The terms “workflow” and “project” are frequently used interchangeably.
Well, they share many similarities, they serve distinct functions!
Knowing what those are will assist you in selecting the most efficient system, implementing the appropriate tools, and ultimately assisting your team in succeeding.
Let’s take a closer look at workflow management, project management, and everything in between.
What Exactly Is Project Management?
A project is a meticulously planned strategy for achieving a goal. Projects, whether carried out by an individual or an entire team, typically involve a series of tasks. These tasks are frequently unique to the project’s goal and can vary greatly from project to project. Nonetheless, each task is well defined, monitored, and assessed at every stage.
Although steps may be sequential, as in a workflow, projects typically have flexible structures with concurrent open assignment and room for edits or changes, as well as limitations in the form of timelines, budgets, and resources. It’s also worth noting that most projects are only temporary. The project is completed once the goal has been met. In contrast to the cyclical nature of a workflow, each project has a finite lifespan that ends with some sort of deliverable.
Project management is essential because it keeps teams on the same page when it comes to big-picture ideas. In practice, strong leaders with excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the foresight to anticipate and solve problems before they occur are required.
What similarities exist between workflow management and project management?
- Workflow management and project management can both be used to achieve simple and complex objectives.
Onboarding an employee can be turned into a workflow in the same way that writing a Tweet can be turned into a project.
- Workflow management and project management can both be used to achieve small and large-scale objectives.
Your yearly tax receipt filing workflow could take two months, whereas your annual tax return project could be completed in a day.
- Workflow and project management can both help to improve collaboration.
Both require your employees to communicate their objectives and collaborate to achieve them. Whether it’s creating an event guest survey or planning entire brand activation, both require collaboration.
- Workflow and project management can be used to organize and simplify processes.
When you have a written or visual reference for everything that needs to happen in order to achieve your goal, it’s easy to stay on the same page.
- Workflow management and project management can be used in tandem to boost productivity.
Workflows can be used within projects. Your convention, for example, may require sponsors. The process of pitching those sponsors can be turned into a repeatable, step-by-step workflow.
Workflow management and project management are as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly.
Because these two concepts are frequently confused, managers frequently use the incorrect project or workflow management software and apps to complete their tasks. Even if you now understand the distinction between workflow management and project management, you can use tools like Jobify to complete both simultaneously and without missing a beat. Having the ability to create and manage a workflow management system, track project updates, improve team communication, and plan any imaginable process or task in a single, user-friendly visual platform is a win-win for any ambitious project manager.
Conclusion
Workflow management is the “what” — what needs to happen and in what order. Project management, on the other hand, is concerned with the “how” — how it will be planned, monitored, and executed. But, in the end, these two distinct and highly effective practices work better together — especially when facilitated by tools like Micronet .