From version 4.0 cattaDoc's concept of projects in a broad sense, ie. project classes, has been aligned with the best practice guidance and principles from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the UK.
PRINCE2® - PRojects IN Controlled Environments version 2 - covering projects (in the more narrow sense) is the best known best practice contribution from OGC (in addition to ITIL) and is a de facto standard for managing projects. MSP® - Managing Successful Programmes - is a best practice framework for programmes, also from OGC.
These are the project classes in cattaDoc:
A portfolio is a set of programmes and projects within an organisation. It can be the total set of programmes and projects in the organisation or it can be a subset based on a part of an organisation or a subset based on a particular subject / topic.
A portfolio represents the complete picture of the organisation’s commitment of programme and project resources and investments to deliver its strategic objectives.
Project portfolio management (PPM) is the corporate, strategic-level process for coordinating successful delivery of change across an organisation’s entire set of programmes and projects. It is an ongoing business-as-usual function – a permanent activity of the organisation (contrary to programmes and projects which are temporary activities with a start and an end).
cattaDoc only covers the most basic elements related to portfolios and PPM - at least currently.
A programme is a set of related projects with a common strategic goal. This last emphasis as well as their temporary nature differentiates programmes from portfolios.
Programme Management is the co-ordinated management of a set of projects that change organisations to achieve benefits that are of strategic importance.
After the initial phases identifying and defining a programme, the actual management of programmes are divided into tranches, a group of projects structured around distinct step changes in capability and benefit delivery.
A project is a temporary organisation that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified business case.
Project management is the planning, monitoring and control of all aspects of a project and the motivation of all those involved in it to achieve the project objectives on time and to the specified cost, quality and performance.
After the initial phases starting up and initiating a project, the actual management of projects are divided into stages, defined by the Project Board.
A folder is an grouping or document management structure added for practical reasons. It is simply a flexible way of (sub-)organising any portfolio, programme, tranche, project or stage.
PRINCE2 calls it a "project filing system".
Folders in cattaDoc can also be used on their own, without any relationship to a portfolio, programme or project.