A Project is a temporary endeavor designed to produce a unique product, service, or result, characterized by a defined beginning and an end. Unlike ongoing operations or routine maintenance, a project is "extraordinary" in nature; it requires specific planning, a dedicated budget, and the coordination of various resources to achieve a particular goal or objective. Because every project is unique, it inherently involves a degree of uncertainty and risk, necessitating a structured management approach to navigate its specific constraints of scope, time, and cost.
A Work Request is a specific authorization for a task that is typically routine, repetitive, or corrective in nature, aimed at maintaining existing assets or standards. Unlike a project, it focuses on "business as usual" operations and addresses immediate needs—such as repairs, preventative maintenance, or minor service requests—that can be completed within a short timeframe using established procedures. Because these tasks are predictable and frequent, they are generally managed through a standardized intake system and funded by a pre-allocated operational budget rather than a unique capital investment.
Some basic concepts to help differentiate between a project and a work request. The distinctions can be hard to determine, and can be affected by many factors you may or may not be aware of!
When requesting a project, the following elements will be required to submit the request form. Please make sure you have these ready to ensure the Project Request can be prioritized appropriately.
Requestor
Division
Department
Estimated Cost
Cabinet Sponsor
Preferred Start date
Preferred Completion Date
Type of Request (Facilities, IT, HR, Accounting, Other)
Priority Level (High, Medium, or Low)
Project Name
Detailed Description of the problem to be addressed
Preferred Solution (Optional)
Attachments such as Estimates, drawings, etc... (Optional)
Submit Project Request
Project team evaluates the request to see if existing systems and services can be leveraged to meet the need.
Project team evaluates the request to verify budget, timeline, and priority.
Project is added to the Campus Master project list
President's Cabinet evaluates all projects for final approval and prioritization
Project is placed on the active schedule