What is the difference between project and non-project materials?

Okay, so here’s the deal with “project” versus “non-project” materials. It’s kind of a pain, to be honest. Think of it this way: if it’s directly related to the project, like, say, the research data for that specific project, then it’s project material. Makes sense, right? But then there’s all the other stuff… Like, what if you stumble across an interesting article online while researching, but it’s not quite what you need for this project? Or what if you’re developing a new methodology that could be used for future projects, but isn’t actually part of the current one? That’s your non-project stuff. See what I mean? It gets a little fuzzy.

The really important thing – and I learned this the hard way, let me tell you – is to label everything correctly within 30 days. Seriously. I once forgot to label a bunch of research notes, and it was a NIGHTMARE trying to sort it all out later. Audits are no fun, and believe me, you don’t want that kind of stress. It’s like, why add more paperwork to our already overflowing plates? Isn’t the actual work of the project enough? Ugh. Anyway, labeling early saves you a world of hurt. Just do it. Trust me. It’s like that feeling when you finally clean your closet – painful at first, but oh-so-satisfying later. You know?