Describe the key differences between Projects and Business-As-Usual (BAU). Make five relevant points.
Here is an explanation of what is expected for this APM project management exam question.
- A project introduces a one-off change or new product but BAU would seek to reproduce the same item. This could be a new IT system being developed to improve business efficiency and BAU would be using the system after release.
This means that the risk of failure is much higher for projects compared to BAU
- Projects are temporary and delivered over a finite period of time to meet a specific goal. Business-as-usual would be the day-to-day repeat activities for an existing product or service.
So for example the design of a new IT system would be a project whereas the operation of the system would be BAU.
- Projects have specific plans that are implemented which are generally bespoke and created to meet the deliverables of the project. No one project is the same. Business-as-usual follows internal procedures and processes that maintain the business.
This means that project managers need to be able to develop and implement plans quickly and effectively.
- A project will be funded from the capital budget that has been made available after the business case was accepted by the stakeholders. Business as usual would be funded from the operational budget.
This means that projects have to go through some business case approval process. This will often involve investment appraisal calculations.
- A project is fundamentally introducing change and is being governed by the stakeholder through a project manager to improve, create or develop something new that will benefit the organisation. Business-as-usual maintains the consistency of the organisation by continuing to function following processes and procedures in areas of work.
This means that projects have to effectively manage and implement change. This can often require a different mindset from BAU work.
A guide to...
Project Management Qualifications
Redwan Atwiri your answer lacked the necessary detail to get the marks. I have added some additional content in italics, which would help.
• Project are transient, they have a finite time in which they will deliver those deliverables.
• They are of various sizes, there are overheads associated with any project, involving risks that must be changed.
• They are directed at the achievement of benefits, we expect to derive a long-term benefit from them.
• They operate within a predetermined and planned budget
• Projects are the vehicles of changing an organisation, they are not repetitive BAU types of activity.