Each type of project requires its own approach and has its own Beat.

It is very important to determine the scope of a project in order to determine a viable approach. But it is at least as important to determine what type of project you have to do and to have a consensus among all the parties involved. If not, annoyance and the questioning of the project is a expected consequence.

According to Eddie Obeng, a British educator, author, and motivations preacher, there are four types of projects, depending on the extent to which one knows what the project entails and how one has to tackle it.

Fog

When one does not know exactly what the scope of a project should be and one does not know exactly how to tackle it then we have a project in the ‘ Fog ‘.

For example, introducing a new business strategy because of political, legislative or socio-economic change in the organization. This type of project requires a team that has the will to learn and create together and a strong leadership: control, strong communication, innovation and creation to ensure a result.

Making a movie.

Do you know how to tackle the project but not exactly what the scope will be, then you are making a ‘ movie ‘. The way towards it and managing the project is clear and initially the focus is then on defining the ‘ what ‘ and not so much how it will be done. The project then realizes itself as it were.

On a Quest.

Sometimes it is clear what the end result should be but not how this should come about. A lot of information technology related projects can be considered as a quest. A lot of solutions have to be considered gradually during the project an put the aspects time and budget constantly under pressure.

Painting by numbers

Are you sure of what needs to be done and how it should be realized, then you have a project of the type of ‘ painting by numbers ‘ method. Such projects have a clear purpose and a well defined set of activities to finish the project.