An HRP generally involves an ongoing series of meetings attended by a group of participants who are committed to involvement in a process, not a project. The distinction is subtle but important. A project usually has a beginning and end with clearly defined objectives. A process is "a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result" and is usually continuous.

The outcomes of an HRP are both strategic and tactical. The strategic components of the HRP process can help with the visioning and planning aspects of a successful dining and entertainment district, while the tactical outcomes can serve to organize existing resources, prioritize and carry out action steps, and aid in conflict resolution.