--- sidebar_navigation: title: Projects priority: 900 description: Introduction to projects in OpenProject. robots: index, follow keywords: open project, create project, projects introduction --- # Projects introduction Get an introduction how to work with projects in OpenProject. To start collaboration in OpenProject, you first have to set up a new project.
A **project** is defined as a temporary, goal-driven effort to create a unique output. A project has clearly defined phases, a start and an end date, and its success is measured by whether it meets its stated objectives. A project in OpenProject can be understood as a project as defined above. Also, it can be set up as a "workspace" for teams to collaborate on one common topic, e.g. to organize a department. | Topic | Content | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | [Open a project](#open-an-existing-project) | Select and open an existing project. | | [Create a new project](#create-a-new-project) | Create a project from scratch or use existing project templates. | | [View all projects](#view-all-projects) | Get an overview about all your projects. | | [Advanced project settings](#advanced-project-settings) | Configure further advanced settings for your project. | ## Open an existing project In order to open an existing project, click the **Select a project** button in the upper left corner of the header and select the project you want to open. You can also start typing in a project name to filter by the project's title. ![filter_for_project_in_header_menu](filter_project_header_menu.png) Projects and subprojects are displayed according to their hierarchy in the drop-down menu.
**Subproject** is defined as a child project of another project. Subprojects can be used to display a hierarchy of projects. Several filter options (e.g. in work package list and timeline) can be applied only to the current project and its subprojects.
![project_hierarchy](project_hierarchy-8178054.png) Also, you will see your newest projects on the application landing page in the **Projects** section. Here you can simply click on one of the newest visible projects to open it. ![open-project](1566292163068.png) ## Create a new project To create a new project, click the green button **+ Project** directly on the system's home screen in the **Project** section. ![Create-project-home-screen](Create-project-home-screen.png) Alternatively, you can use the green **+ button** in the header menu to create a new project. ![create-project-header](create-project-header.png) - You can either create a completely new project, create a subproject of an existing project or create a (sub)project from a template. For the latter option, choose a [template](../../user-guide/projects/#create-a-project-template) using the drop-down menu. - Enter a **name** for your project and click the blue **Create** button. - The **Advanced Settings** allow for further configuration, e.g. description, URL, etc. ![image-20200921122508132](image-20200921122508132.png) By default, creating a new project will set you as project admin, regardless of whether you copied a project, used a template or created a project from scratch. Now, you can get started working on your project. To configure further project information, see the documentation for [project settings](../../user-guide/projects/project-settings/project-information/). ### View all projects To view all your projects in which you are a member, click on the **View all projects** link in the **Select a project** drop-down menu. ![view_all_projects](view_all_projects.png) You will see a list with all your projects and their details. ![view all projects](1569490488827.png) ## Advanced Project Settings In our detailed user guide you can find out how to configure further [advanced project settings](../../user-guide/projects/) for your projects, e.g. description, project hierarchy or setting it to public.