{"id":68972,"date":"2023-11-28T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T20:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/?p=68972"},"modified":"2026-04-27T10:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:47:10","slug":"organizational-process-assets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/blog\/organizational-process-assets","title":{"rendered":"Organizational Process Assets: Definitions, Examples & Templates"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many things that are needed when managing a project. Front of mind are resources and intangible things like leadership, experience and general know-how. But there are also tangible items that are just as important. Some of these are called organizational process assets.<\/p>\n

These organizational process assets are critical to a project\u2019s success and its operations. To make sure you understand what organizational process assets are, first, we\u2019ll define the terms and explain their importance. Then we\u2019ll get into some examples to fully illustrate their meaning.<\/p>\n

What Is an Organizational Process Asset?<\/h2>\n

An organizational process asset is a tangible resource that’s used to guide the management of an organization\u2019s projects and operations. These tangible assets can be templates, contracts, processes, reports and financial statements which are usually managed by the project management office (PMO)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Officially defined by the Project Management Institute\u2019s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMI\u2019s PMBOK) as \u201cthe plans, processes, policies, procedures and knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization,\u201d operational process assets influence the management of a project.<\/p>\n

Besides the examples above, an operational process asset can be any practice or knowledge from anything used to execute or govern the project, even lessons learned from previous projects, programs<\/a> or project portfolios. Organizational process assets may also include schedules, risk data and earned value data.<\/p>\n

From standardized guidelines, proposal evaluation criteria and work breakdown structure templates to project closure guidelines, change control procedures and other project files, organizational process assets need organization. ProjectManager<\/a> is award-winning project management software with unlimited file storage to make your organizational process assets accessible. Our cloud-based software means you can access project documents anywhere and at any time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.<\/p>\n

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ProjectManager has unlimited file storage to hold all your organizational process assets. Get started for free<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Are Organizational Process Assets Important for Project Management?<\/h2>\n

Because an organizational process asset includes everything that an organization needs to manage its projects, from plans, policies and procedures to guidelines, they’re instrumental in the planning stage<\/a> of any project. They provide a map for the project manager and project team to follow, giving them an understanding of what is and what is not acceptable as they plan, execute and manage the project.<\/p>\n

There’s another way that organizational process assets are important in the planning process. Lessons learned<\/a> after a project has been completed are another organizational process asset. Therefore, these organizational process assets archived from previous projects can inform how to improve the project management of new projects.<\/p>\n

Outside of project planning, organizational process assets are helpful when onboarding a new hire. It makes clear the roles and responsibilities of the new employee, which gets them up and running faster. They’re aware of what’s expected of them and can become self-sufficient and a productive member of the team. Organizational process assets are also helpful for established employees as a tool for their development.<\/p>\n

Types of Organizational Process Assets<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve listed what falls under the term organizational process assets, but it\u2019s time to look a bit closer at the various types of assets and what they are. In general, you can divide organizational process assets into two main categories: processes, policies, procedures and organizational knowledge bases. Let\u2019s define each of these types.<\/p>\n

Processes<\/h3>\n

Processes are the interrelated steps or activities that are done to complete a task. Another way to look at processes is as a simple overview of workflows. They are a way to quickly understand how something has to be done for management and for the project team alike. Processes can be expressed as checklists, process maps, forms and tutorials. They increase efficiency<\/a>, simplify onboarding, archive organizational knowledge, help with continuous improvement and make organizations more agile.<\/p>\n

Policies<\/h3>\n

Policies are at a higher level than processes. They’re more concerned with culture, strategy and decision-making<\/a> in the organization and they’re used to guide how decisions at the organization are made. Policies are important because they help an organization stay compliant with the law. They also help to make sure that internal processes are consistent, help organizations navigate crises, add to the overall efficiency of operations and provide accountability by clarifying and reinforcing standards of professionalism.<\/p>\n

Project Documentation<\/h3>\n

Project documents are created by the project manager during the developmental process of a project. This project documentation<\/a> will guide the project team, who are expected to follow certain procedures, specifications and more. Examples of project documents are the project plan, schedule and budget.<\/p>\n

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