chatgpt-create-project
ITIAN ChatGPT Academy
Technology Simplified — Solutions That Work
Create and Configure a Project
Plan the workspace, choose its name and memory approach, create it in ChatGPT and check that it is ready for organised long-term work.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will have a correctly named practice Project and a clear structure for the work that belongs inside it.
Prepare
Define one purpose and boundary.
Choose
Review the memory decision before creation.
Create
Use New project and complete the setup.
Verify
Check the workspace and first chats.
Plan Before You Click “New Project”
Write one clear purpose
Complete this sentence:
“This Project exists to…”
Example: “This Project exists to plan, produce, test and maintain the ITIAN ChatGPT Academy.”
Then add one boundary: “Unrelated photography, household and financial questions do not belong here.”
Choose a recognisable identity
- Name: concise subject and outcome
- Icon: visually matches the subject
- Colour: distinct from neighbouring Projects
- Owner: person responsible for maintenance
- Review: a sensible weekly or monthly rhythm
Pause: choose the memory approach carefully
When the option is available, ChatGPT may ask whether the new Project should use project-only memory or default memory. OpenAI’s current guidance says project-only memory can be selected when starting a new Project; an existing default-memory Project cannot simply be converted later. A new Project is required.
- Project-only: chats can reference other conversations within that Project, but not conversations outside it; previously saved personal memories are not referenced.
- Default: the exact relationship with conversations outside the Project depends on the plan and workspace.
- Shared Projects: sharing changes the Project to project-only memory.
Do not guess for sensitive or workplace-controlled information. Review your organisation’s policy and continue to Lesson 4.5 for the full comparison.
Create Your Project Step by Step
Interface labels can vary slightly. These steps follow OpenAI’s current documented workflow.
Sign in and check the workspace
Confirm the correct account and, if applicable, the correct personal or organisational workspace. Projects require a signed-in account.
Select New project
Find New project in the ChatGPT sidebar and open the creation screen.
Enter the Project name
Use a short, searchable name such as “ITIAN ChatGPT Academy”, not a vague name such as “New ideas”.
Choose an icon and colour
Select visual markers that help you recognise the Project quickly in the sidebar.
Review the memory choice
If the creation screen presents memory options, read them before continuing. Choose deliberately rather than accepting a setting you do not understand.
Create the workspace
Finish the creation step and wait for the empty Project home to open.
Check the Project identity
Confirm the correct name, icon, colour, account and workspace before adding information.
Create one orientation chat
Start with “Project Plan and Decisions”. State the purpose, boundaries, proposed workstreams and immediate next action.
Recommended First Chat Structure
Do not place the entire Project into one conversation. Start with a small group of focused chats.
| Chat name | Purpose | Suggested first message |
|---|---|---|
| 01 — Project Plan and Decisions | Purpose, scope, milestones, decisions and next actions | “Help me review this Project purpose and create a milestone plan. Separate my decisions from your suggestions.” |
| 02 — Sources and Research | Review authorised files, links, evidence and open questions | “Create a source register. Mark what each source supports, its date and any verification needed.” |
| 03 — Production | Draft pages, documents, images or other deliverables | “Use the approved plan and sources. Preserve confirmed requirements and label placeholders.” |
| 04 — Quality Review | Testing, accessibility, fact checking and change control | “Review the output against the acceptance criteria. List evidence, defects and recommended fixes.” |
Numbering is optional—but useful
Numbered chat names keep workstreams in a stable order and make the Project easier to scan. Use a naming convention you can maintain consistently.
Interactive Project Setup Brief
Prepare a copy-ready brief before creating the Project. Do not enter confidential information into this training tool.
Verify the Empty Workspace
Complete this quick inspection before uploading files or inviting anyone.
Identity check
- Correct account and workspace
- Correct Project name
- Recognisable icon and colour
- Expected memory setting
- Private unless sharing is intentionally required
Structure check
- Purpose recorded in the orientation chat
- Boundary clearly stated
- Initial focused chats planned
- No credentials or sensitive test data
- External source-of-truth location identified
Common Setup Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New project is not visible | Wrong account/workspace, collapsed sidebar or workspace restriction | Confirm account and workspace, refresh the app, then ask the workspace administrator if managed access is restricted. |
| Project-only memory is missing | Memory prerequisites, plan/workspace settings or rollout differences | Review Personalization and workspace Memory settings; do not assume every interface is identical. |
| The name is confusing later | It describes a mood rather than the subject and outcome | Rename it using organisation + subject + purpose. |
| Unrelated chats keep appearing | The Project boundary is too broad | Split unrelated work into separate Projects or ordinary chats. |
| A chat cannot be moved | It may not be eligible; chats created with a GPT cannot be moved according to current guidance | Start a new chat inside the Project and bring over only authorised, necessary context. |
Recommended: 16:9, captioned, showing account check, New project, naming, icon, colour, memory choice and verification.
Future screenshot plan
- Correct account and workspace
- New project in the sidebar
- Name, icon and colour controls
- Memory selection screen
- New empty Project home
- First orientation chat
Refresh screenshots whenever the interface or labels change.
Practical Activity: Create a Practice Project
Use a non-sensitive learning or personal Project. Complete all items before moving to Project Instructions.
Quick Knowledge Check
Answer all five questions before continuing to Lesson 4.3.
Lesson Summary
Seven ideas to remember
- Define one purpose and boundary before creating the Project.
- Confirm the correct account and workspace.
- Use New project, then choose a clear name, icon and colour.
- Review the memory option during creation because project-only is not a simple later conversion.
- Verify the empty workspace before adding information.
- Create several focused chats rather than one endless conversation.
- Start with a non-sensitive orientation chat that records purpose and next actions.
Official Source and Further Reading
Content reviewed: 15 July 2026. Project creation screens, memory prerequisites and labels can vary by plan, device, workspace and rollout.