What distinguishes project from routine Operations?

Routine Operations are ongoing and repetitive, whereas projects are temporary and unique.

For example Say one needs to setup Restaurant service Chinese cuisine. The work involved will be:

• Setting up of Restaurant:: Purchasing/Leasing Land, Furniture, Doing the interiors
  
• Running the Restaurant: Cooking, Serving, Cleaning

Setting up of Restaurant will be termed as project, as the setup process will be temporary, i.e. end when the restaurant is setup and opened.

Day to Day running of Restaurant will comprise as Operations, as the work in ongoing and repetitive. Everyday Cooks will be cooking the dishes, waiters will be serving etc.