Listen to any “productivity guru” in the creative space, and you’ll hear lots of talk about project management. Listen longer, and you’ll hear all about how “outsourcing to a project manager” will buy you more time to create.

Twenty years after earning my certification in Project Management and after ten years of working for independent authors and running my own author business, i’m here to tell you:

Projects are not what the gurus tell you they are.

And if you keep looking at your business like this, you’re hobbling your ability to scale your business and earn more time to create.

 

 

As an independent self-published author or creative entrepreneur, you probably have a lot on your plate. From writing and editing to marketing and promoting your work, it can be tough to keep track of everything you need to do. That’s where project and operations management come in.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines a project as a one-time task with a specific goal and a defined beginning and end. For example, writing and publishing a new book, creating an online course, or launching a new website would all be considered projects. Operations, on the other hand, are ongoing tasks that are necessary for the daily functioning of a business. This could include managing finances, tracking your Amazon and Facebook ads, and posting to social media.

So, why is it important to understand the difference between these two types of management?

It really comes down to how you allocate your time and resources. Projects often require a lot of time and energy — focus — but they also should have a direct contribution toward your growth, so it’s important to be able to plan and prioritize them to meet deadlines and achieve your goals. Operations, meanwhile, are ongoing tasks that are required to maintain your business which need a different approach to management. It’s important to set up systems and processes to make sure they’re completed efficiently and effectively on a daily basis.

One key difference between project and operations management is the role of the project manager. A project manager is in charge of overseeing the entire project from start to finish, making sure it’s completed on time and within budget. An operations manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the business and may not be directly involved in specific projects. These are subtly different skills, requiring different strengths and approaches. And when you confuse them, you get in the way of your best success.

So, what’s the first step in winning that battle?

Understanding the difference between project and operations management.

Armed with this information, you can plan and allocate your time and resources more effectively, outsource the right things to the right people, or bring the right piece of your own brain to the tasks at hand. You’ll do more with less, and give yourself more time to do what you really want to do: create.