Project Management

The VariablesFor Success

Project Management

The VariablesFor Success

OutlineOutlineIntroductionPredicting Project SuccessProject Management EffectivenessExpectationsLessons LearnedUnderstanding Best Practices

IntroductionPredicting Project SuccessProject Management EffectivenessExpectationsLessons LearnedUnderstanding Best Practices

“Excellence” in Project Management can be defined as a continuous stream of successfully managed projects.

IMMATURITY MATURITY

Company Variables• Internal Metrics• Culture• Work flow

Project Variables• Time• Cost• Performance• Cust. Relations

Project Variables• Time• Cost• Performance• Cust. Relations

The Road To Maturity: Defining Success

Variables For Project SuccessVariables For Project Success

Predicting project success is one of the most difficult tasks facing the project manager.

According to Kerzner - most project managers look only at time, cost and performance. These parameters do not necessary identify whether or not the project was successfully managed although the deliverable was achieved.

Predicting project success is one of the most difficult tasks facing the project manager.

According to Kerzner - most project managers look only at time, cost and performance. These parameters do not necessary identify whether or not the project was successfully managed although the deliverable was achieved.

Predicting Project Success Predicting Project Success Project success is often measured by the

“actions” of three groups: Project manager and team The parent organization The customer’s organization

Project success is often measured by the “actions” of three groups: Project manager and team The parent organization The customer’s organization

Predicting Project Success -- Successful ActionsPredicting Project Success -- Successful Actions

Insist on the right to select key project team members.

Select key team members with proven track records in their fields.

Develop commitment and a sense of mission from the outset.

Insist on the right to select key project team members.

Select key team members with proven track records in their fields.

Develop commitment and a sense of mission from the outset.

Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)

Seek sufficient authority and a project organizational form.

Coordinate and maintain a good relationship with the client, parent, and team.

Seek to enhance the public’s image of the project.

Have key team members assist in decision making and problem solving.

Develop realistic cost, schedule, and performance estimates and goals.

Seek sufficient authority and a project organizational form.

Coordinate and maintain a good relationship with the client, parent, and team.

Seek to enhance the public’s image of the project.

Have key team members assist in decision making and problem solving.

Develop realistic cost, schedule, and performance estimates and goals.

Have key team members assist in decision making and problem solving.

Develop realistic cost, schedule, and performance estimates and goals.

Have backup strategies in anticipation of potential problems.

Provide a team structure that is appropriate, yet flexible and flat.

Go beyond formal authority to maximize influence over people and key decisions.

Have key team members assist in decision making and problem solving.

Develop realistic cost, schedule, and performance estimates and goals.

Have backup strategies in anticipation of potential problems.

Provide a team structure that is appropriate, yet flexible and flat.

Go beyond formal authority to maximize influence over people and key decisions.

Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)

Employ a workable set of project planning and control tools.

Avoid over-reliance on one type of control tool.Stress the importance of meeting cost, schedule,

and performance goals.Give priority to achieving the mission or function

of the end-item.Keep changes under control.Seek to find ways of assuring job security for

effective project team members.

Employ a workable set of project planning and control tools.

Avoid over-reliance on one type of control tool.Stress the importance of meeting cost, schedule,

and performance goals.Give priority to achieving the mission or function

of the end-item.Keep changes under control.Seek to find ways of assuring job security for

effective project team members.

Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)Predicting Project Success -- Successful Actions (Continued)

Predicting Project Success -- The Parent OrganizationPredicting Project Success -- The Parent Organization

A willingness to coordinate effortsA willingness to maintain structural flexibilityA willingness to adapt to changeEffective strategic planningRapport maintenanceProper emphasis on past experienceExternal bufferingPrompt and accurate communications

A willingness to coordinate effortsA willingness to maintain structural flexibilityA willingness to adapt to changeEffective strategic planningRapport maintenanceProper emphasis on past experienceExternal bufferingPrompt and accurate communications

Enthusiastic supportIdentification to all concerned parties that

the project does, in fact, contribute to parent capabilities

Enthusiastic supportIdentification to all concerned parties that

the project does, in fact, contribute to parent capabilities

Predicting Project Success -- The Parent Organization (Continued)Predicting Project Success -- The Parent Organization (Continued)

Selection of a concept that is not applicableSelection of wrong person as project

managerUpper amnagement that is not supportiveInadequately defined tasksMisused management techniquesProject termination that is not planned

Selection of a concept that is not applicableSelection of wrong person as project

managerUpper amnagement that is not supportiveInadequately defined tasksMisused management techniquesProject termination that is not planned

Causes for Failure of Project Management Causes for Failure of Project Management

Four key variables in measuring the effectiveness dealing with upper level management Credibility Priority Accessibility Visibility

Four key variables in measuring the effectiveness dealing with upper level management Credibility Priority Accessibility Visibility

Project management EffectivenessProject management Effectiveness

Top Management Expectations of Project ManagersTop Management Expectations of Project ManagersAssume total accountability for the success or

failure to provide results Provide effective reports and informationProvide minimum organizational disruption

during the execution of a projectPresent recommendations, not just alternativesHave a capacity to handle most interpersonal

problems

Assume total accountability for the success or failure to provide results

Provide effective reports and informationProvide minimum organizational disruption

during the execution of a projectPresent recommendations, not just alternativesHave a capacity to handle most interpersonal

problems

Demonstrate a self-starting capacityDemonstrate growth with each assignment

Demonstrate a self-starting capacityDemonstrate growth with each assignment

Top Management Expectations of Project Managers (Continued)

Top Management Expectations of Project Managers (Continued)

Project Management Expectations of Top ManagementProject Management Expectations of Top ManagementProvide clearly defined decision channelsTake actions on requestsFacilitate interfacing with support departmentsAssist in conflict resolutionProvide sufficient resources/charterProvide sufficient strategic/long-range

informationProvide feedback

Provide clearly defined decision channelsTake actions on requestsFacilitate interfacing with support departmentsAssist in conflict resolutionProvide sufficient resources/charterProvide sufficient strategic/long-range

informationProvide feedback

Give advice and stage-setting supportDefine expectations clearlyProvide protection from political infightingProvide the opportunity for personal and

professional growth

Give advice and stage-setting supportDefine expectations clearlyProvide protection from political infightingProvide the opportunity for personal and

professional growth

Project Management Expectations of Top Management (continued)

Project Management Expectations of Top Management (continued)

Project Team Expectations of Their Project ManagerProject Team Expectations of Their Project Manager

Assist in the problem-solving process by coming up with ideas

Provide proper direction and leadershipProvide a relaxed environmentInteract informally with team membersStimulate the group processFacilitate adoption of new membersReduce conflicts

Assist in the problem-solving process by coming up with ideas

Provide proper direction and leadershipProvide a relaxed environmentInteract informally with team membersStimulate the group processFacilitate adoption of new membersReduce conflicts

Defend the team against outside pressureResist changesAct as the group spokespersonProvide representation with higher

management

Defend the team against outside pressureResist changesAct as the group spokespersonProvide representation with higher

management

Project Team Expectations of Their Project ManagerProject Team Expectations of Their Project Manager

Project Manager Expectations of the TeamProject Manager Expectations of the TeamDemonstrate membership self-developmentDemonstrate the potential for innovative and

creative behaviorCommunicate effectivelyBe committed to the projectDemonstrate the capacity for conflict resolutionBe results orientedBe change orientedInterface effectively and with high morale

Demonstrate membership self-developmentDemonstrate the potential for innovative and

creative behaviorCommunicate effectivelyBe committed to the projectDemonstrate the capacity for conflict resolutionBe results orientedBe change orientedInterface effectively and with high morale

A sense of belongingInterest in the work itselfRespect for the work being doneProtection from political infightingJob security and gob continuityPotential for career growth

A sense of belongingInterest in the work itselfRespect for the work being doneProtection from political infightingJob security and gob continuityPotential for career growth

Project Manager Expectations of the Team (Continued)

Project Manager Expectations of the Team (Continued)