage the sharing of information, opinions, and feelings for the benefit of the team, and set goals to evaluate team members’ performance.
A project team, on the other hand, will be made up of people from various departments and locations throughout the organization. Though the project manager’s job is similar, project team members may occasionally report to the department manager in addition to the current project manager. The project team’s stability may wane as the priorities of the other departmental managers shift.
Maintaining teamwork can be difficult because team members may change from time to time to accommodate departmental priorities. Members of a changing team who do not know each other may find it difficult to share information, opinions, and feelings openly. Because the member frequently reports to more than one manager, evaluating his or her work may present a problem or two.
Management of Projects vs. Management of General Operations
Conclusion
Project management is distinct, highly planned, and unpredictable. The primary distinction between project management and operations management is that the project manager has a temporary role, which causes some unique differences and difficulties in team-building efforts.
