What distinguishes a project from ongoing operations?

A project is distinctly characterized as a temporary endeavor aimed at achieving specific goals and objectives. This temporary nature implies that projects have a defined beginning and end, which sets them apart from ongoing operations that are continuous and repetitive in nature. The temporary aspect means that once the project reaches its objectives, it concludes, making way for either a new project or a return to daily operations.

Additionally, the focus on specific goals helps highlight the unique and often innovative outputs of projects, contrasting with the routine functions of operations that aim to maintain or sustain existing processes or outputs without a defined endpoint. This inherent difference aligns with project management principles and helps stakeholders understand the dynamic nature of projects versus the steady nature of operational activities.