projectproductmatige

Projectproductmatige is a management approach that blends project-based and product-based ways of organizing work. It aims to connect temporary, goal-driven project initiatives with enduring product teams and roadmaps so that short-term deliverables support long-term value creation. The term is used in Dutch management practice to describe a hybrid mode that seeks to balance the flexibility of projects with the continuity and ownership associated with products.

The concept arises from the need to reconcile different governance logics: project-centric approaches emphasize scope, time, and budget, while product-centric approaches focus on customer value, product lifecycle, and ongoing improvement. In practice, projectproductmatige organizations structure work so that projects contribute to product goals and roadmaps, while product teams maintain accountability for long-term outcomes beyond individual projects.

Core characteristics include dual governance and overlapping roles, where project managers coordinate delivery within defined timeframes and product owners maintain the product backlog and value proposition. Funding models often mix project-based financing with ongoing product investment. Organizations may implement cross-functional squads, align program milestones with product milestones, and integrate planning cycles (plan-build-operate) to ensure continuity from project kickoff to product operation.

Benefits cited for this approach include stronger alignment between short-term delivery and long-term value, clearer ownership, faster realization of customer benefits, and improved learning between projects and product teams. Challenges can involve governance conflicts, funding fragmentation, complexity in coordinating multiple teams, and the cultural shift required to sustain product ownership across project lifecycles.

Implementation considerations include starting with pilots, defining clear decision rights for both project and product perspectives, establishing a joint governance body, aligning metrics to value and impact, and fostering collaboration between project teams and product owners.