Difference between OPA and EEF!

Submitted by krantikumar50 on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:24

Dear All and SS,


I read the difference between EEF and OPA from Cindy Stackpole's book and thought of sending it to all. I am reproducing the content verbatim.


 


" The difference between EEF and OPA can be confusing.


 


One way of looking at it is that EEFs tend to limit or constrain the options on a project and the OPAs tend to assist, or provide guidance.


 


For example, industry standards significantly restrict options in product development. You can develop a product that is not consistent with industry standards, but it will not be very successful. So this EEF is something that the Project Team must take into consideration in planning, and it is something that will constrain their options.


 


OPAs that provide assistance, such as templates for the Project Charter, or the WBS, are artifacts that the team does not have to invent for themselves. They provide a shortcut.


 


Lesson learned from prior projects can also provide guidance and assistance when planning a project.


 


In short, EEFs CONSTRAIN, where as OPAs ASSIST".


 


Warmly, KK....


 


 


 


 


 


 

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ntomer

Tue, 07/03/2012 - 04:40

Makes sense...

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admin

Tue, 07/03/2012 - 10:25

You are right at broad level.  Environmental factors is the climate under which project is being executed, one dimension is that , you can identify risks based on EEF

happyinlove505

Thu, 02/07/2013 - 12:24

 So is Industry Standard an EEF or OPA?

initially I though it should be EEF because it comes from the environment the project takes place in.

Then I thought that sometimes projects are done beyond industry standards while standards can be used to assist the project. So now it looks like OPA to me.

What is correct?

happyinlove505

Thu, 02/07/2013 - 12:39

 another confusing point is organisational policies. Usually they are treated as OPA. However, project must be compliant with them. Therefore, this policies constraint the project (not just assist). That means that OPA can also constraint as well.

uglory

Thu, 02/07/2013 - 16:18

 Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!.