Introduction
How should we categorize different types of projects? The dictionary defines
typology as the study of types as in systematic classification. It defines
taxonomy as the science, laws, or principles of classification. It defines
classification as the systematic grouping into categories by shared characteristics
or traits. The project management profession needs a classification system for
different types of projects so that we may communicate effectively across the
entire spectrum of projects and across the entire world.
There are many different potential purposes for a system of classification.
One useful objective for a list of different types of projects is to segment
the market for marketing purposes. Another is to define the different management
approaches needed for different projects. The system of classification might
change based on the purpose. Another purpose would be to select the right project
manager based on the requirements of a specific project.
Other research
Shenhar and Wideman in several papers have proposed a system of classification
based on three variables of (1) Degree of uncertainty at initiation; (2) Complexity
based on degree of interconnectedness and (3) Pace based on the need for
speed in the available time frame for the project. In a second paper they added
the dimension of an intellectual product (white collar) versus a craft product
(blue collar). These papers present several very useful analyses but they do
not give us a complete list of different types of projects nor do they define
all the differences between them.
Alternative parameters for categorizing projects
There are a four basic ways in which we can set up a classification system
of projects as follows: (1) geographical location, (2) industrial sector
(Standard Industrial Classification System), (3) stage of the project life
cycle and (4) product of the project (construction of a building or development
of a new product). The most important and the most useful breakdown is by type
of product or deliverable that the project is producing such as building a building,
developing a new product, developing new computer software program or performing
a maintenance turnaround or outage on a chemical plant or electric generating
station.
Each of these types of projects has more in common with other similar projects
producing the same type of product than with other types of projects. Conversely
there is much less commonality between different types of projects in the same
industrial sector or company. For example there is much more commonality between
projects for developing a new software system in a construction company and a
bank than there is between three projects in the same bank for constructing a
new building, developing a new product and developing a new computer software
system.
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Abstract
