By: Capella University Editorial Team with Bradly Roh, PhD, DBA and Interim Dean and Vice President for the School of Business, Technology and Health Care Administration 

Reading Time: 8 minutes  

In many organizations, two roles consistently shape progress behind the scenes: operations management and project management. 

Operations managers keep the engine running. Project managers build what’s next. Both roles manage people, processes and outcomes, but in fundamentally different ways. 

If you’re considering your next move, understanding how these paths differ can help you choose the direction that best fits your goals and current life commitments. 

Explore how operations managers and project managers compare, what sets each role apart and ways you can prepare for each career path. 

Ready to start building your management skills? Explore our online bachelor’s in business administration program.

What is a project manager? 

Project managers often lead temporary initiatives that have a clear start and end. They ensure the project delivers the desired results, on time and within budget. 

They usually manage the entire project lifecycle and focus on delivery, execution and outcomes. When a project ends, they move on to the next initiative. 

If you enjoy variety, deadlines and seeing tangible results from your work, project management may be a good fit.  

Their day-to-day responsibilities combine planning, coordination and ongoing oversight. 

• Planning and scoping projects: Define project scope, goals, deliverables, timelines, tasks and milestones. This can involve collaborating with stakeholders to set expectations upfront. 

• Organizing people and tasks: Break deliverables and milestones into actionable tasks, assign them, manage dependencies and coordinate across teams. 

• Managing timelines and budgets: Monitor progress, adjust timelines and keep expenses under control, from project kickoff to completion. 

• Risk and issue management: Anticipate risks, create contingency plans and address issues before they affect outcomes. 

• Reporting and stakeholder management: Provide progress updates, facilitate meetings, manage documentation and ensure transparency for all stakeholders. 

These are just some of the duties you may encounter as a project manager. Because project management professionals can work across different industries and fields, such as product development, software development, construction or marketing, their exact responsibilities depend on the industry and organization they work in.  

What is an operations manager? 

An operations manager oversees the daily activities that keep a business running smoothly. Their focus is on continuous improvement, efficiency and long-term stability. 

Instead of working on individual projects, they usually manage the systems and resources that allow organizations to meet their goals consistently.  

The role involves core functions that help businesses operate efficiently and consistently. 

• Management of daily processes: Remove bottlenecks, standardize procedures and enforce policies that support daily workflows across business functions, from production to client service. 

• Production control and resource allocation: Balance cost, quality and output across the organization. Manage staff schedules, equipment, budgets and vendor relationships to maintain efficiency. 

• Building and maintenance of systems: Design the systems teams rely on, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal tools, quality control standards, communication channels and performance dashboards. 

• Team leadership: Develop a culture of consistency and excellence through hiring, training and performance management. 

• Strategic improvement: Identify long-term opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste and improve productivity. 

An operations manager’s duties can also change depending on their industry and organization. 

Over time, both operations and project management enable organizations to scale sustainably. Despite these common goals, the two roles are quite different. 

Operations manager vs. project manager: similarities and differences 

These roles often work side by side, but they differ in how they define success, timelines and responsibility. 

Where operations managers and project managers overlap 

Despite their differences, operational and project management overlap in key areas. 

• Process improvements: Introducing changes that operations teams maintain over time. 

• Cross-functional coordination: Bringing together teams across departments to achieve shared goals. 

• Quality and risk management: Maintaining standards while identifying and addressing potential issues early. 

• Communication: Serving as a link between leadership and frontline teams to ensure alignment and transparency. 

Operations managers and project managers: key differences 

To understand how these roles differ in the real world, let’s consider a scenario where a company is launching a new software product. 

In this instance, the project manager handles the purchase, setup, testing and rollout. They define timelines, assign action items and communicate with all the people involved. Their goal is to implement the new software successfully and on time. 

After implementation, the operations manager takes over and manages how teams use the tool on a daily basis, updates SOPs, trains employees and tracks whether the software improves efficiency. 

Both are essential roles, but they operate from opposite ends of the business spectrum. 

Because these roles operate differently, they tend to require distinct skill sets and professional preparation. 

Operations manager vs. project manager: skills, competencies and education 

Operations managers and project managers need unique skills that can support the nature of their work. Though they share many of the same core skills, they use them in different ways.  

Skills for operations managers

Operations managers must see the entire business system at once and balance efficiency with people leadership. 

Core skills and competencies of an operations manager include: 

• Process optimization 

• Strategic operational planning 

• Resource management 

• Team leadership and HR skills 

• Communication 

• Budget oversight 

• Analytical thinking 

• Quality assurance 

• Change management 

• Proficiency in tools used for operational management 

Skills for project managers 

Project managers must maintain high momentum and coordinate complex activities under tight deadlines. 

Core skills and competencies of a project manager include: 

• Project planning and execution 

• Risk management 

• Budget and timeline control 

• Stakeholder communication 

• Task prioritization 

• Team management 

• Documentation and reporting 

• Negotiation skills 

• Technical understanding (depending on the industry) 

• Proficiency in project management tools 

Education and certifications 

Education and certifications help you develop the skills and knowledge you need for whichever path you choose. Formal credentials may also help demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. 

Education for operations managers 

Operations managers typically come from business, management or industry-specific educational backgrounds. Common degrees include: 

• Bachelor’s degrees focusing on the essential knowledge and skills to manage business operations and teams. Capella’s online BS in Business Administration degree provides business fundamentals and gives you hands-on experience in different areas like marketing and finance. 

• Master’s degrees to help you deepen your strategic, analytical and leadership skills. Capella’s online MBA in Business Administration program can help you prepare for senior operations management roles or broader organizational responsibility. 

• Industry-specific degrees for roles in certain specialized fields or in highly regulated industries like health sciences. For example, a BS in Health Care Management may help you pursue a path in patient care operations. 

• Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma and Certified Operations Manager programs, as well as supply chain credentials like Certified in Production and Inventory Management and Certified Supply Chain Professional, can help build specialized operational knowledge.

Education for project managers 

Project managers may pursue degrees that help them understand planning, execution and team coordination. Common education paths include: 

• Bachelor’s degrees that focus on project management to learn about project planning, management and leadership. Capella University’s BS in Business, Project Management degree helps you build career-focused skills and learn how to deliver positive outcomes, assess risks, allocate resources and manage stakeholders. 

• Master’s degrees to work on advanced strategic skills and prepare you to lead larger or more complex projects. Capella’s MBA in Project Management program incorporates concepts and methods used by leading professionals and industry associations.  

• Industry-specific or technical degrees can support transitions into project management, particularly for professionals who already have a solid understanding of the work being managed. For example, an MS in Information Technology, Project Management may help you move into IT project management roles. 

• Certifications play an important role in project management by validating knowledge of established frameworks and methodologies. Common options include the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certifications by the Project Management Institute (PMI), as well as Agile certifications such as the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the Project Management Institute’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) program. You may also be able to leverage eligible certifications to fulfill course requirements in select degree programs.  

In Capella University’s online business programs, you learn from industry experts with real-world experience, so you get actual expert insights and knowledge into your chosen role and field. 

Potential career paths in operational management and project management 

After completing your education, you can explore different professional pathways in operational and project management. Here’s a brief overview of what each career path could lead to. 

Operational management 

In this field, you may start by assisting operations managers or as part of an operations management team or in an adjacent role. With experience and advanced degrees, you may consider leadership roles, like director of operations. 

You could also explore roles like: 

• Account manager 

• Product manager 

• General manager 

• Sales manager 

• Director of business development 

These examples give you a general idea of what a career in operations management looks like. Your career path can vary significantly depending on the organization and industry in which you work. In some roles, you may need additional experience or credentials. 

Project management 

In this profession, you may start as a project coordinator before progressing to project manager. With experience and continuous education, you could pursue advanced roles like director of project management or program manager. 

Other roles you could explore include: 

• Project coordinator 

• Technical project manager 

• Project management manager 

• General manager 

• IT project manager 

These examples highlight possible paths in project management, with progression varying by industry and organization. If you’re aiming for senior roles or organizational management positions, you may need additional credentials and experience to support your advancement. 

Learn key management skills with Capella 

Operations managers and project managers serve distinct but equally important purposes.  

Whichever path you choose, your journey starts with good preparation. Capella University offers skills-based online business management programs at different levels, so you can get the essential knowledge and training you need. 

Capella programs are designed for working adults who want to grow in their field or pursue management opportunities without taking years off for full-time in-person education. 

Speak with our enrollment specialists to discover the ideal program for you today. 

Start learning crucial management skills today. Explore our online business and management programs.

FAQs 

Is an operations manager higher than a project manager? 

Operations managers can be at higher positions than project managers, but this is not always the case. They work as peers in many organizations, but operations managers may have broader authority when they oversee departments or long-term business functions. 

Which is better, operations management or project management? 

There is no objectively better field between operations management and project management. It depends on your strengths and goals. Operations management can be better for you if you enjoy optimizing systems and processes in the long term. Project management might be a better fit if you thrive on deadlines, variety and driving change. 

Can an operations manager be a project manager? 

Many operations managers can lead projects, especially process improvement initiatives. However, organizations often separate the roles to maintain focus and effectiveness.