According to the PMBOK® Guide, templates are a classic example of Organizational Process Assets (OPAs). OPAs are the plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization.
OPAs are grouped into two categories: Processes and Procedures and Corporate Knowledge Base. Templates fall under the " Processes and Procedures " category.
Standardization: Templates (such as for the Project Charter, WBS, or Risk Register) provide a standardized format that the organization has developed over time to ensure consistency across all projects.
Internal Control: Because they are created or adopted by the performing organization, the project manager is expected to use them as a starting point for project documentation.
Modification: Unlike some rigid policies, templates are often meant to be tailored by the project manager to fit the specific needs of their project.
A. Enterprise environmental factors (EEFs): These are conditions not under the control of the project team that influence, constrain, or direct the project. Examples include market conditions, organizational culture, or government standards. While a template influences the project, it is a tool provided by the organization for the project ' s use, not an external constraint.
B. Historical information: This is a sub-component of the Corporate Knowledge Base (which is part of OPAs). It includes documents and data from prior projects (like actual costs or lessons learned). While a template might be based on historical success, the template itself is a procedural asset.
D. Corporate knowledge base: This is the other half of OPAs. It stores " living " data like financial records, configuration management databases, and lessons learned. While the storage of a completed template might happen here, the blank template used for project work is a " Process and Procedure " asset.
A simple way to remember the difference for the exam:
EEF: Things that happen to the project (Internal or External).
OPA: Things provided for the project (Internal only).
