https://www.mudassiriqbal.net/project-management-terms-and-concepts There are many concepts and definitions which require special attention by all PMP Aspirants as the terminologies are largely used interchangeably in the real world.

1. ‘Enterprise Environment Factors’ and
‘Organisational Process Assets’: EEF vs OPA
You, your team and project are not in space, they are surrounded by the environment. EEF and OPA’s
make this environment for you. They do not compete with each other as EEF vs OPA, but they help
the project manager to understand the project environment and take appropriate decisions. They are to
support and in some cases constraints, the performing organisation and the wider community provide
to assist project teams to manage and deliver their projects.
Environment is everything that is around us. Living things live in their environment. They
constantly interact with it and adapt themselves to conditions in their
environment.(Wikipedia).
Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEF) and Organization Process Assets (OPA) are fundamental
inputs to project management processes. Though many people find it challenging to differentiate
between them. The knowledge of these key components will help many candidates to better understand
the practice of project management.
Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEF):
Enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) refer to conditions, not under the control of the
project team, that influence, constrain, or direct the project.
Enterprise Environmental Factors refer to certain conditions that might influence or help the project
which is not under the control of the project team. It’s important for the project team to understand and

2. work with EEF to progressively carry out the project. The project management team has little or no
influence on the Enterprise Environmental Factors and therefore it is often seen as obstacles or
opportunities. These include various factors such as the current internal and external infrastructure,
networks and software, and computer systems. These dynamics are both inside and outside the
organization that influences the way you manage the project. Cultural, political, economic and legal
environments the project is operating within are considered as EEF
We have two types of Enterprise Environmental Factors
1. Internal or Organizational Environment
1. Organizational culture
2. Type of organizational structure
3. Internal political conditions
4. Available resources
5. Power Structure
2. External i.e Beyond Organization
1. Government regulation
2. Market conditions
3. Infrastructure
4. External political conditions
Organization Process Assets (OPA):
Organizational process assets (OPAs) are the plans, processes, policies, procedures, and
knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization.
Organization Process Assets comprise of plans, processes, guidelines, and knowledge formulated by
the organization which is used in the management of the project. Many businesses develop a wide
range of templates, procedures, plans, registers, and evaluation tools to help in the management of the
project. According to PMI, Organization Process Assets typically lies in two categories. One is
documentation which includes both present documents and historic records while the other is
knowledge repositories that combine and organize the information and make it handy. These sources
of information help project managers in achieving their ultimate project objectives.
As depicted in the diagram are divided into two sets.
 Processes and procedures
o HR and other General Policies

3. o Procurement Procedures
o The standard template for Project Charter, MOM, Approvals
o General guidelines
 Corporate knowledge
o Risk register
o Lessons learned
o Stakeholder register
o Past project files
o Historical information
o Project Report
o Project Files

The Differences
Even though EEF and OPA look similar in purpose, in reality, they are not. Organization Process
Assets help businesses to consistently improve their processes, assist the project management team in
gaining information, and share best practices using a combined knowledge base approach. On the
contrary, Enterprise Environmental Factors may or may not help the organization. These are the
conditions in which the company is required to work, though it doesn’t fall under the control of the
project management team. For instance, if government increase tax, it will negatively affect the profit
of the business. On the other hand, if it decreases, it will benefit your business. The other major
difference is Enterprise Environmental Factors are difficult to change and in any way you need to live
with them. While Organization Process Assets are customized according to the requirement and help
the team in efficiently handling the project.
Comparison
1. EEF’s are to mandatory to follow, OPA’s are best practices and can be omitted if needed
2. EEF’s will always influence the project, whereas as a process improvement exercise we may update
OPA’s.
3. EEF’s work as constraints and therefore limits the options for the project team, whereas being
Assets, OPA’s is to facilitate the project.
4. Changes in EEF’s are rather not possible whereas OPA’s can be made better for future use.

4. 5. PMIS and all other systems like Work Authorizations are part of EEF as Internal Influencer because
your project has to use it as this is company policy and standard application to be used.
6. EEF’s we can’t control them whereas OPA helps us to do things efficiently
7. OPA’s are Assets and EEF’s are Factors, which can be in favour or against your project objectives
The Challenges
During reading the PMBOK 6, especially for EEFs and OPA’s we will find that many items which we
in real life deals as one item, PMBOK divides them in between OPA’s and EEFs
1. Approved Suppliers are EEF but Contracts are OPA
2. Ethics and code of conduct are listed as both internal and external EEFs (Pg 38 and 39).
3. Management systems like Information Technology, Configuration management, Issues & Detect
Management are part of Internal EEFs, whereas knowledge repositories created are OPAs.
4. Commercial risk databases are EEFs, whereas organizational risk categories are OPAs.
5. Work authorization systems are EEFs, whereas procedures for issuing work authorizations are
OPAs.
6. Human resources availability are EEFs, whereas human resource policy for hiring, reward
recognitions system etc are OPAs.
7. Environmental policies are OPAs.