# Areas programs and projects are distinct but often confused * **Projects** *are chartered to create a specified “deliverable” as efficiently as possible*[^1]. They are are the ‘discrete’ unit of work. Of course, projects can still have [[Knightian Uncertainty]], but they have a clear definition of what “done” looks like (is this true?) * **Programs** *focus on the coordination of a number of related projects and other activities, over time, to deliver benefits to the organization*.[^2] * [[Research programs lie on a spectrum between a portfolio of bets and components of a system]] * **Areas** are broad groups of interest like “climate” or “space exploration.” Unlike programs, they are both not necessarily focused on delivering benefits and don’t require coordination. Note that these distinctions can span all the quadrants in [[raoGUTSGrandUnified2018]]/[[obengAllChangeProject1996]]. ### Related * [[§Program Design]] * [[Program design is a coordination tool]] [^1]: From [[weaverUnderstandingProgramsProjects2010]] [^2]: Also from [[weaverUnderstandingProgramsProjects2010]] [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Areas+programs+and+projects+are+distinct+but+often+confused) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Areas+programs+and+projects+are+distinct+but+often+confused)