A TAXONOMY OF WORK EFFORTS

It can be argued that a project is a project because I choose to define it as a project and manage it as a project. This sounds like heresy, but the more complex projects are done using several modes of organizing the work effort. Understanding the alternative modes will aid in gaining a clear concept of a project.

There are five basic modes in which work is accomplished: 1) craft, 2) project, 3) job shop, 4) progressive line, and 5) continuous flow. While most organizations perform some work in several of these modes, generally one mode is dominant in the core technology of the organization. For example, some organizations are inherently project oriented—such as construction companies, research labs, movie production, theater, and, yes, even political campaigns.