Assignment vs. Project: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 8, 2023
An assignment is a specific task or piece of work assigned to someone, while a project is a planned endeavor, usually involving research or design, which is completed over a period of time.
Key Differences
The words Assignment and Project, while closely related in some contexts, maintain distinct features in terms of depth, time-span, and purpose.
An assignment is typically a specific task or duty that is given to someone, often as part of their job or academic responsibilities. For instance, students might be given a math problem set or an essay topic as an assignment. On the other hand, a project usually entails a larger, often collaborative endeavor that aims at achieving a particular outcome or product.
For example, building a model volcano for a science fair would be considered a project. Projects often incorporate multiple assignments or tasks. Whereas assignments are straightforward and can be individual-based, a project could require extensive research, a timeline, and even a team to achieve the desired result. Assignments can be quick and might need completion in a day or a week, while projects are more long-term and might span weeks, months, or even years.
So, while every academic or professional endeavor could be seen as an assignment, not every assignment has the depth or breadth to be called a project.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Task or duty given to someone
A planned endeavor with a specific goal
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Duration
Typically short-term
Can be short to long-term
Complexity
Generally straightforward
Can be intricate and multifaceted
Collaboration
Can be individual or group-based
Often involves teamwork
Outcome
Completion of given task
Achievement of a specific goal or product
Assignment and Project Definitions
Assignment
A specific task given to a person or group.
Her assignment was to write an essay on Shakespeare.
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Project
An individual or collaborative enterprise that is planned to achieve a particular aim.
Their research project took two years to complete.
Assignment
A position or post to which someone is appointed.
His next assignment was in the finance department.
Project
To forecast or estimate something in the future.
The company projects a 10% growth this year.
Assignment
A task or piece of work allocated to someone.
Students received an assignment in history class today.
Project
To convey or communicate a particular impression.
He projects confidence in every meeting.
Assignment
The transfer of rights or property.
The assignment of the patent was recorded last week.
Project
An undertaking requiring concerted effort
A community cleanup project.
A government-funded irrigation project.
Assignment
The act of assigning
His assignment of the tasks seemed unfair.
Project
An extensive task undertaken by a student or group of students to apply, illustrate, or supplement classroom lessons.
Assignment
Something, such as a task, that is assigned
What's the math assignment for tonight?.
Project
A plan or proposal for accomplishing something.
Assignment
A position or post of duty to which one is assigned
The journalist took an assignment in China.
Project
Also projects A housing project.
Assignment
The transfer of a claim, right, interest, or property from one to another.
Project
To thrust outward or forward
Project one's jaw in defiance.
Assignment
The instrument by which this transfer is effected.
Project
To throw forward; hurl
Project an arrow.
Assignment
The act of assigning; the allocation of a job or a set of tasks.
This flow chart represents the assignment of tasks in our committee.
Project
To send out into space; cast
Project a light beam.
Assignment
The categorization of something as belonging to a specific category.
We should not condone the assignment of asylum seekers to that of people smugglers.
Project
To cause (an image) to appear on a surface by the controlled direction of light
Projected the slide onto a screen.
Assignment
(LGBT) The categorization of persons as belonging to the male or female sex.
Project
(Mathematics) To produce (a projection).
Assignment
An assigned task.
The assignment the department gave him proved to be quite challenging.
Project
To direct (one's voice) so as to be heard clearly at a distance.
Assignment
A position to which someone is assigned.
Unbeknownst to Mr Smith, his new assignment was in fact a demotion.
Project
(Psychology) To attribute (one's own emotion or motive, for example) to someone else unconsciously in order to avoid anxiety or guilt.
Assignment
(education) A task given to students, such as homework or coursework.
Mrs Smith gave out our assignments, and said we had to finish them by Monday.
Project
To convey an impression of to an audience or to others
A posture that projects defeat.
Assignment
(legal) A transfer of a right or benefit from one person to another.
The assignment of the lease has not been finalised yet.
Project
To form a plan or intention for
Project a new business enterprise.
Assignment
(legal) A document that effects this transfer.
Once you receive the assignment in the post, be sure to sign it and send it back as soon as possible.
Project
To calculate, estimate, or predict (something in the future), based on present data or trends
Projecting next year's expenses.
Assignment
(programming) An operation that assigns a value to a variable.
Project
To extend forward or out; jut out
Beams that project beyond the eaves.
Assignment
An allotting or an appointment to a particular person or use; or for a particular time, as of a cause or causes in court.
Project
To direct one's voice so as to be heard clearly at a distance.
Assignment
A transfer of title or interest by writing, as of lease, bond, note, or bill of exchange; a transfer of the whole of some particular estate or interest in lands.
Project
A planned endeavor, usually with a specific goal and accomplished in several steps or stages.
Assignment
A duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces);
Hazardous duty
Project
An urban low-income housing building.
Projects like Pruitt-Igoe were considered irreparably dangerous and demolished.
Assignment
The instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another
Project
(dated) An idle scheme; an impracticable design.
A man given to projects
Assignment
The act of distributing something to designated places or persons;
The first task is the assignment of an address to each datum
Project
A raw recruit who the team hopes will improve greatly with coaching; a long shot diamond in the rough
Assignment
(law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance
Project
(obsolete) A projectile.
Assignment
An undertaking that you have been assigned to do (as by an instructor)
Project
(obsolete) A projection.
Assignment
The act of putting a person into a non-elective position;
The appointment had to be approved by the whole committee
Project
(intransitive) To extend beyond a surface.
Assignment
The action of assigning or allotting something.
The assignment of duties was done by the manager.
Project
(transitive) To cast (an image or shadow) upon a surface; to throw or cast forward; to shoot forth.
Project
(transitive) To extend (a protrusion or appendage) outward.
Project
(transitive) To make plans for; to forecast.
The CEO is projecting the completion of the acquisition by April 2007.
Project
To present (oneself), to convey a certain impression, usually in a good way.
Project
To assume qualities or mindsets in others based on one's own personality.
Project
(cartography) To change the projection (or coordinate system) of spatial data with another projection.
Project
(geometry) To draw straight lines from a fixed point through every point of any body or figure, and let these fall upon a surface so as to form the points of a new figure.
Project
(neuroanatomy) (of a neuron or group of neurons) to have axon(s) extending to and therefore able to influence a remote location
Project
To speak or sing in such a way that one can be heard from a large distance away.
Project
The place from which a thing projects, or starts forth.
Project
That which is projected or designed; something intended or devised; a scheme; a design; a plan.
Vented much policy, and projects deep.
Projects of happiness devised by human reason.
He entered into the project with his customary ardor.
Project
An idle scheme; an impracticable design; as, a man given to projects.
Project
To throw or cast forward; to shoot forth.
Before his feet herself she did project.
Behold! th' ascending villas on my sideProject long shadows o'er the crystal tide.
Project
To cast forward or revolve in the mind; to contrive; to devise; to scheme; as, to project a plan.
What sit then projecting peace and war?
Project
To draw or exhibit, as the form of anything; to delineate; as, to project a sphere, a map, an ellipse, and the like; - sometimes with on, upon, into, etc.; as, to project a line or point upon a plane. See Projection, 4.
Project
To shoot forward; to extend beyond something else; to be prominent; to jut; as, the cornice projects; branches project from the tree.
Project
To form a project; to scheme.
Project
Any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted;
He prepared for great undertakings
Project
A planned undertaking
Project
Communicate vividly;
He projected his feelings
Project
Extend out or project in space;
His sharp nose jutted out
A single rock sticks out from the cliff
Project
Transfer (ideas or principles) from one domain into another
Project
Project on a screen;
The images are projected onto the screen
Project
Cause to be heard;
His voice projects well
Project
Draw a projection of
Project
Make or work out a plan for; devise;
They contrived to murder their boss
Design a new sales strategy
Plan an attack
Project
Present for consideration
Project
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Project
Put or send forth;
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
Cast a spell
Cast a warm light
Project
Throw, send, or cast forward;
Project a missile
Project
Regard as objective
Project
A specific plan or design.
The new housing project will start next month.
Project
To protrude or stick out.
The balcony projects from the building's side.
FAQs
Can the word "project" mean to stick out?
Yes, as in "a ledge projecting from the wall."
Which typically requires more planning: assignment or project?
Projects usually demand more extensive planning.
Is every project also an assignment?
Not necessarily, but every project could encompass several assignments.
Do projects always require a team?
No, projects can be individual or team-based.
Is every school task an assignment?
Most school tasks can be termed assignments, but some might be projects.
Can one project have multiple assignments?
Yes, a project can be broken down into multiple assignments or tasks.
Does an assignment always come from a higher authority?
Often, but not always. Self-assigned tasks are also assignments.
Is an assignment always academic?
No, assignments can be professional, personal, or academic.
Can a project be something intangible?
Yes, projects can produce tangible or intangible outcomes.
Can an assignment span several weeks?
Yes, although assignments are generally shorter, some can be long-term.
Can "project" mean to display or show?
Yes, as in "projecting a movie on a screen."
Which is generally more complex, an assignment or a project?
Projects are usually more complex and multifaceted.
Can a project involve physical construction?
Yes, like building a model or a structure.
Can "assignment" mean the transfer of rights?
Yes, like in legal contexts or property transfers.
What is the primary distinction between an assignment and a project?
Assignments are specific tasks, while projects are larger endeavors with specific goals.
Are projects always goal-oriented?
Typically, projects have specific goals or outcomes in mind.
How are assignments and projects graded differently?
Assignments might focus on task completion, while projects could assess process, teamwork, and final product.
Is an art piece a project or an assignment?
It could be either, depending on context. If given as a task, it's an assignment. If it's a personal endeavor, it's a project.
How do I know if I should call something a project or an assignment?
Assess its scope, duration, and complexity. If it's a large, multifaceted task, it's likely a project.
Can an assignment turn into a project?
Yes, if its scope expands or it evolves in complexity.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
